Insert Footnotes in a Word Document

When you’re working on an academic paper, it's important to cite your references, give explanations, and make comments. It's easy to add footnotes in Microsoft Word for Windows and as well as footnotes in Microsoft Word for the Mac. Word automates the process so the numbering is always correct. Plus, if you make changes to the document, Word automatically moves the footnotes to the correct pages.

How to Insert Footnotes in Microsoft Word

To insert footnotes in Microsoft Word:

1. Place the cursor in the text where you want the footnote mark located. You don't need to type the number. That is done automatically.

2. Select the References tab.

3. In the Footnotes group, choose Insert Footnote. This places a superscript number in the text and moves the cursor to the bottom of the page.

4. Type the footnote and add any formatting.

5. To return to your place in the document, double-click the number or symbol at the beginning of the footnote.

How to Remove a Footnote in Microsoft Word

When you want to remove a footnote, highlight its reference number in the text and press the Delete key. Microsoft Word automatically renumbers the remaining footnotes.

Footnote vs. Endnote

Microsoft Word generates both footnotes and endnotes. The only difference between the two is where these elements appear in the document. A footnote appears at the bottom of the page containing its reference number. Endnotes appear at the end of the document. To place an endnote, go to the References tab and select Insert Endnote.

To convert a footnote to an endnote, right-click the footnote at the bottom of the page and select Convert to Endnote. To convert an endnote to a footnote, right-click the endnote and select Convert to Footnote.

PC Keyboard Shortcuts for Footnotes and Endnotes

Use the following Windows PC keyboard shortcuts to insert footnotes and endnotes in a Microsoft Word document:

• Press Alt+Ctrl+F to insert a footnote.
• Press Alt+Ctrl+D to insert an endnote.

How to Customize Footnotes and Endnotes

After you create footnotes and endnotes, change the formatting and layout of these elements by following these steps:

1. Go to the References tab and, in the Footnotes section, select the More Options icon.

2. In the Footnote and Endnote dialog box, select the options you want. Choose between footnotes and endnotes, numbering format, custom marks and symbols, a starting number, and whether to apply the numbering to the whole document.

3. Select Insert to apply the changes.