Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Comments in Endnotes.

Comments in Endnotes

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 29, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


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Pat noted that she can add comments throughout her document, except in endnotes. When she tries, the commands and tools to enter comments are inaccessible. Pat is wondering if there is a way to get around this and actually add comments in the endnotes of her document.

The short answer is that there is no way; Word doesn't allow you to add comments to either footnotes or endnotes. There are a couple workarounds you can use, however. One is to actually insert your comment in the main portion of your document, right next to your footnote or endnote reference.

The second workaround is to use the COMMENT field to add your comment. This field can be inserted just fine in endnotes. Just insert a pair of field braces (by pressing Ctrl+F9), type the word COMMENT and then place your comment within quote marks, in this manner:

{ COMMENT "This is my comment" }

When you collapse the field, so that only its result is showing, the comment appears next to the endnote in Page Layout (Print Layout) view. Comments inserted this way are handled just a bit differently than regular comments, however, as they will not appear in any markup list that you may create or view.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3464) 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: Comments in Endnotes.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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Comments

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What is 5 + 1?

2022-10-06 06:06:54

Henry Tailor

Endnotes and footnotes may be used by the author for bibliographical information, outside sources, copyright authorization, explanatory material, citations, or more information on the topic at hand.

https://desklib.com/blog/footnotes-vs-endnotes/


2020-02-14 04:34:47

Joe Steinhardt

Does anyone know WHY Word won't let you do this? It's infuriating!


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