How to Add Footnotes to Text in a Word Processing Program
Most of us have had to type academic papers for high school or college. In addition to school, some professions require reports that must be carefully documented and referenced. Footnotes are the accepted way to cite references in formal papers. You can add footnotes to text in a word processing program quickly and easily.
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Instructions
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Point your cursor at the point on your page screen where the footnote should appear. Footnotes are added to text at the bottom of the page. It's also acceptable to place footnotes together on one long page at the end of an academic paper. For our purposes here, we'll stick with the bottom of the page.
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Go to the "Insert" menu. Click on "Reference."
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Look at the "Reference" sub-menu and click on "Footnote."
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Notice the "Location" section and make sure "Footnote" is selected.
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Click on "Bottom of Page" if it is not already selected.
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Choose "Insert." This will take you to the footnote section at the bottom of your page. You'll see the footnote mark appear. The cursor will be blinking to let you know that you can start typing.
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Type in your footnote text and press the enter key.
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Tips & Warnings
Word processing programs automatically number footnotes for you, so you don't do it manually.
If you make changes to your paper, don't worry about having to redo the placement of your footnotes. Word processing programs will automatically update the number and placement order for you.
