# .save index command (Runoff)

The .save index command saves entries
defined in previous .index commands in the specified file reference,
using the item-ID of the current Runoff item. The file reference of
the index must be different than the current file reference to avoid
destroying data. This command causes chapter and page number information
of indexed data in a text to be saved in a separate file. Each index
entry is stored as an individual item using the index entry as the
item-ID, the chapter (where that index entry is referenced) as the
first attribute and the page number as the second attribute. Multiple
values are stored in these attributes as multiple references to the
same index entry. The resulting file may then be operated on by the
AQL processor to generate listings for the chapter and page number
information of all indexed data in a text. The .save index command
is placed in the text item itself and must precede the .index commands.
Only indexed data that has been preceded by the .save index command
is saved in the specified file.

## Syntax

```
.save index file.reference
```

## Parameter(s)

| file.reference | Specifies the file where the chapter and page information resides. Warning: This must be a separate file from the text file. Otherwise data in the text file will be destroyed. |
| --- | --- |

## See also

- [.index command (Runoff)](https://d3codex.com/runoff/dot-index-command-runoff/)
- [Runoff commands](https://d3codex.com/runoff/runoff-commands/)

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Source: https://d3codex.com/runoff/dot-save-index-command-runoff/ - part of the D3Codex reference.