In the past I have read (and believed as gospel) that it is not possible to
modify the styles if you use any formatting other than "From Template."
Others have said that they were successful in modifying the styles in the
Distinctive or Simple or whatever TOCs. Your problem, however, seems to be
just a matter of making a selection of formatting other than "From Template"
stick? If all else fails, just note or copy the formatting of the TOC styles
you like (Distinctive or Simple or whatever) and apply them to the TOC
styles in the "From Template" setting.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
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WG; "LI" WG, wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I want to change the format of a document's Table of Contents. In the
'Index
and Tables' window, I change the setting from 'From Template' to
'Distinctive' or 'Simple'. The new table is created, I'm satisfied.

I close the file and save changes.

When I re-open the file. The TOC has reverted back to the one I thought I
changed!

Does this have to do with the 'From Template' setting, or is there
something
else I should be looking for? The headings are listed correctly, but the
formatting of the table I have here is not pleasing to the eye.

Help me change this for good, please. Any advice is most appreciated.