diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index afaae7e..6f0e6cd 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ The panels also respond to these control messages:
 * "scroll_step" will immediately advance the last-displayed message by one character.  Omit the above automatic scrolling keywords, and use ONLY this keyword instead if you want to let your LuaController control the scrolling speed.
 * "get" will read the one character (as a numerical character value) currently displayed by the master panel (by reading its node name)
 * "getstr" will read the last-stored message for the entire lineup/wall (from the master panel's meta), respectively.  Note that even if the message has been or is being scrolled, you'll get the original stored message.
+* "getindex" will read the scroll index position in that message
 
 If you need vertical scrolling, you will have to handle that yourself (since the size of a screen/wall is not hard-coded).
 
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index fcc09b3..5c42e6a 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -205,6 +205,8 @@ local on_digiline_receive_string = function(pos, node, channel, msg)
 				digiline:receptor_send(pos, digiline.rules.default, channel, tonumber(string.match(minetest.get_node(pos).name,"led_marquee:char_(.+)"))) -- wonderfully horrible string manipulaiton
 			elseif msg == "getstr" then -- get the last stored message
 				digiline:receptor_send(pos, digiline.rules.default, channel, meta:get_string("last_msg"))
+			elseif msg == "getindex" then -- get the last stored message
+				digiline:receptor_send(pos, digiline.rules.default, channel, meta:get_string("index"))
 			else
 				led_marquee.set_timer(pos, 0)
 				meta:set_string("last_msg", msg)