"This is the best index I have ever seen in a computer book.
—Author
There are many formatting and style options available for indexes. The density of the index is usually the first thing to consider in decisions on style. An average index has three to five entries per printed page, and a light index only one to two. A detailed index typically has from six to nine per page, and an exhaustive index will have ten or more.
- Density of index?
- Format: indented or run-in?
- Sort order: word-by-word or letter-by-letter?
- Capitalization of entries: initial capital or lowercase unless proper noun?
- Number of levels for subheadings?
- Separators between group heads?
- Page locators: full or elided (abbreviated)?
- Cross-reference style and location?
- Indexable matter to include: figures/illustrations, footnotes, glossary, and/or front matter?
- Index size limitations?
The categories here describe some of the most common options that need to be considered. Looking at examples of each of these options often helps in understanding which options are appropriate your project.
Run-in format
Bias: length bias, 76, 109–110; non-random error, 75, 88; parameter uncertainty and, 231; recall bias, 100, 288–289; systemic bias, 57, 75, 161; as type of error, 56–57
Indented format
Bias:
length bias, 76, 109–110
non-random error, 75, 88
parameter uncertainty and, 231
recall bias, 100, 288–289
systemic bias, 57, 75, 161
as type of error, 56–57
Letter-by-letter sorting
database
data selection
data type
Newark
newspaper
New York
Word-by-word sorting
data selection
data type
database
New York
Newark
newspaper
Main heading lowercase unless proper noun
database
data selection
data type
Newark
newspaper
New York
Inital capital for main heading
Data selection
Data type
Database
New York
Newark
Newspaper
Elided (abbreviated) page locators (one option)
Bias:
length bias, 76, 109–10
recall bias, 100, 288–9
as type of error, 56–7
Full page locators
Bias:
length bias, 76, 109–110
recall bias, 100, 288–289
as type of error, 56–57
Cross-reference locations
cars. See also automobile production
history of 100, 288–9
types of, 76, 109–10
cars
history of 100, 288–9
types of, 76, 109–10
See also automobile production
cars
See also automobile production
history of 100, 288–9
types of, 76, 109–10
Cross-reference styles and punctuation
cars. See automobiles
automobiles (see cars)
Motorized vehicles, see Cars
