Among the disadvantages is the fact that the process of embedding can be time-consuming and tedious (neither InDesign nor Microsoft Word make this process efficient) however, software to help the indexer with the embedding process is now available (we use Index Manager). There are some disadvantages that limited the use of embedded indexes. PDF Index from InDesign Embedding methods It’s an efficient option for books that are often updated. The index can be regenerated at any time so that correct page numbers will be displayed in the back-of-book printed index. Having the entries within the content allows the locators (often page numbers) to shift if the text moves from one location to another in the process of editing or revision.
With tags marking the entries, publishing software such as InDesign or word processing programs like Microsoft Word can generate an index to be displayed in the back of the book. Embedded indexes have been around for decades, but they’ve been quite clunky until just a few years ago. The embedded index is an index where the entries have been inserted into the content of the book.