Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Copying and Moving Footnotes and Endnotes.

Copying and Moving Footnotes and Endnotes

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated June 12, 2021)

Word implements a full-featured footnote and endnote system that allows you total control over where and how notes are printed. If you have previously inserted footnotes or endnotes into your document, and you want to duplicate a note or move one, you can use techniques you already know for editing regular text. To copy or move a footnote or endnote, follow these steps:

Select the footnote or endnote reference mark in your document. (This is within the document itself, not within the actual footnote or endnote.)
If you are copying the note, press Ctrl+C. The footnote or endnote reference mark and the associated note are copied to the Clipboard.
If you are moving the note, press Ctrl+X. The reference mark and the associated footnote or endnote are deleted and moved to the Clipboard. If you are using auto-numbered footnotes or endnotes, all the footnotes or endnotes in your document are renumbered.
Position the insertion point at the location where you want to copy the footnote or endnote.
Press Ctrl+V. The footnote or endnote reference mark is inserted in your document, and the associated note is added to the appropriate notes section. If you are using auto-numbered footnotes or endnotes, all the footnotes or endnotes in your document are renumbered.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10605) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Copying and Moving Footnotes and 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. Learn more about Allen...

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