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A
arildeugen
Participant
September 16, 2017
Answered

Not able to import a list of topics to make en index. The files with the list are grayed out.

  • September 16, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 6103 views

I am using InDesign CC 2017 on a Mac with Sierra. I want to make an Index in a book I am making, and have a list of topics. But InDesign does not recognize the files with the list in all formats I have tried. I have done it in older versions of InDesign, but not able to do it now. The manual for InDesign just says select Impot Topics and the file with the topic. But I am not able to do it.

      Correct answer Barb Binder

      This is not well-documented. To import topics into a new document do one of these two things:

      1. Index panel menu > Import Topics and select another InDesign file that already has a topic list or
      2. Place your list in the file, select all the text and tap Cmd+Opt+Sh+[ (on Windows tap Ctr+Alt+Sh+[ ) to load the list into the Index panel and then delete the text block from the page.

      5 replies

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      Participating Frequently
      February 13, 2024

      This does not work. Changing keyboard to US, selecting topics list pasted in an INDD block and pressing Ctrl-Alt-Shift-[ does nothing. I'm building a 1200+ words index, this is sorely needed. PLEASE HELP.

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        Participating Frequently
        February 13, 2024

        This index feature is a half-catastrophe, actually... See https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/index-fixes.html

        N
        Nedlaw
        Legend
        December 7, 2020

        Barb Binder to the rescue once again!

          I
          ianvectis
          Participant
          January 22, 2020

          Version 15.0.1

           

          Does not work. Are you sure you have outlined the steps correctly and completely? Is 'tapping' the Cmd-Op-Shift keys with the text selected meant to make it magically appear in the Topics list in the dialog box? Do you have to select the 'Import Topics' in the drop down menu? Honestly, the indexing feature in InDesign is a complete mess, with shoddy documentation.

            Srishti Bali
            Community Manager
            Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
            Community Manager
            November 21, 2017

            Hi arildeugen,

            Please update the discussion if the issue is resolved or if you have any further query.

            Regards

            Srishti

            Barb Binder
            Community Expert
            Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
            Community Expert
            September 17, 2017

            This is not well-documented. To import topics into a new document do one of these two things:

            1. Index panel menu > Import Topics and select another InDesign file that already has a topic list or
            2. Place your list in the file, select all the text and tap Cmd+Opt+Sh+[ (on Windows tap Ctr+Alt+Sh+[ ) to load the list into the Index panel and then delete the text block from the page.
            ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
              A
              arildeugenAuthor
              Participant
              September 18, 2017

              OK, I had to switch to US keyboard to make it happen. Great, thanks! Do you also know how to activate the Add All button in the New Topic window? Now I only have an Add button and it only shows the list had to create til topics. If I delete the list before creating an Index, it finds nothing.

              Barb Binder
              Community Expert
              Barb BinderCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              September 19, 2017

              Do you also know how to activate the Add All button in the New Topic window?

              Add All isn't available for Topics—it's only available for References. The Add All option is a way to index all occurrences of a specified term in a document or a book. When you click Add All, InDesign creates index markers at every occurrence of the words selected in the document. If text isn't selected the button will not be available.

              You'll find the answers to both of your current questions, and any others you may think of next here:

              Create an index in InDesign

              ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
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