Indexing in Microsoft Word

Indexes

An index can be inserted at the end of a document to show the pages where certain words or phrases appear in the text. This is often used in books. When a reader wants to find out where in a document a certain topic is contained, they can check the index for information.

1. Create a new document and type the following:

Ways to fit in Activity into the Day

Low energy, tiredness, lack of enthusiasm, time constraints and wavering interest are all common barriers to taking part in regular physical activity. With many people’s lives overrun with errands, chores, tasks mounting to the ceiling, fitting in time for exercise let alone having the energy to start can seem almost impossible. For many, exercise can be seen as boring. Another mundane activity about as exciting as watching grass grow. The thought of doing any type of exercise beyond stretching to reach the remote can seem like work. However, there are many simple and effective ways to squeeze in some physical activity into your daily routine without having to lift weights in the gym or pound the treadmill for hours on end. You don’t have to be super fit to be healthy.

2. Highlight the word “physical” in the paragraph

3. In the Index group, click on Mark Entry

4. Type in “exercise” for Subentry

5. Check the Italic checkbox

6. Click on Mark All

7. In the Index group select Insert Index

8. Highlight the word “activity”

9. Click on Mark Entry in the Index group

10. Under Options click on Cross-reference

11. After See type in “exercise”

12. Click on the Mark button

13. Insert a Page Break at the end of the document

14. Type “Index”

15. In the Index group, select Insert Index

16. In Formats choose Classic

17. Click OK

18. An index at the end of the document has been created

19. Change the word 'activity' to 'exertion' in the document

20. Right-click on the index and select Update Field to update an index or press the F9 key

21. The index has been updated

22. Save the document as “Index”

To learn more about advanced Microsoft Word features, click on the book cover below: