Document Editing Problems

Fix Word Footnotes Not Renumbering with Track Changes Enabled

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to understand and fix the issue where footnote numbers do not automatically update or renumber when a footnote is deleted while Track Changes is turned on.

How to Fix Word Footnotes Not Renumbering While Track Changes Is Enabled

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a document and deleting footnotes with the Track Changes feature enabled.
Observed behavior: The deleted footnote is only marked as deleted instead of being removed, causing the remaining footnote numbers in the document to stay the same and appear out of order until the tracked changes are resolved.

Before you start

Identify whether you are editing in Word for the Web or the Word desktop application, as their footnote updating behaviors differ slightly when viewing markup.

Solution 1Recommended

Accept the Specific Footnote Deletion

Force Word to renumber the footnotes by officially accepting the tracked deletion of the footnote.

When Track Changes is enabled, deleting a footnote does not immediately remove it from the document structure. Instead, Word retains it in the background as a marked deletion. Because the footnote technically still exists, the numbering remains unchanged until you finalize the deletion.

Locate the deleted footnote

Scroll through your document body to find the footnote reference number that you previously deleted. It will typically appear crossed out or highlighted depending on your markup settings.

Right-click the deletion

Right-click directly on the crossed-out footnote number in the main text.

Accept the change

Select 'Accept Deletion' from the context menu. Word will completely remove the footnote from the document and immediately renumber the subsequent footnotes.

Bulk Updating: If you are completely finished editing the document, you can go to the Review tab and click 'Accept All Changes' to update all footnote numbers simultaneously.

Solution 2

Change Markup View to See Final Numbering

Use this workaround if you need to keep Track Changes enabled but want to preview how the footnotes will look once all edits are finalized.

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If you are frustrated by inconsistent footnote numbering and complex track changes behaviors across different versions of Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for viewing, editing, and tracking document modifications effortlessly.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button to get the installer.
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3. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer, open your existing document, and continue tracking your changes with stable footnote management.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my footnotes skip numbers in Word?

If Track Changes is enabled and you deleted a previous footnote, Word retains the deleted footnote in the background until the change is accepted. Because the deleted footnote still occupies a number in the sequence, the visible numbering appears to skip.

Do footnotes update automatically in Word for the Web?

Yes, unlike the Microsoft 365 desktop application, Word for the Web often updates footnote numbering automatically even while the tracked deletion markup is still displayed on the screen.

How do I accept all footnote deletions at once?

Navigate to the Review tab, click the drop-down arrow under the 'Accept' button in the Changes group, and select 'Accept All Changes'. This will resolve all tracked edits and correct all footnote numbering simultaneously.

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