How to Create an Index
A Formatting Tutorial
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Index Creation
• When publishing a book, you can choose to purchase Index
Creation, one of the many self publishing services we provide.
• If you purchase Index Creation, be sure to create a list of words you
would like us to include in the index.
– Quick tip: When submitting your list, be sure to put any or all
variations of the entry in parentheses after the entry. If you do not
include these variations, they many not show up in your index.
• If you wish to create an index yourself, be sure to construct it
correctly.
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Create Your Own Index
• If you decide to create your own index, extra production charges
could apply if you do not do it in the correct way.
• This tutorial will show you to add an index to your book using
Microsoft Word.
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Mark the Index Entry
• Find the first word you would like to appear on your index and
highlight it.
• Then, simultaneously press Alt, Shift and X on your keyboard. This
brings up the Mark Index Entry dialogue box.
• This dialogue box lets you choose how the entry will appear in your index.
– For example: If the entry is a proper name, you may want to put the last
name first.
• Under Options, select Current Page. At the bottom of the box, you have the
option to select Mark or Mark All.
– If this is the only time you want the entry indexed, select Mark. If you
wish to have it indexed for every instance of the entry, select Mark All.
• If you are viewing the manuscript in Show Formatting Mode, a script tag will
appear after your entry. It is important not to edit or delete these tags.
• If you do not want to see these tags, view your manuscript in Hide Formatting
Mode.
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Inserting an Index
• Once you have finished marking the index entries, choose where you
want the index to appear.
• Go to ‘Insert’ on the top toolbar. Under Reference, go to Index and
Tables.
• Once this dialogue box has come up, you can generate a template for
how you want the index to appear. We recommend the classic
template, two columns. Click Okay.
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Updating an Index
• The index is easy to update and change.
• If you continue to add an entry after it is visible in your manuscript,
click on the index table. It will turn grey. Right-click on the index and
select Update field.
• It is important to not change the text in the index itself.
• Do not delete text in the index. Instead, go to the page where the entry
resides in your manuscript. Make sure you are in Show Formatting
Mode.
• Find the script tag you wish to remove and delete it.
• Click on your index again. Right-click and Update Field.
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Ready for the Book Publisher
• If you have completed the index in this way, your indexing fee may be
waived.
• Congratulations! Your indexed book is ready to be sent to literary
agents and book publishers.
If you have any questions, please contact an AuthorHouse representative at
888.519.5121 and we would be happy to assist you.
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