Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 9, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Word implements a full-featured footnote and endnote system that allows you total control over where and how footnotes and endnotes are printed. If you are viewing your document in Print Layout view, the footnotes or endnotes appear in your document the same as any other text—at the place where they are configured to appear on the printout.
If you are viewing your document in Normal view, footnotes and endnotes are not normally visible. Word opens the Footnotes or Endnotes window at the bottom of the document window whenever you insert a footnote or endnote. Most users, when they are through entering the note text, close the window so they will be able to see more of their document at once. If you later want to view the footnotes or endnotes window, you can use the Footnotes option from the View menu to display the Footnotes or Endnotes window. You can then make changes to footnotes or endnotes in the window, if you so desire.
If you have both footnotes and endnotes defined in the same document, Word will ask you to indicate which you want to view prior to displaying the Footnotes or Endnotes window. All you need to do is select which one you want to view, and then click your mouse on OK.
Once the Footnotes or Endnotes window is displayed, you can select which type of notes are displayed in the window. You do this by using the drop-down Footnotes control at the top of the window to select what you want displayed. If you choose All Footnotes, then the footnotes are displayed; choosing All Endnotes displays all the endnotes for your document.
To close the footnotes window, you can either click your mouse on the Close button at the top of the Footnotes window, or you can again choose Footnotes from the View menu.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (499) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Viewing Footnotes and Endnotes.
Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!
Need to move the contents of a footnote up into the main body of your document? You can use normal editing techniques to ...
Discover MoreDo you want to have multiple footnote references to the same actual footnote in a document? The easiest way to do this is ...
Discover MoreEndnotes are a required element in some types of writing. When you add an endnote, Word moves you to the end of your ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments