Word 2016 does not appear to recognize my document's index

Question

Hi:

I have a large document with many index ("XE) entries.  What would be many accurate page reference numbers have changed as I have edited the document heavily.  So, I want to update the index, for the first time.  So, I go to References/Index.  I see "Mark Entry," "Insert Index," and "Update Index."  However, the "Update Index" button is grayed-out and therefore not available.  It appears to me that WORD does not recognize that I have an Index in this document.  However, to repeat, I have made "XE" (index) entries in the document, which I thought would produce an accurate Index.  Before I can update the Index, WORD will first of course have to recognize that it exists.  How can I make WORD see the index entries in my document, so that I can then proceed to update it?  What am I missing here?  I will appreciate advice.

Answer 1

Hi,

That would have done it. It may have been overkill.

An Index in Word is a field. The F9 Key updates fields in the selection.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions or require further help.

Regards

Answer 2

More about making an index:

http://www.addbalance.com/usersguide/complex_do...

More about fields.

http://www.addbalance.com/usersguide/fields.htm

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Answer 3

Hi:

I have a large document with many index ("XE) entries.  What would be many accurate page reference numbers have changed as I have edited the document heavily.  So, I want to update the index, for the first time.  So, I go to References/Index.  I see "Mark Entry," "Insert Index," and "Update Index."  However, the "Update Index" button is grayed-out and therefore not available.  It appears to me that WORD does not recognize that I have an Index in this document.  However, to repeat, I have made "XE" (index) entries in the document, which I thought would produce an accurate Index.  Before I can update the Index, WORD will first of course have to recognize that it exists.  How can I make WORD see the index entries in my document, so that I can then proceed to update it?  What am I missing here?  I will appreciate advice.

I was just told that I can simply select all the text and hit F9 and that will update my index.  I did so and it appeared to work.  However, I am wondering if I am still missing something.