Create one index from multiple books

[Rachel-BFC Communications]

I have two InDesign Book files--volume 1 and volume 2. I need to create an index in the back of volume 2 that includes entries from both books. 

I already have the references marked in each volume. I just need to know how to generate the index combining the two indexes into one. I know this is possible because the previous editor of these volumes was able to do it. I just don't know HOW he did it. 

[Scott Falkner]

You would need to combine all the InDesign files into one book to generate the index at once. But there is nothing stopping you from copying the index generated from one book and pasting it before or after the index in the other book.

[Rachel-BFC Communications]

Ok, thank you. I was wondering if this was the only way to do it. Thanks!

[Barb Binder]

Hi Rachel:

This is an interesting question that I haven't contemplated before in InDesign. In FrameMaker, you can add books to books, so you can create a volume with individual books and make an index for everything, but that's not a feature of InDesign.

So the only idea I have is to create a third book (call it volume.indb) and add all of the chapters from both individual books into it. The index markers are going to come in with the chapters. You'll need to keep an eye on the numbering (page and paragraph) so that each book to make sure they are incrementing correctly. 

But by putting all of the indd files into a single volume/book, you can create an index from all the chapters.

If you open the original books, you can update numbering if necessary, and can work with those again too.

~Barb

[Rachel-BFC Communications]

Thank you!  I was thinking this might be the only way to do it. 

[Robert Tkaczyk]

INDD file keeps no info about Book it is part of - so you can use the same INDD file in multiple Books.

You just need to keep track of page numbers.

[Rachel-BFC Communications]

Oooh...thank you. I didn't realize that. That makes sense. Thank you! I'm new to InDesign so I appreciate everyone's feedback. 

[Barb Binder]

That's what I was trying to say here, Rachel, but Robert did a better job of clarifying it. 

If you open the original books, you can update numbering if necessary, and can work with those again too.

~Barb