What are the uses in the directory extraction?

I think I understand the question now.

If you use InDesign's TOC feature, you can do quite a few things to control the order and style of the generated TOC, but it has to follow a regular pattern or structure. It's very difficult to get variations in that structure or have a different order generated automatically. The advantage is that the TOC can be easily updated with new (added or removed) elements and associated page numbers.

If you want a nonstandard TOC, something more highly styled or arranged, you can do it one of two ways—

First, you can do it entirely manually. This would be a significant task the first time, but changes as you refine the editing and layout should be minor. It will need one final close check before you send the project to print or distribution. The contents and page numbers will not be automatically updated and wil depend on manual corrections.

Second, you can build a nonstandard TOC as above, and use Cross-References for the page number anchors and links. This will not add or remove elements automatically, but all changes that move the TOC elements from page to page will be tracked by the cross-reference link.

Does that point you in a useful direction?