Microsoft Word Footnote Problems

Microsoft Word can automatically create, number and move footnotes within a document. However, sometimes automatic formatting can create confusion or behave differently than you expect. Reviewing common footnote problems can help you avoid them in current and future Word documents.

Types

According to Microsoft Support, some of the main footnote problems users experience include not being able to find the footnote button, disappearing footnotes, and footnotes renumbering when inside a table.

Solutions

Ensure your headers and footers are set to "visible" if your footnotes seem to have disappeared. Footnotes normally renumber on their own in order to remain in numerical order; this sometimes causes errors in tables. Try recreating your table, inserting each footnote in the correct order.

Misconceptions

Microsoft Word can insert footnotes automatically, but you must insert them using the "Insert Footnote" menu. Manually adding a superscript number and note to the bottom or footer of a page will not automatically update footnote numbers or keep the footnotes in the same position.

References

• Microsoft Office: Word: Troubleshoot Footnotes