## 2.4. Using the `indexterm` editor

This dialog box, displayed by menu item Topic → Insert or Edit indexterm, allows to edit the selected `indexterm` element if any, or to create a new `indexterm` element and then insert it at caret position otherwise.

Note that this editor does not allow to modify `indexterm` elements which are invalid, inconsistent or simply too complex. In such case, you'll have to revert using the normal editing tool (Edit tool, Attributes tool, etc) in order to modify such `indexterm` elements. However, this `indexterm` editor is sufficiently powerful to fulfill the vast majority of needs.
We'll explain with examples how to use the `indexterm` editor.

- If you want to get this kind of entry in your back of the book index:

      P
      Pet 12

  specify Term\Primary=`Pet`.
- Back of the book index:

      P
      Pet
          Cat 26

  specify Term\Primary=`Pet`, Term\Secondary=`Cat`.
- Back of the book index:

      P
      "+" 54

  specify Term\Primary=`"+"`, Sort As\Primary=`plus`. Without this Sort As specification, the index entry corresponding to `"+"` would have been found in the Symbols category:

      Symbols
      "*" 53, 78
      "+" 54
      "-" 55, 91-95
      ...

- Back of the book index:

      D
      Domesticated animals 34 See also Pet

  specify Term\Primary=`Domesticated animals`, See Also=`Pet`.
  Note that the content of the See Also field must refer to an existing index entry. That's why instead of typing "`Pet`", you can select this index entry by using the dialog box displayed by the Pick from list button found at the right of the See Also row.
  It is possible to specify up to two See Also entries for a Term.
- Back of the book index:

      F
      Felis catus See Pet, Cat

  specify Term\Primary=`Felis catus`, See\Primary=`Pet`, See\Secondary=`Cat`. (In the above example, notice that `Felis catus` has no associated page number.)
  Like See Also, the content of the See field must refer to an existing index entry. Unlike See Also, a See entry is merely a redirection to an actual index entry.
- Back of the book index:

      O
      Operation
          Additive
              "+" 87-90

  1. Insert a first `indexterm` element at the beginning the range (this will give us page number 87).
     In order to do that, use Topic → Insert or Edit indexterm and specify Term\Primary=`Operation`, Term\Secondary=`Additive`, Term\Tertiary=`"+"`, Sort As\Tertiary=`plus`.
     Then check Range/Start and give your range an identifier by specifying "`plus_reference`" in the Range field.
  2. Insert another `indexterm` element at the end the range (this will give us page number 90).
     In order to do that, use Topic → Insert or Edit indexterm, check Range/End and specify the same identifier, "`plus_reference`", in the Range field. All the other fields must be left blank.
     Note that instead of typing "plus_reference" in the Range field, you can select this identifier by using the dialog box displayed by the Pick from list button found at the right of the Range row.

### Related information

‣ The "Insert or Edit indexterm" menu item