Indexing

[Samakimoto Graphics]

I've never had to develop an index for a publication. Most of the writers I've delt with simply go for a glossary of terms. But since I've moved into reports and the like, I've come across indexes.

Is there an easy way to develop an index for a large publication?

[Riya]

Yes indeed, I did this in high school for the yearbook. 300+ pages, 900 students, every student indexed every time that student was pictured/mentioned, plus all the major topics like math, football, etc.

It probably won't help you for me to tell you how I did that because we were using Pagemaker *shudders*, but tell me what layout program you are using and I will try and help.

[Riya]

I just read that last post and I'm not even sure what it means. Sorry, it really early in the morning here. Anyway.... It's all in the help menu for whatever layout program your are using. Basicly the idea is you go through the text and tag whatever you want indexed, the computer stores the name and page number (it is VERY important to have everything numbered correctly) then you generate the index... it pops out a text box with all the info in it for you to format to your heart's content. Changes made after that point are kind of a pain in the arse, but maybe one of the newer programs has some new features... I don't know, indexing isn't one of my first choices for things to play around with when I'm bored.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Indesign CS 2

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Thanks. I just recently also upgraded from Quark to Indesign...

[urstwile]

Sama,

There's an extensive amount of information available in the Help for InDesign CS2 (what I use as well). Rather than try to spell it out for you, you should look there.

Specifics on adding index entries can be found by searching "To add an index entry" in the help, but there are lots of other topics on indexing as well.

I figured it would be easier to steer you in that direction than to try to explain in a reply to a thread. :)