diff --git a/autoload/vimtex/index.vim b/autoload/vimtex/index.vim
index 2d102c4..7249d2d 100644
--- a/autoload/vimtex/index.vim
+++ b/autoload/vimtex/index.vim
@@ -62,12 +62,16 @@ function! vimtex#index#create(index) " {{{1
     unlet FnVal
   endfor
 
-  if g:vimtex_index_resize
-    silent exe 'set columns +=' . g:vimtex_index_split_width
+  if g:vimtex_index_split_pos ==# 'full'
+    silent execute 'edit' escape(a:index.name, ' ')
+  else
+    if g:vimtex_index_resize
+      silent exe 'set columns +=' . g:vimtex_index_split_width
+    endif
+    silent execute
+          \ g:vimtex_index_split_pos g:vimtex_index_split_width
+          \ 'new' escape(a:index.name, ' ')
   endif
-  silent execute
-        \ g:vimtex_index_split_pos g:vimtex_index_split_width
-        \ 'new' escape(a:index.name, ' ')
   let b:index = a:index
 
   setlocal bufhidden=wipe
diff --git a/doc/vimtex.txt b/doc/vimtex.txt
index d8277e1..b4fe580 100644
--- a/doc/vimtex.txt
+++ b/doc/vimtex.txt
@@ -545,7 +545,10 @@ Options~
   Default value: 1
 
 *g:vimtex_index_split_pos*
-  Define where index windows should be opened.
+  Define where index windows should be opened. This is a string that contains
+  either the word 'full' to open in the current window, or any of the position
+  commands, i.e. one or more of |:vertical|, |:leftabove|, |:rightbelow|, |:topleft|,
+  and |:botright|.
 
   Default value: 'vert leftabove'