Building an Index In Word (and all the best bits they don't tell you)

In this video I share how to build a dynamic Microsoft Word index (i.e. one you can update automatically without having to rebuild it) using the Mark & Index method.

A Word index allows the reader to search for a specific word or phrase, normally in alphabetical order and go straight to the relevant page (or pages).

Marking index entries inserts field codes into your document making it very messy so I walk through how to clean things up and maintain your index going forward.

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USEFUL LINKS:
Written guide:

Part 1 of 3 (this video): How to build an index page in Word using 'mark and index'

Part 2 of 3: How to build an index page in Word using a concordance file

Part 3 of 3:How to format and organise your Word index like a pro

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ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Jason Morrell helps people of all levels to leverage the power of Microsoft Office. Delivering training since 2002, he loves to simplify the hard stuff and provide helpful, actionable advice that has been proven to slash hours from daily computer tasks. Jason lives with his wife and 4 kids on the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

LET'S CONNECT!

Have a fantastic day!

[JasonMorrell]

Write your questions or feedback below. I respond to every one.

[CHROME]

I hunted all over to get info on adding an Index to my document. I got all sorts of useless info until I got here. Thank you, thank you. I look forward to continuing to watch your series of tutorials. Great job!

[davidmichael]

One of the most exhaustive content I've found on "Indexing". Good work.

[juliesteiner]

really thorough and easy to follow...simplified wonderfully. thank you

[petermitchell]

Hi Jason, thank you for the clear instructions for indexing using a concordance file. And in a lovely familiar Austtralian accent!

[joemolyson]

This video taught me how to do a Word book index in less that 15 minutes. Wonderful stuff, well done!

[gracedeman]

Thank you very much. Like the other chap, I searched all over and your's is the one that gave me the information that I was looking for. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 😄

[silkytp]

Outstanding job. Well organized (outline), expertly delivered, professional editing. My friend, _THAT_ is how you deliver valuable content. I know a thing or two about content delivery so... well, right on.

[bobcata]

Jason, Thanks for your immediate response to my inquiry about several Index subentries in Word. You saved me at least more days of frustration. I consulted Microsoft and talked with several techs about why there is no way to Index Photos. All of those entries have to be restricted as Figures; that's not the way I write my manuscripts. I number and caption all my Photos. Any rate, the techs admitted, there is no way to include Photo topics in Word in an Index. Also, you are right about being restricted to a Table of Contents.

[nbvirtualassistant]

Thank you! I'm taking my Word Expert exam and Indexing was the only feature I was struggling with, as it isn't a feature that I have previously used. This video has made it easy for me to understand the methodology and the procedure.

[Katietoo]

Thank you so much, your clear and simple explanations of index-making will be a great help. No more looking blankly at my MS Index screen! :-)

[anikavanderaa]

Great and calm explanation. Thank you for being thorough.

[CarolNankinga]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm watching while indexing, and it's very helpful.

[ComprehensiveContext]

Excellent presentation! I wasn't aware that capitalized versions of the word (for example, when the word appears at the beginning of a sentence) would be excluded. Thanks for a well-organized lesson.

[eileenoreilly]

Well done, Jason. Best instructive video I found. Looking forward to viewing #2 and #3.

[elliekordas]

This is very helpful. I am indexing my own book and I am so glad I found this. On to the next video on concordance. Big thumbs up!!

[poeterritory]

Great video. I love that it's straight to the point. Thank you.

[GetReal]

Jason, thank you so much. This is very helpful. I look forward to viewing your video on concordance files.

[wonky_shoebox]

Thank you, using this for my first college report and unlike other tutorials I have watched it makes total sense! All along videos looked easy but when I actually did as instructed it would mess up my report

[debradejong]

I am using your videos to supplement my Word course. Thanks!