The following examples reflect only a few of the many choices that can be made when selecting an indexing style. Once the indexing contract has begun, email communication between inDocs inDexing and the author will confirm indexing style preferences.
House style is the set of indexing guidelines provided by a publisher to an author. Different publishing houses will have different requirements for their deliverables. For example, the house style of one company will require that the index be alphabetized letter-by-letter and another will prefer word-by-word. The house style of one publishing house will state that there be only one level of subheadings, while another publisher is fine with sub or sub-sub levels. inDocs inDexing will work within the guidelines of any house style submitted by an author or editor.
Chicago style means following the guidelines of the Chicago Manual of Style. When the author is not required to follow a particular house style, inDocs inDexing adheres to Chicago style.
Indexes formatted in indented style place each subheading in its own line. Users find this style easiest to read. However, indexes for scholarly works are often presented in run-on style in which subheadings share lines and are separated by semi-colons. Run-on style is the best choice for longer indexes, as this saves space.
In order to save costs and reduce index size, front and back matter is excluded from indexing. This means information from the foreward, introduction, and appendices will not be reflected in the index. However, if it is felt that omitting information from these sections would compromise the integrity of the index, a deluxe style can be used, meaning that the full array of a book's contents will be represented.
Authors requesting scripture indexes should state whether they prefer the index to follow Protestant or Catholic book order. Decisions should also be made as to whether or not to include apocryphal texts.