Endnotes let you add source information at the end of your document

An endnote is a numbered reference that appears at the end of your document or section, with a matching number in the text where you want the note. Word handles the numbering automatically — if you add or delete an endnote, all the numbers shift to stay in order. This is different from a footnote, which appears at the bottom of the page instead of the end of the document.

Endnotes work the same way in Word on Windows, Mac, and in Word Online. The steps are nearly identical across all three versions, though the menu locations differ slightly. If you're using a different editor like Google Docs or LibreOffice, the process is similar but the exact steps will be different.

Key Takeaways

  • Click or tap where you want the endnote number to appear in your text, then use the References tab to insert an endnote.
  • Word automatically numbers endnotes and places them at the end of your document, updating all numbers if you add or remove an endnote.
  • You can change where endnotes appear (end of document or end of section) and customize the numbering style in the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.
  • Deleting an endnote number from your text removes the endnote and its content automatically.

How to insert an endnote in Word on Windows

Place your cursor at the spot in your text where you want the endnote number to appear. This is usually at the end of a sentence or after the word you're referencing. Click the References tab at the top of the ribbon.

In the References tab, look for the Footnotes group. Click the small arrow next to "Insert Endnote" to open the full menu, or click "Insert Endnote" directly if you see that button. Word will add a number in your text and jump to the end of your document, where your cursor will be ready for you to type the endnote content. Type your source information or note, then click back in your document to continue writing.

How to insert an endnote in Word on Mac

Click where you want the endnote number to go in your text. At the top of the screen, click the References tab. If you don't see it, you may need to click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) first.

In the References tab, click Insert Endnote. Word will add the number and take you to the end of the document. Type your note content, then click back in your document to keep writing. The process is the same as Windows, but the ribbon layout on Mac can be slightly more compact.

How to insert an endnote in Word Online

Open your document in Word Online (office.com). Click where you want the endnote number. Click the References tab in the ribbon at the top.

Click Insert Endnote. Word Online will add the number and scroll to the end of your document so you can type the note. After you type, click back in your document to continue. Word Online works the same way as the desktop versions but may have fewer customization options.

Changing where your endnotes appear

By default, Word puts all endnotes at the very end of your document. If you're writing a document with multiple sections and want endnotes to appear at the end of each section instead, you can change this. Go to the References tab, then click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Footnotes group to open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.

In the dialog, look for the option that says "End of section" or "End of document" under "explore changes to". Select "End of section" if you want each section to have its own endnotes. Click OK. This setting applies to all endnotes you add from that point forward, and Word will reorganize existing endnotes to match the new setting.

Customizing endnote numbering and format

Word normally numbers endnotes 1, 2, 3, and so on. You can change this to use letters (a, b, c), Roman numerals (i, ii, iii), or other numbering styles. Open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box again (References tab, then the small arrow in the Footnotes group).

In the dialog, find the Number format dropdown menu. Click it to see your options — you can choose 1, 2, 3; a, b, c; i, ii, iii; or other styles depending on your needs. You can also set what number to start with if you don't want to begin at 1. Click OK to explore the change to your document.

Removing or editing an endnote

To delete an endnote, find the endnote number in your document text (not the note itself at the end). Right-click on the number and select "Delete Note", or straightforward select the number and press Delete. Word will remove both the number from your text and the endnote content from the end of your document, and all remaining endnotes will renumber automatically.

To edit an endnote, scroll to the end of your document where the endnotes appear and click in the note text. Make your changes just as you would in regular text. You can also click the endnote number in your document text to jump directly to that endnote at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an endnote and a footnote?

A footnote appears at the bottom of the page where you reference it, while an endnote appears at the end of the document or section. Both are numbered automatically and work the same way — the choice is usually about what looks better for your document type. Academic papers often use endnotes, while some business documents use footnotes.

Can I convert footnotes to endnotes or vice versa?

Yes. Open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box (References tab, small arrow in Footnotes group), then click "Convert". You can convert all footnotes to endnotes, all endnotes to footnotes, or swap them. Click OK and Word will reorganize all your notes.

Why did my endnote numbers restart at 1 in the middle of my document?

This usually means your document has section breaks, and you've set endnotes to restart numbering at each section. If you want continuous numbering throughout the whole document, open the Footnote and Endnote dialog, make sure "Continuous" is selected under "Numbering", and click OK.

Can I use endnotes in Word Online the same way as the desktop version?

Word Online supports inserting and editing endnotes, but some advanced options (like changing where they appear or customizing numbering) may not be available. For full control over endnote formatting, use the desktop version of Word.