Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021. 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: Comments in Endnotes.

Comments in Endnotes

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 26, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021


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 COMMENTS 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 COMMENTS and then place your comment within quote marks, in this manner:

{ COMMENTS "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, nor will the comment-related tools on the Review tab of the ribbon recognize them.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (13033) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word 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. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Making Revisions

You've turned on Highlight Changes, but how do you know what has been changed? This tip explains how Excel displays those ...

Discover More

Changing Measurement Units

When working in Word's dialog boxes, most people understand that you should enter measurements using inches. If you don't ...

Discover More

Checking for Text

Need to figure out if a particular cell contains text? You can use the ISTEXT function to easily return this bit of trivia.

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Suppressing Endnotes

Endnotes are a beneficial necessity for some documents. If you want to print a copy of the document without endnotes, ...

Discover More

Numbering Endnotes and Adding Chapter Headings

In a document that utilizes endnotes, you need to be concerned with the positioning and how the notes are actually ...

Discover More

Converting Footnotes to Endnotes

When you spend a lot of time creating footnotes, how can you convert all of them to endnotes without entering them all ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is three more than 8?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.