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How to Handle Create an Index in Word Step by Step
When create an index in word leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
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Part
1
Marking Your Entries
1
Change how the word or phrase appears in the index.
You'll see the word or phrase you selected in the "Main entry" field at the top of the window. As of now, this is how that word or phrase will appear in the index you'll be creating. If you want to change the wording, capitalization, or other parameters, you can do so by editing the text in the "Main entry" box.
- You'll see the word or phrase you selected in the "Main entry" field at the top of the window.
- As of now, this is how that word or phrase will appear in the index you'll be creating.
- If you want to change the wording, capitalization, or other parameters, you can do so by editing the text in the "Main entry" box.
- You'll see the word or phrase you selected in the "Main entry" field at the top of the window.
- As of now, this is how that word or phrase will appear in the index you'll be creating.
2
Add a subentry (optional).
Think about main entries as being their own lines in your index. A subentry would appear below its main entry in the index. It might be helpful to go through your document and create main entries first, and then go back and add subentries.
- Think about main entries as being their own lines in your index.
- A subentry would appear below its main entry in the index.
- It might be helpful to go through your document and create main entries first, and then go back and add subentries.
- Think about main entries as being their own lines in your index.
- A subentry would appear below its main entry in the index.
3
Choose the location referenced in the index entry.
When Word builds an index based on your marked entries, it will simply list the page number on the entry you selected by default. For example, if you highlighted the word "Surnames" on page 2, the index will list "page 2" as the location of the Surnames entry. This is because "Current page" is the default selection in the "Options" section.
- When Word builds an index based on your marked entries, it will simply list the page number on the entry you selected by default.
- For example, if you highlighted the word "Surnames" on page 2, the index will list "page 2" as the location of the Surnames entry.
- This is because "Current page" is the default selection in the "Options" section.
- When Word builds an index based on your marked entries, it will simply list the page number on the entry you selected by default.
- For example, if you highlighted the word "Surnames" on page 2, the index will list "page 2" as the location of the Surnames entry.
4
Click Mark
to save your new entry. This button will mark the highlighted term and add it to your index with its corresponding page number, range, or cross-reference.
- to save your new entry.
- This button will mark the highlighted term and add it to your index with its corresponding page number, range, or cross-reference.
- to save your new entry.
- This button will mark the highlighted term and add it to your index with its corresponding page number, range, or cross-reference.
- to save your new entry.
5
Continue marking entries.
The "Mark Index Entry" window stays open after you mark an entry, which makes it easy to move to the next entry you want to mark. To continue, highlight another term in your document, and then click the "Mark Index Entry" window to add it to the "Main entry" field. After customizing this entry to your liking, click Mark to save it and move to the next.
- The "Mark Index Entry" window stays open after you mark an entry, which makes it easy to move to the next entry you want to mark.
- To continue, highlight another term in your document, and then click the "Mark Index Entry" window to add it to the "Main entry" field.
- After customizing this entry to your liking, click Mark to save it and move to the next.
- The "Mark Index Entry" window stays open after you mark an entry, which makes it easy to move to the next entry you want to mark.
- To continue, highlight another term in your document, and then click the "Mark Index Entry" window to add it to the "Main entry" field.
Part
2
Inserting the Index Page
1
Select your index type.
You can select Indented or Run-in at the top-right corner of the window. An indented index will be easier to navigate for readers, whereas a run-in index will take up much less space on the page.
- You can select Indented or Run-in at the top-right corner of the window.
- An indented index will be easier to navigate for readers, whereas a run-in index will take up much less space on the page.
- You can select Indented or Run-in at the top-right corner of the window.
- An indented index will be easier to navigate for readers, whereas a run-in index will take up much less space on the page.
- You can select Indented or Run-in at the top-right corner of the window.
2
Choose the number of columns.
Your index will appear in two columns by default, but you can select a different number by clicking the up or down arrows next to the "Columns" field.
- Your index will appear in two columns by default, but you can select a different number by clicking the up or down arrows next to the "Columns" field.
- Your index will appear in two columns by default, but you can select a different number by clicking the up or down arrows next to the "Columns" field.
- Your index will appear in two columns by default, but you can select a different number by clicking the up or down arrows next to the "Columns" field.
- Your index will appear in two columns by default, but you can select a different number by clicking the up or down arrows next to the "Columns" field.
- Your index will appear in two columns by default, but you can select a different number by clicking the up or down arrows next to the "Columns" field.
3
Select an index design from the "Formats" menu.
This drop-down menu is below the Print Preview image. Select any of the designs from the drop-down menu to customize your index's appearance.
- This drop-down menu is below the Print Preview image.
- Select any of the designs from the drop-down menu to customize your index's appearance.
- This drop-down menu is below the Print Preview image.
- Select any of the designs from the drop-down menu to customize your index's appearance.
- This drop-down menu is below the Print Preview image.
Part
3
Editing Index Entries
1
Press the F9
key on the keyboard. Depending on your keyboard, you may have to press the Fn key as well to use the F9 key. This updates the index to reflect your changes.
- key on the keyboard.
- Depending on your keyboard, you may have to press the Fn key as well to use the F9 key.
- This updates the index to reflect your changes.
- key on the keyboard.
- Depending on your keyboard, you may have to press the Fn key as well to use the F9 key.
Community Q&A
Be the first to ask a question about this guide.
References
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-and-update-an-index-cc502c71-a605-41fd-9a02-cda9d14bf073
- https://www.cambridge.org/authorhub/application/files/4615/2052/5699/Indexing.pdf
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/create-and-update-an-index-cc502c71-a605-41fd-9a02-cda9d14bf073
- https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/ms-word/index-in-ms-word/
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/show-or-hide-tab-marks-in-word-84a53213-5d02-404a-b022-09cae1a3958b
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