Why can't I insert an index?

[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!

 

[Klaus Linke]

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

 

[Klaus Linke]

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

 

[Ange]

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.

 

[Klaus Linke]

That brings up the old "index" entry, which looks like a mess. But it's
not
close to the one I created.

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.

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

 

[Ange]

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