Creating an Overall Index for an InDesign Book

[mikejasinski]

I have a large project where each chapter is a InDesign file and its "managed" in an InDesign book. Very standard book production. TOC of the whole book is easy. But how do I incorporate an overall index? I don't see an option. Like in the TOC setting it says "Include Book Documents". Thanks in advance!

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[Mike Witherell]

First, patiently build an Index in the Index panel.

Then, generate an index using the Index panel.

Flow that text onto an index page or pages.

Add it to the Book document list of documents.

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/creating-index.html

[mikejasinski]

Thanks! So I just didn't go far enough into generating the index to see that there is a book checkbox.

Next question is, I have the previous index id file and I thought I'd be able to use those topics and have indesign find those in the documents. But I don't think it works that way, correct? I have still have to add an index marker for every single location/word, correct?

Was hoping that having the list from years ago was actually gonna help. 

[Mike Witherell]

Having searched for a word to Index, you can click on Add All. But both developing a word list and working through it in the Index Panel is a patient editorial work. Once in place, tho, the generating of the Index text is very quick.

There are plugins that can move faster:

https://creativepro.com/alternatives-indesign-indexing/