A Comparative Evaluation of Professional Book Indexing Software: Capabilities, Limitations, and Future Directions
Devendrappa T M, B. S Biradhar
International Journal of Information Studies, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6025/ijis/2026/18/1/1-22
Link: https://www.dline.info/ijis/fulltext/v18n1/ijisv18n1_1.pdf
Abstract:
The paper provides a comparative analysis of five professional indexing software tools CINDEX, MACREX,
SKY Index, TExtract, and Index Manager evaluating their capabilities across 30 features grouped into seven
categories: System Functionality, Indexing Process, Structure and References, Editing Tools, Quality Control,
Output/Integration, and Automation vs. Manual Indexing. The significant findings reveal that Index Manager
is the most well rounded, excelling in quality assurance, backup flexibility, spelling/error checking (using
AI), and template support, though slightly limited in machine readable output formats. CINDEX stands out
for its superior formatting control and broad compatibility with machine readable output. TExtract offers
strong multilingual support and exceptional character support via LaTeX, along with robust backup features.
SKY Index performs well in the structured production but is constrained by Windows only compatibility and
limited subheading depth. MACREX lags, offering a fully manual workflow with minimal automation suitable
only for expert indexers who prefer granular control. The study concludes that while indexing tools have
advanced significantly, there remains no universal standard for multilingual or regional language indexing,
highlighting a critical gap for future development. We emphasize the ongoing irreplaceability of human
indexers, particularly in producing high quality, context aware book indexes, and express skepticism about
AI's near term ability to match professional indexing standards.