1 - Introduction ~5 mins
Welcome
Build your placement report shell: cover, headings, page numbers, and an automatic contents list.
By the end you will:
- Make a cover with a page break and heading styles
- Keep the cover blank and number the body from 1
- Insert and update an automatic table of contents
Warm-up
What helps you jump to one section in a long report fast?
2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins
| Concept | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cover and page break: title on page 1; body after | Title first; body stays clean to write | Oakwood cover; notes on page 2 |
| Skip-cover page numbers: body shows 1; cover blank | Teachers quote body pages, not the title sheet | Cover blank; notes page shows 1 (Start at 0) |
| Automatic table of contents: from Heading 1 | Jump to a section without scrolling | Click Skills I used to jump there |
| Update the list: after add or rename | A stale list sends people to the wrong place | Add a section, then refresh the list |
3 - Step-by-step Task: Cover, Page Numbers and Contents ~25 mins
Build a sample report template for a vet clinic placement. Follow the steps for your suite.
What you are aiming for
Cover lines, page break, six Heading 1 sections with prompts, table of contents on page 2, page numbers that leave the cover blank and show 1 on the first body page, rename one heading, update the list.
Why Start at 0: The cover still counts as a page even when its number is hidden. Start at 0 makes the first body page show 1 instead of 2.
Sample cover
Work Experience Placement Report
Aoife Murphy
Oakwood Veterinary Clinic, Killarney
12 to 16 January 2027
Six sections (Heading 1 title, then one Normal prompt line each)
- About the workplace: Where I was based and what the place does
- My daily tasks: What I did on a typical day
- Skills I used: Skills I practised, with a short example
- What surprised me: One thing I did not expect
- What I would do differently: One change I would make next time
- Would I work here? My honest answer and why
4 - Common Issues ~3 mins
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Contents list empty or missing a section | Apply Heading 1 to each title, then update the list |
| Number still on the cover | Turn off first-page number in footer tools (Word) or untick Show on first page (Docs) |
| Body page shows 2 instead of 1 | Set Start at to 0 if available; otherwise 2 is fine |
| New or renamed section missing from the list | Heading 1 on the title, then Update Table, refresh icon, or re-insert the list |
5 - Portfolio Build: 09_report_template ~12 mins
Independent Practice
1. Reopen {{code:09_report_template}} only. Do not create a second file with that name.
2. Personalise the cover with your name, placement and dates.
3. Keep the six prompted sections. Add a seventh Heading 1 section you invent, with one Normal prompt under it.
4. Update the table of contents so all seven sections appear.
5. Re-check: cover has no number; body starts at 1 when your suite allows it.
If stuck: in Word for the web, use Update Table on the References tab, the footer tools to hide the first-page number, and Start at 0 if shown. In Docs, use the contents refresh icon, and page numbers with Show on first page off and Start at 0. See Common Issues.
- Cover shows title, your name, placement and dates, then a clean page break
- Six prompted sections plus one you chose all use real Heading 1 styles
- Page numbers skip the cover; body starts at 1 when the suite allows
- The table of contents lists all seven sections after you update it
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