Document Editing Problems

Fix Microsoft Word Word Count Not Including Footnotes

Phi Hung Vo Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue in Microsoft Word where the word count tool stops including footnotes, either due to a reset setting or a software glitch.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Word Count Not Including Footnotes

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing document length or meeting strict academic word count requirements that mandate the inclusion of footnotes.
Observed behavior: The total word count displayed in the status bar or the word count dialog incorrectly excludes text located within the document's footnotes.

Before you start

Before attempting advanced repairs, open the Word Count dialog box (Review > Word Count) and ensure that the 'Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes' checkbox is actually ticked.

Solution 1Recommended

Select Footnotes Manually as a Temporary Workaround

Use this method to quickly get the footnote word count if you are on a strict deadline and cannot troubleshoot the software immediately.

Access the Footnote Section

Scroll to the bottom of your document page and click anywhere inside the footnote text area.

Select All Footnotes

Press 'Ctrl + A' on your keyboard. This will highlight all the footnote text across your entire document without selecting the main body text.

Check the Status Bar

Look at the bottom-left corner of the Word window. The status bar will display the specific word count for the highlighted footnote text, which you can manually add to your main document count.

Select Footnotes Manually as a Temporary Workaround

Status Bar Settings: If you do not see the word count in the bottom-left corner, right-click the status bar and check the 'Word Count' option to enable it.

Solution 2

Test Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Third-party add-ins can sometimes interfere with built-in Word features. Running Safe Mode helps identify if an add-in is causing the word count failure.

Solution 3

Repair the Microsoft 365 Installation

If the word count inclusion option keeps resetting or failing in Safe Mode, repairing the Office suite can fix underlying corrupted application files.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Accurate Word Counts and Stable Document Editing

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with accurate word counts or frequent glitches, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that ensures seamless editing and accurate document metrics without the hassle of continuous repairs.

1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
2. Access the Review Tab: Click on the 'Review' tab located in the top menu ribbon.
3. Check Word Count: Click 'Word Count' and ensure 'Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes' is checked for a precise total.

Accurately counts words including footnotes and endnotes nativelyFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) formatsLightweight installation with zero bloatwareFamiliar user interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word suddenly stop counting my footnotes?

This can happen if the default template (Normal.dotm) becomes corrupted, a third-party add-in interferes with the word count function, or the application requires a background update.

How do I manually check the word count of my footnotes alone?

You can click inside the footnote area at the bottom of the page, press Ctrl+A to select all footnote text, and look at the bottom-left status bar to see the word count specifically for the selected text.

Will repairing Microsoft 365 delete my files?

No, running an Online Repair or Quick Repair for Microsoft 365 only fixes the application files and registry keys. Your personal documents, templates, and data remain completely safe and untouched.

Does checking 'Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes' save permanently?

Typically, this setting should persist for the document you are working on. However, if the setting resets every time you open Word, you may need to update your Normal.dotm template or run a software repair.

Document & File Issues