Formatting Issues

How to Add Brackets Around Footnotes and Endnotes in Word

Natalie Taylor Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to format footnote and endnote reference numbers so they are enclosed in brackets, such as [1] or [12], throughout the document.

How to Add Brackets Around Word Footnotes and Endnotes

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting academic papers, legal documents, or professional reports that strictly require bracketed citation numbers.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word does not provide a standard built-in numbering option to automatically enclose footnote or endnote references in brackets, and default reference styles are restricted.

Before you start

Ensure you have completely finished inserting all footnotes and endnotes into your document before applying this formatting, so you do not have to repeat the process for newly added citations.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Find and Replace with Styles to Add Brackets

Since Word lacks a native bracketed numbering style, the most efficient workaround is to use the Find and Replace feature to locate all references and wrap them in brackets at once.

By targeting the specific 'Footnote Reference' or 'Endnote Reference' style, you can safely apply brackets to your citations without accidentally altering other numbers in your document.

Open Find and Replace

Press Ctrl + H on your keyboard to open the Find and Replace dialog box. Click the 'More >>' button in the bottom left corner to reveal advanced search options.

Target the Reference Style

Click inside the 'Find what' text box. Click the 'Format' button at the very bottom of the dialog, select 'Style...', and choose 'Footnote Reference' (or 'Endnote Reference' if modifying endnotes) from the list. Click OK.

Enter the Replacement Code

Click inside the 'Replace with' text box. Type `[^&]` exactly as shown. The `^&` symbol commands Word to keep the original reference number while placing the brackets around it.

Execute the Replacement

Click the 'Replace All' button. Word will instantly locate all footnotes formatted with the selected style and enclose them in brackets.

Use Find and Replace with Styles to Add Brackets

Preserved Links: Using the `^&` replacement code preserves the hyperlinked functionality of your footnotes and endnotes.

Solution 2

Submit Feature Feedback to Microsoft

Because bracketed numbering is a frequently requested formatting style that is currently missing, submitting feedback can help Microsoft prioritize adding this as a built-in feature.

Advanced Document Formatting

Format Footnotes and Endnotes Professionally with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers powerful document formatting tools, including advanced Find and Replace capabilities, making it easy to manage academic and professional citations. Handle your complex Word document edits seamlessly and for free.

1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your academic or professional document containing the footnotes.
2. Launch Find and Replace: Press Ctrl + H to open the Find and Replace tool.
3. Apply Brackets Instantly: Use the Special format options to locate Footnote Marks, and use the `[^&]` code in the replace field to wrap all your citations in brackets instantly.

Advanced Find and Replace tools for quick bulk formattingFull compatibility with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx)Comprehensive footnote and endnote management systemFree, lightweight, and highly intuitive user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make brackets appear automatically when inserting a new footnote?

No, Microsoft Word does not currently offer a built-in bracketed numbering style. You will need to insert the footnotes normally and then run the Find and Replace method once you have finished drafting the document.

Will the Find and Replace method break the hyperlink to my footnotes?

No. When you use the `[^&]` code in the 'Replace with' field, Word retains the original footnote reference and its underlying hyperlink, simply adding text characters (brackets) around it.

How do I remove the brackets from my footnotes later?

You can use Find and Replace again. Leave the 'Find what' box empty, set its format to the 'Footnote Reference' style, and type `^&` in the 'Replace with' box without brackets. Alternatively, manually search for `[` and replace it with nothing, then repeat for `]`.

Does this method work for endnotes as well?

Yes. The procedure is exactly the same, but in the Find and Replace dialog, you must select the 'Endnote Reference' style instead of the Footnote Reference style under the Format options.

Document & File Issues