InDesign can't alphabetize proper names correctly.

[andrewr79167794]

For example, it lists Vanderpoole before Van Dyne. I had to put a nonbreaking space to keep Van Dyne out of the D section.

[Jeffrey_Smith]

How are you alphabetizing, with the SortParagraphs script? When using this script, my test results work correctly.

[andrewr79167794]

I was just using the index generating function. Ah! It works. Thanks very much!

[Barb Binder]

Hi Andrew:

Details help us help you faster. Are you using the script that comes with InDesign? If yes, did you try disabling Ignore Spaces?

~Barb

[andrewr79167794]

Thank you. This is very clear.

[Barb Binder]

Well, wait. These are two different features. Are you indexing, or sorting lists? If indexing, you want to fix the topic reference, otherwise you will have to fix the index after each update.

~Barb

[andrewr79167794]

True, but I can finish the index and then sort it with the sortparagraph function at the end.

[Barb Binder]

Ok. I'd probably go with the non-breaking space, but either way, you have a solution. Happy weekend!

~Barb

[Eugene Tyson]

non-breaking space to fix would be my solution too 

Find

\u\l+\K +(?=\u)

That should find a space between an

Upper case followed by lowercase (+ indicates all lowercase letters when following the \l

there's a blank space there but you could use \h 
as here \u\l+\K\h+(?=\u)

that would be any horizontal space (including tabs so be careful)

and (?=\u) is to look ahead for an upper case letter

So it should find all instances of 

Xxxxx X

and replace with non breaking space

[Peter Kahrel · Accepted solution]

If you use the index then you should handle sort problems using the sort-order field (in the New Topic window). For some applications, see 

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/index-fixes-sorting.html