How to add multiple links in manual index

[patricial11703047]

Hi,

I have a book file containing many chapters. The last chapter is in fact an index created outside InDesign, so entries are not linked to the page it comes from. Is there a way to add links on page numbers automatically? Maybe a script?

The index looks like this :

    An index entry     2-4; 4-45

    Another index entry     9-1; 5-14; 10-1

    Another one 3-33

As you can see, each page number also have a prefix.

I have many hundreds of entries like this. It will take too much time if I have to add links one by one on each page number. Is there a way to do it faster?

Thanks a lot!

[Barb Binder]

Hi Patricia:

Unfortunately that's not how to make an index and InDesign, nor is there any easy fix. The correct way to make an index is to add index markers to the content first, and then let InDesign generate the alphabetical list of markers for you, complete with hyperlinks and the prefix, if defined. As the text reflows during edits, you simply regenerate the updated index.

Overview: https://www.creativebloq.com/indesign/design-simple-index-indesign-5132666

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

You could add manual hyperlinks to your numbers, but if the text reflows, the hyperlinks will update, but the actual numbers will not. For example:

An Index Entry, 2–4; 4–45

So someone might click on 2–4, but the hyperlink takes them to An Index Entry which is now on page 2–6. That would be very confusing. I would suggest stepping back, starting over and doing it correctly. 

~Barb

[patricial11703047]

Hi Barb,

I know it's not the usual way of doing an index in InDesign. I use to do indexes by adding index markers but it was a very long process. I use to spend an entire week just to add markers. In order to save time, it is now done by a professionnal indexer who will send me the complete index in a rtf format. As the objective of this operation was to save time, going back to adding markers one by one is not an option.

Thanks etheirway for your answer!

[Mike Witherell]

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/lists_indexes.html

https://www.id-extras.com/products/liveindex/