How to Insert Footnotes and Endnotes in Google Docs

Footnotes and endnotes let you add citations, comments, or supplementary details without cluttering your main text. In Google Docs, you can insert either type in a few clicks, and the document automatically numbers them and keeps them in order. This guide walks you through both methods, plus how to format, remove, and troubleshoot them.

What You’ll Need

• A Google account (free) and access to Google Docs.
• A document open in Google Docs (either a new or existing one).
• An internet connection (Google Docs is web-based, though the mobile apps also support footnotes).

Step-by-Step

1. Open your document in Google Docs at docs.google.com. If you haven’t already, sign in with your Google account.
2. Place your cursor where you want the footnote or endnote reference number to appear. This is typically at the end of a sentence or after a quoted phrase, right after the punctuation.
3. Insert a footnote:
   1. Click Insert in the top menu.
   2. Select Footnote from the dropdown. (On the Google Docs mobile app, tap the + icon, then Footnote.)
   3. A superscript number appears at your cursor, and the cursor jumps to the bottom of the page, where you can type your note.
4. Insert an endnote: Google Docs does not have a direct “Insert endnote” button like it does for footnotes. Instead, you create endnotes manually:
   1. Place your cursor where you want the endnote reference number.
   2. Type a superscript number manually: highlight the number you type (e.g., “1”), then click Format → Text → Superscript (or use the shortcut Ctrl + . on Windows/ChromeOS or Cmd + . on Mac).
   3. Scroll to the end of your document (or the end of a section) and type your endnote text there. You can format the heading as “Endnotes” and list them in order.
5. Write your note text in the footnote area at the bottom of the page or in your endnotes section. The note can be as short or as long as you need.
6. Return to the main text by clicking anywhere in the body of your document. The superscript number in the text remains linked to the note.
7. Add more notes by repeating steps 2–4. Google Docs automatically renumbers footnotes if you insert or delete one earlier in the document.

Formatting tips for endnotes: If you want endnotes to appear on a separate page, insert a page break before them (Insert → Break → Page break). You can also use headings to create a table of contents for your endnotes, though it’s not automatic.

Common Mistakes

• Putting the cursor in the wrong place: The reference number should come after the punctuation (period, comma, quotation mark) in most styles, not before it. Double-check your citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago) for specific rules.
• Using footnotes when you need endnotes: Footnotes appear at the bottom of each page; endnotes appear at the end of the document. If your professor requires endnotes, you’ll need to create them manually as described above.
• Typing the note in the main text: When you insert a footnote, the cursor jumps to the bottom. If you click back into the body before typing, you’ll type in the text instead of the note. Make sure you’re in the footnote area.
• Forgetting to number endnotes: If you create endnotes manually, you must add the superscript numbers yourself. It’s easy to miss one, so double-check the order.
• Copying text from another document: When you paste text that contains footnotes from Word or another source, Google Docs may not preserve the footnote formatting. You may need to reinsert them.

Tips

• Use keyboard shortcuts: On Windows/ChromeOS, press Ctrl + Alt + F to insert a footnote quickly. On Mac, use Cmd + Option + F.
• Navigate between notes: Click on any footnote number in the text to jump to the note, and click the number next to the note to jump back to the text.
• Convert footnotes to endnotes (workaround): There’s no one-click conversion, but you can copy all footnote text and paste it at the end of the document, then delete the original footnotes. You’ll need to re-add the numbers manually.
• Use add-ons for advanced features: If you need automatic endnotes or more complex citation management, consider using a Google Docs add-on like “Endnote Generator” or a citation tool like EasyBib or Zotero (these are third-party, so check their reviews and permissions).
• Check your citation style: Different styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) have specific rules for footnotes vs. endnotes. Make sure you’re using the correct type and formatting.

Troubleshooting

• Footnote numbers not updating: If you delete or insert a footnote and the numbers don’t renumber automatically, try refreshing the page (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R). If that doesn’t work, close and reopen the document.
• Footnote text appears in the wrong place: This can happen if you click outside the footnote area before typing. Click directly on the footnote number in the text to jump back to the note, then type there.
• Can’t find the Insert > Footnote option: Make sure you’re in a Google Docs document (not Google Slides or Sheets). Also, check that you’re not in a comment or suggestion mode—switch to “Editing” mode (pencil icon in the top right) to see the Insert menu.
• Footnotes not visible on mobile: The Google Docs mobile app supports footnotes, but they may be hidden behind a menu. Tap the + icon at the top, then scroll to find Footnote. If you still can’t find it, try using a desktop browser.
• Endnotes not working as expected: Since endnotes are manual, the most common issue is misnumbering. Review your endnotes section and ensure the numbers match the order in the text. If you add a new endnote in the middle, you’ll need to renumber all subsequent ones.
• Printing issues: If footnotes don’t appear when you print, check your print settings. Make sure “Include footnotes” is checked (it usually is by default). For endnotes, ensure they’re on the same page range you’re printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert footnotes to endnotes automatically in Google Docs?

No, Google Docs does not have a built-in feature to convert footnotes to endnotes. You’ll need to manually copy the footnote content to the end of the document and add superscript numbers. Some third-party add-ons may offer this, but they are not official Google features.

How do I remove a footnote or endnote?

To remove a footnote, simply delete the superscript number in the text. The footnote text will be removed automatically. For endnotes, delete the superscript number in the text and then manually delete the corresponding entry in your endnotes section.

Can I use both footnotes and endnotes in the same document?

Yes, you can. Google Docs allows you to insert footnotes anywhere, and you can also create manual endnotes. However, mixing them can be confusing, so it’s best to follow your style guide’s recommendations.

Do footnotes count toward the word count in Google Docs?

Google Docs’ word count tool includes footnotes by default. If you need to exclude them, you can uncheck “Include footnotes” in the word count dialog (Tools > Word count).

Why is my footnote number not showing as superscript?

Google Docs automatically formats footnote numbers as superscript. If you see a normal number, it might be because you typed it manually. Delete it and use the Insert > Footnote feature instead.

Can I share a document with footnotes and have them appear for others?

Yes, footnotes are part of the document and will be visible to anyone with edit or view access. Endnotes you create manually will also appear as regular text.

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