A method for facilitating creation and managing of partitioned table indices of a table object of a first partitioning type includes steps of: automatically looking up a table and its partitioning type definition; retrieving the table index and all indices defined for that table object, and their definitions; presenting to a user at least a portion of the table index in a single set of index alter screens; receiving from the user an alter request in the form of a screen option; performing validity checking on the screen option, based on the index type. If the screen option is not compatible with the index type, the method automatically overrides the screen option with one that is compatible, and issues a diagnostic message. If the screen option is valid for the index type, the user is notified about the changes that will be made and the effect of those changes. Data definition language statements are then generated consistent with the screen options.