Can you create an automatic ʼTable of Contentsʼ for parts in SolidWorks?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in SolidWorks, you can create an automatic table of contents for parts by using a bill of materials in a drawing or assembly workflow. This is the most common professional method for listing part names, item numbers, and quantities automatically. Limitation: it does not work as a standalone “Table of Contents” command for arbitrary files.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: A bom only updates correctly if your assembly structure and custom properties are clean. If part names, configurations, or excluded components are inconsistent, the table of contents can show wrong item counts or misleading descriptions.

How to Create an Automatic Table of Contents for Parts

  • Command: Bill of Materials

  • Shortcut: None by default

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open the assembly drawing, then go to Insert > Tables > Bill of Materials.
    2. Select the drawing view tied to the assembly and choose a BOM type such as Top-level only or Parts only.
    3. In the BOM PropertyManager, enable the needed columns such as Item Number, Part Number, and Quantity, then place the table in the drawing.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: BOM Type

  • Expert Setting: Use Parts only when you want a clean parts list that behaves most like a table of contents. Use Top-level only if you only want major subassemblies listed. Also verify Follow assembly order if you need the table to match the FeatureManager structure.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The BOM is attached to the wrong drawing view or a view that references the wrong configuration, so the listed parts do not match the intended assembly state.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The table may be placed on a locked drawing sheet format layer or controlled template zone, making it appear uneditable or preventing clean updates.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Components marked Exclude from Bill of Materials or parts with missing custom properties will not populate as expected, causing an incomplete or unclear table.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Right-click the component in the assembly, open Component Properties, and clear Exclude from bill of materials if a part is missing from the table.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use a BOM when the goal is a professional, updateable parts table tied to an assembly. Avoid it if you need a document-style contents page for unrelated files rather than modeled components.

FAQ

Can I make the table update automatically when parts are added?
Yes, the BOM updates when the drawing and assembly rebuild correctly.

Can I show custom properties like material or description?
Yes, add BOM columns linked to those part custom properties.

Can I create a table of contents from a part file alone?
No, the standard automatic method is assembly-based, typically through a drawing BOM.

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