Workaround to create index in pages?

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Workaround to create index in pages?

Over the years, many people have asked if there is a way to create an index in Pages? ( A proper index is not the same as a table of contents).

There doesn’t appear to be any sign that Apple is going to add that feature. Are there any third party apps which can be used to index a lengthy Pages document? A key feature would be that page numbers must be dynamically adjusted when pages are inserted or deleted.

Alternatively is there a different reasonably affordable Word Processor for iPad which can be used to create the entire indexed document and then export it into Pages?

iPad, iPadOS 17

Posted on Aug 6, 2024 10:26 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 6, 2024 11:56 AM in response to Alän

Pages is closed source so no third parties are gaining access to add features, and if you look at how LibreOffice Writer or MS Word do indexing, any index-destined text must be marked in some fashion so the indexing procedure knows what goes into the index.

There will be no third-party word processing software for the iPad that can export to Pages document format. It would need to export to a Word document and if that Word document contained features (e.g. indexing) that are unsupported by Pages, then that content is removed during the Word to Pages translation process.

On the iPad, stick with a word processing choice and format (e.g. MS Word) that can generate and retain an index in an industry-acceptable document format. If an index is a must, then forget about Pages.

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