Semantic indexing is a way of coding digital texts and images to represent their associated abstract meanings in database form. Databases encoded in this way enable users to answer complex questions and provide multiple, organized, summary views of their contents. In this article, the author discusses the techniques used in creating a semantically indexed database and provides examples of the utility thereby gained. The author examines the differences between traditional indexing and semantic indexing, and provides insight into the methodology of semantic indexing, using examples.