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How To Auto Index in A Word Document

An index in a Word document collects keywords and concepts from the document in a list to help readers quickly find relevant information. The document describes creating an index automatically using a separate concordance file listing index entries and their corresponding page numbers. The process involves creating a concordance table, indexing the main document to mark matches with the concordance, and generating the index at the end of the document. Updating the index keeps it current when changes are made in the document.

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Sams Raja
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228 views3 pages

How To Auto Index in A Word Document

An index in a Word document collects keywords and concepts from the document in a list to help readers quickly find relevant information. The document describes creating an index automatically using a separate concordance file listing index entries and their corresponding page numbers. The process involves creating a concordance table, indexing the main document to mark matches with the concordance, and generating the index at the end of the document. Updating the index keeps it current when changes are made in the document.

Uploaded by

Sams Raja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Auto Index in a Word Document

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An index collects words and concepts in a convenient list.


An index gives readers a way to quickly find words, concepts or images within a document. The
author can create the index with Microsoft Word and provide the page numbers on which the
index entries can be found. Word gives the writer two ways of indexing a document, automatic
and manual. The automatic process requires a separate file called a concordance, which lists the
items to be indexed in the main document. The concordance is a two-column list.
Difficulty:
Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
 Microsoft Word
1. Creating the Concordance
o 1
In Word, click "Table," "Insert," "Table" and select "2" columns.
o 2
Type words or phrases you want the index to mark and record in column one. Type words or
phrases you want to appear in the index in column two.
o 3
Place the cursor in any of the table cells. Click "Table," Convert" and "Table to text." Select
"Tabs" under "Separate text with."
o 4
Save the file in the same folder as the main document.
2. Indexing the Main Document
o 1
Type the main document. Select (highlight) the entire document.
o 2
Click "Insert," "Reference" and "Index and Tables." This opens a menu with tabs at the top.
o 3
Select the "Index" tab. Click "AutoMark" at the bottom of the menu. A window will open
showing the files in that folder. Select the concordance file created previously. This will signal
Word to create markings for all the words that match those in the concordance file.
o 4
Place the cursor at the bottom of the main document or wherever the index is to be located. Click
"Insert," "Reference" and "Index and Tables." Click "OK." The index will be generated
directly below the cursor point.
o 5
Place the cursor anywhere inside the index list. Right-click and select "Update Field" when
changes are made in the document to keep the index current.
Tips & Warnings
 Insert a blank page at the end of the main document. Type "Index" and hit "Enter" one or
two times. Position your index below this.
 Save the document and its concordance in the same folder. Do not change the name of the
concordance file.

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