[current]

I refuse to use MS Word and there must be a better alternative:

I need a simple software that will let me create a list of headings of paragraphs I am writing and add/adjust/remove those automatically in a table of contents.

I am writing a manual for an open source software but I just want to focus on the task a hand, not having to manually update the table of contents after every session.

Any suggestions anyone?

[Cold Warrior]

NeoOffice?

[current]

I looked at Neo-office but isn't there something lighter like Macjournal for making table of contents for a text document? I will actually give Neooffice a try, thank you!

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by current 

I am writing a manual for an open source software but I just want to focus on the task a hand, not having to manually update the table of contents after every session.

Any suggestions anyone?

Why do you need constant updating ? In Word, it's just one right-click away.
Btw, maybe Words OutlineView would work better to structure the document first, then fill in the meat

Other than that, I think what you are looking for is a software that reads your mind and does it all automagically.

-t

[Mithras]

You might consider it too fussy, but LaTeX is the go-to standard.
A more WYSIWYG alternative is the very elegant and Maclike Nisus Writer Pro.

[peeb]

Pages will do this, for sure.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Mithras 

You might consider it too fussy, but LaTeX is the go-to standard.

Suggesting LaTeX to someone who is already confused by Word is a funny thing.

-t

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Suggesting LaTeX to someone who is already confused by Word is a funny thing.

-t

I don't know that the OP is "confused by Word," per se. He just says he "refuses" to use it. I believe that this refusal is also explained by him: he's writing a manual for open-source software.

God forbid he use something closed source (gasp!) like Word.

But, as others have stated, there are alternatives that may be simpler to use.