Indexing in FrameMaker — Challenges and Opportunities

Indexing in FrameMaker can feel frustrating and time-consuming — especially when under the pressure of a deadline.

Challenges

Indexing in FrameMaker presents new challenges to the technical communicator:

coding of complex FrameMaker index entries
editing the embedded index entries
formatting the index to improve readability
managing document files during the indexing process

Opportunities

Despite the difficulties of indexing in FrameMaker, you can achieve real benefits too:

ability to get started indexing before the final proofreading and formatting are completed
hypertext linking of the index entries
ability to revise the FrameMaker document later while being able to "recycle" most of the indexing work

Where you need the flexibility or the hypertext linking, indexing in FrameMaker can lead to happier users who, in the end, can better find the information they’re looking for.

Fred Brown
Allegro Technical Indexing
fred.brown@allegrotechindexing.com
(613) 728-9373

June, 2000
Allegro Time!