Why can't I insert an index?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ange
  • Start date Start date
A

Ange

I use Word 2007 and have a 150+ page document. I have manually marked over
300 entries, some with subcategories and others with cross references. When I
try to insert an index, it asks me if I want to override an existing index
(which there isn't one?) and then it does *nothing*.

I have followed step-by-step the instructions in the Microsoft Word help
file and it won't do anything. This is beyond frustrating both my coworker
and I, and she even went so far as to manually create an index, by hand,
which took her days.

Is there something I'm missing? I'm going through it all, step-by-step. It
just won't do much of anything. And, if there was a previous index, how do I
clear it? Any help would be MUCH appreciated... thanks!
 
Hi Ange,

If Word says there's an index, let's first assume it's right <g>...
What happens if you use GoTo (Ctrl+G), then "Field > INDEX"?

If you see the field code { Index ...}, use Ctrl+F9 to toggle the view.

Regards,
Klaus
 
Don't see my reply yet... but it had a mistake:
Use Alt+F9 to toggle the view between field codes and field results, not
Ctrl+F9.

Klaus
 
That brings up the old "index" entry, which looks like a mess. But it's not
close to the one I created. I assume it won't let me create a new index while
the old one still exists. So, it does exist.
 
Ange said:
That brings up the old "index" entry, which looks like a mess. But it's
not
close to the one I created.
Click to expand...

Well you said you were asked whether you wanted to replace the existing
index.
:-)
Did you replace it?
I assume it won't let me create a new index while
the old one still exists. So, it does exist.
Click to expand...

Why would you assume that? Allow Word to replace the existing one.
Or delete it and create a new one if you want to.

If it still looks a mess, you'd need to tell in what way.
When you insert the index, you can explore the dialog for all the formatting
options.

Or is there's something wrong with the individual entries?

Regards,
Klaus
 
Actually, it worked. And to get the formatting I needed, all I had to do was
'update index'. Thank you!
 
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