How to Insert Footnote in Word? (Step by Step)

This is an step by step guide based on how to insert footnote in Word with complete information.

Footnotes are considered to be the notes that are given right at the bottom of the page. They mention the source or testimonials of the content. It can also be a comment that you want to add or write down at the end of your page concerning the above text or word.

You can even add a character or a metaphor in between the paragraph and then republish the character below to explain the matter or state your comment straightaway in your footnotes.

For instance, insert a character such as “1” right at the end of your sentence or between your paragraph whichever you want.

And then specify it within the footnote. In such a way, you could easily add a footnote to make it look easy to understand. You can either add comments to your footnotes.

What are Exactly Footnotes in Word?

Footnotes can be denoted as a symbol or character as stated above. However, the real footnotes are written just below your page. While a reader encounters the character of a footnote at the end of a sentence of the given content.

Then you may start looking for the explanation of that particular footnote right below the page of your content.

You may also start reading the whole paragraph and then may approach the footnotes in word. This looks easier to the reader as the quote or references are explained at the end of the page.

Footnotes are written at the end of the relevant page. Footnotes are citations of sources that are written down at the end of the words and that are needed to be referred correctly.

Footnotes are interesting as they are viewed as sources of the context provided. They provide numerous information about a particular word or sentence.

With the help of footnotes, a reader can explore more information such as the origination of the particular word, time, date, meaning and roots of that word. It may also refer to different sources from which a reader can gather detailed information.

However, that completely depends on you and your guide whether or not you would like to add footnotes in word or not. You may also look for some citation style to add footnotes in word.

How to Add a Footnote Character in Word?

If you want to add a footnote in a word then, you simply have to place it down right at the end of a sentence or a particular word. It should be added right after the full stop or wherever the sentence is ending.

Also, to write down footnotes correctly, all you have to do is leave out two gaps after the sentence ends and as you are starting to write a new phrase. 

Apply footnote at the end where it is mandated to add especially when a sentence or word is ending. It should be added right after a full stop, comma, or inverted comma and punctuation mark.

Place it at the most related phrase. And suppose the footnote character is placed in between the sentence then leave only a space of one.

How to Add Footnotes and Endnotes in the word?

Follow these below steps to make Footnotes and Endnotes in a word:

1. Position your pointer using the mouse on a word to insert a footnote or endnote.

2. Go to the navigation bar and select the Reference

how to insert footnote in word

3. Choose either the Footnote or Endnote whichever you want to insert in your document.

Note that a reference/citation number is added within the word and a fresh footnote and endnote are made.

You will see that your word cursor is shifted toward the footnote or endnote.  This indeed will allow you to write down your citation in the footnote.

Modify Footnote and Endnote in Word

After you have inserted a Footnote or Endnote within your word document, now you can change the style of footnote and endnote in whichever pattern you want.

Follow these below steps to modify your footnote and endnote in your word file:

Select the Footnotes group dialogue box launcher given on the References button.

how to add footnotes in word

The footnotes and endnotes dialogue box offers choices to manage the pattern of your footnotes and endnotes in your word file. For this follow these steps:

Location: Choose footnotes or endnotes whichever you want and then tap on the Location category arrow and then select where the footnotes and endnotes are placed. You may even tap on the Convert tab to change or modify every footnote to endnotes or endnotes to footnotes.

Footnote layout: Choose either footnotes or endnotes to appear within the similar column layout just like body text or behave autonomously.

Structure: Select a number structure or custom character to figure footnotes or endnotes. Choose an initial number and manage to see if the number is restarting on all pages or new segments.

Apply modifications: Select the preferences and see if the entire document is modified or if the changes are observed only in the preferred segment.

Alter or modify the choices whichever you want for your footnote or endnote.

Select the Apply button.

What is the dissimilarity of Footnotes as that Endnotes?

The major and only dissimilarity between Footnotes and Endnotes is that Footnotes are given at the bottom or end of the related page in word. Whereas Endnotes are written at the end of a document or paper.

However, if you want to get the attention of your reader toward your comments or citation then prefer adding footnotes.

Endnotes are stated on the last page of the document which is less likely to draw the reader’s attention. Also, it doesn’t break the continuation of the passage written.

If the citation referred to within the Footnotes different from Bibliography?

When you prefer a parenthetical style of reference, you are not required to add footnotes. However, you may require to add a Bibliography to your document.

A “works cited” is a record of every information sourced from and that you have used in your word document.

This makes it easier for the reader to read the word document. It also saves the time the reader spent on viewing the comments and other sources as stated in the footnotes.

What is the feature of a Footnote and Endnote in a word?

Footnotes are notes that are cited at the bottom of every page. It provides insight into a sentence or a word that is sourced. It also provides references and comments on a word or phrase used within the page of your document.

Footnotes and Endnotes are usually denoted by a number at the end of the sentences or within a particular word. It is also identified as a reference mark or symbol within a paragraph at the end of a phrase.

Also, word deliberately add numbers as a footnote and endnotes symbols or marks as it lets you to add, delete, edit or move notes they get disappeared.

What is the application of Footnotes?

Footnotes or Endnotes are applied in the word file or any document that is to be published so, it is easy and clear to make the reader understand using references. It is used to interpret, comment or offer a citation for a word or phrase in a document or a printed file.

Some people prefer using footnotes to provide complete information like comments to readers while references or citations of sources for endnotes.

The preferred choices are implemented as either footnotes or endnotes. You can do it in the preferred segment or over the complete word file whichever you want. 

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the frequently asked questions related to how to insert footnote in word with complete information.

How do you insert a footnote quickly?

In order to quickly insert a footnote you need to do that It’s a simple matter of remembering to press Ctrl + Alt + F. This will add a footnote to your word document if you type it in.

How do I insert a footnote below text in Word?

In order to insert a footnote below text in word you need to follow these steps.

1.To refer to a footnote or endnote, click where you wish to refer to it.
2.Select Insert Footnote or Insert Endnote from the References tab.
3.In the footnote or endnote, write whatever you like.
4.Double-click the number or symbol at the beginning of the note to return to your previous position in the document.

How do you insert a footnote in Word 2016?

In order to insert a footnote in Word 2016 you need to follow these steps.

1.Place your cursor where the footnote mark should be in the text…
2.Select References from the drop-down menu.
3.Choose Insert Footnote from the Footnotes group.
4.Fill in the blanks with the footnote and any formatting.
5.Use the keyboard shortcut Shift+5 to return to your previous position in the document.

How do you copy and paste Footnotes in Word?

In order to copy and paste Footnotes in Word, you need to follow these steps.

1.In your document, highlight the footnote reference mark.
2.Ctrl+C is a shortcut for copying and pasting. The relevant footnote and the 3.footnote reference mark are copied to the Clipboard.
4.Set the insertion point to the location where you wish the footnote to be copied.
5.Ctrl+V is the shortcut for copying and pasting.

What is EndNote in Word?

EndNote integrates citations into Microsoft Word and Open Office Writer documents. EndNote will format your citations and bibliographies in the manner you specify. Footnotes and numbering are examples of styles. Choosing a Look. Select the EndNote tab in Word.

This is the end of this short guide.

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