A recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed in which video signal and indexing signal are separately recorded in video signal areas and subcode areas, respectively, of diagonal tracks formed on a tape by a rotating head. The apparatus has a tape driver for driving the tape, add/erase command keys for generating add/erase command to add/erase the indexing signal, an indexing signal control for setting and resetting the indexing signal, and a recording device for recording the video signal to the video signal area and, if any, the indexing signal to the subcode area of each track. An editing control is provided for controlling the indexing signal control in response to the add/erase command such that the indexing signal is first recorded as a reset state for a first predetermined amount and then recorded as a set state.