Word: Create index - how it works

Creating a keyword index in Word requires extensive preparation, but the directory itself can be created quickly. We'll show you how to add a keyword index to your document.

Index in Word: Mark keywords

Before you can create a keyword index, you have to go through your document and mark all the words that should appear in the keyword index. Note that you should only mark important keywords. All the words you mark appear with a page or cross-reference in the index. If you mark the same word in different places, all individual places are referred to in the index.

1. Select a word you want to add to the directory. For example with a double click.
2. On the References tab, under Index, click Set Entry.
3. In the new window, you can determine whether the current page, a page area or another keyword (cross-reference) should be referred to.
4. Click on "Set, only the highlighted word is recorded in the index. Click on" Set all "to include all instances of the keyword in the document.
5. Go through all the keywords in your document.

Insert keyword index in Word

If you have marked all keywords, you can create the directory:

• Click on the desired position in your document (usually at the end of the document) and select "Insert index" under "Index" in the "References" tab.
• In the new window you can define a format, right-justify the page numbers and set the desired number of columns.
• Click "OK" to insert the directory. If you add a new keyword, you can update the directory by right-clicking on it and choosing "Update fields".

On the next page we will show you how to insert a table of figures in Word.