Index: Number Style Overrides in Books
Number style overrides are ignored when an index is generated in a separate document in a book file. The script fixes this.
This script is part of the Indexes and Concordances collection. See the full collection here.
This script is part of the Book Panel collection. See the full collection here.
Number style overrides set in the New Page Reference dialog (or the Page Reference Options dialog) work fine when the document’s index is generated in the document: the selected character style (Principal reference in the screenshot) is applied to all the relevant page numbers.
However, when you generate the index in a separate document as part of a book file, the overrides are ignored: they aren’t applied in the book index. This script fixes that.
Use
The script has no interface, just run it from InDesign’s Scripts panel.
Open just one book file (scripts can’t tell which is the active book if two or more books are open). Generate the index in the index document as usual and save the index. You can have more than one index in the book – each in its own document, of course.
Run the script against the book. No documents need to be open, not even any index.
The script applies the requested character styles to all pages numbers in all indexes. When the script’s done the index document stays open, but it’s not saved.
Version history
23 Dec. 2025: Posted.
Peter Kahrel Script Repository
Hosted as a community service, and with deep appreciation, by CreativePro.com
Scripts by Topic | Script Index
Basic Script Installation and Use
How to Modify or Configure These Scripts
Resources for Scripting and Publishing Automation
About This Repository
Contact Peter Kahrel
Note to users: You run scripts at your own risk: CreativePro and the author accept no liability for anything that may be caused by any of these scripts. Always take the necessary precautions. We encourage you to save backups and test scripts on copies of your documents.
This article was last modified on August 22, 2026
This article was first published on January 29, 2026
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
Recommended for you
Moving Side-tabs Using Only One Master Page and Chartwell Bars
Colin Flashman devises a clever technique with section markers, anchored objects...
GREP Style Report
Print a report of all GREP styles defined in a document's paragraph styles (CS4...
Customizing InDesign’s Placeholder Text
Tired of Lorem Ipsum for your placeholder text? Or, rather, InDesign’s ran...