How to Add a Footnote in Your Document Editor

What a footnote does and why you might use one

A footnote is a note that appears at the bottom of a page (or sometimes at the end of a document) to add information without interrupting the main text. When you insert a footnote, your editor automatically numbers it, places the number in your text, and creates a matching number at the bottom where your note goes. If you delete the footnote later, the editor renumbers everything else automatically.

Footnotes work well for citations, explanations, translations, or side comments. They keep your main writing clean while letting readers find extra detail if they want it. Most document editors — whether you use Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, or another program — handle footnotes the same basic way, though the exact steps and menu names differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

Insert a footnote by placing your cursor where you want the number to appear in your text, then use the Insert menu to add a footnote.
Your editor automatically numbers footnotes and moves the note to the bottom of the page (or end of document, depending on your settings).
You can edit, delete, or move footnotes the same way you edit regular text — the numbering updates on its own.
Footnote formatting (font size, spacing, numbering style) can usually be changed through your editor's settings or styles menu.

How to insert a footnote in Microsoft Word

Open your document and click where you want the footnote number to appear in your text. Go to the References tab at the top of the screen. Click Insert Footnote (or Insert Endnote if you want the note at the end of the document instead of the bottom of the page). Word automatically adds a number in your text and creates a matching number at the bottom of the page where you can type your note.

To delete a footnote, select the number in your text and press Delete. Word removes both the number and the note, and renumbers all the footnotes after it. To move a footnote, cut the number in your text and paste it in a new location — Word handles the renumbering. You can change how footnotes look by going to References > Footnote & Endnote, where you can choose numbering style (1, 2, 3 or a, b, c or i, ii, iii), position, and other formatting.

How to insert a footnote in Google Docs

Click where you want the footnote number to go in your text. Go to Insert in the menu bar, then click Footnote. Google Docs adds a number in your text and opens a footnote area at the bottom of the page where you can type. The cursor moves to the footnote automatically so you can start typing right away.

To delete a footnote in Google Docs, click the number in your text and press Delete. Google Docs removes the note and renumbers the rest. You cannot easily change the numbering style (Google Docs uses 1, 2, 3 by default), but you can move a footnote by cutting and pasting the number to a new location. If you want to see all your footnotes at once, use the navigation panel on the left side of the screen.

How to insert a footnote in LibreOffice Writer

Click in your text where you want the footnote number. Go to Insert in the menu bar and select Footnote or Endnote. A dialog box opens where you can choose whether you want a footnote (at the bottom of the page) or an endnote (at the end of the document). You can also choose your numbering style here. Click OK, and LibreOffice adds the number and opens the footnote area for you to type.

Deleting a footnote in LibreOffice is the same as in Word: select the number in your text and press Delete. To change footnote formatting after you have already created them, go to Tools > Footnotes and Endnotes to adjust numbering, spacing, and other settings across your whole document.

Editing and moving footnotes

Once you have created a footnote, you can edit the text in it just like any other text in your document. Click in the footnote area and make your changes. If you need to move a footnote to a different location in your document, select the number in your text, cut it (Ctrl+X or Cmd+X), click where you want it to go, and paste it (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V). Your editor automatically renumbers all footnotes in the correct order.

If you want to change a footnote to an endnote (or vice versa), most editors let you right-click the footnote number and choose an option to convert it. In Word, you can also go to References > Footnote & Endnote and change the position setting for all footnotes at once. In Google Docs, you will need to delete the footnote and create a new one as an endnote, since Google Docs does not offer a conversion option.

Common formatting choices for footnotes

Most editors let you control how your footnotes look. You can usually change the numbering style (numbers, letters, or Roman numerals), the font size, the spacing between the footnote line and your text, and whether footnotes restart numbering on each page or continue through the whole document. In Word, these options are in References > Footnote & Endnote. In LibreOffice, they are in Tools > Footnotes and Endnotes. Google Docs offers fewer formatting choices but lets you adjust font and size through the regular formatting toolbar.

If your document has a style guide (like MLA, APA, or Chicago), check what that guide says about footnote formatting. Many style guides have specific rules about numbering, spacing, and how the footnote text should be indented or formatted. Your editor may have built-in styles for common guides — in Word, look for style templates; in Google Docs, check the Styles menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both footnotes and endnotes in the same document?

In Microsoft Word and LibreOffice, yes — you can insert both footnotes (at the bottom of the page) and endnotes (at the end of the document) in the same document. In Google Docs, you can only use footnotes, not endnotes. If you need both, you would have to use Word or LibreOffice instead.

What happens to footnotes if I copy and paste text into another document?

In Word and LibreOffice, footnotes usually copy along with the text. In Google Docs, footnotes do not always transfer cleanly when you copy and paste — you may need to recreate them in the new document. To be safe, check your footnotes after pasting into a new document.

Can I change the numbering style after I have already added footnotes?

Yes. In Word, go to References > Footnote & Endnote and choose a new numbering style — all your existing footnotes will update automatically. In LibreOffice, use Tools > Footnotes and Endnotes. In Google Docs, you cannot change the numbering style, so you would need to use a different editor if you need numbers other than 1, 2, 3.

How do I make footnotes smaller or use a different font?

In Word and LibreOffice, you can select the footnote text and format it like regular text — change the font, size, or color. You can also create a style for footnotes so all of them format the same way automatically. In Google Docs, select the footnote text and use the toolbar to change font and size, but there is no automatic style option.

What is the difference between a footnote and a parenthetical note?

A footnote moves the note to the bottom of the page or end of the document, keeping your main text clean. A parenthetical note (information in parentheses right in your text) stays visible but can clutter the reading experience. Use footnotes when the note is important but not essential to the main point; use parentheses for brief clarifications that readers should see when ready.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.