Formatting Issues

How to Change Endnote Numbers from Roman to Arabic in Word for Mac

Ayan Masood Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to change the numbering format of endnotes from Roman numerals to Arabic numbers in Word for Mac but cannot locate the proper formatting settings.

How to Change Endnote Numbers from Roman to Arabic in Word for Mac

Product: Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Formatting academic or professional documents that require specific endnote numbering styles.
Observed behavior: Endnotes are currently displayed using Roman numerals, and the Footnote and Endnote dialog box is difficult to locate within the interface.

Before you start

Ensure your document already contains the inserted endnotes you wish to format, and save your current progress before applying global formatting changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Endnote Numbering Format via the Insert Menu

Use the built-in Footnote and Endnote dialog box in Word for Mac to easily switch your format from Roman to Arabic numerals.

The formatting options for endnotes in Word for Mac are located within a specific dialog box accessed from the system menu bar, rather than the main ribbon interface.

Open the Insert Menu

Open your document in Word for Mac. Navigate to the top system menu bar and click on 'Insert'.

Select Footnote

From the dropdown menu, select 'Footnote' to open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.

Select Endnotes

In the dialog box, check the radio button for 'Endnotes' to ensure you are modifying the correct elements.

Change Number Format

Locate the 'Number format' dropdown menu and change it from Roman numerals (i, ii, iii...) to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...).

Apply Changes

Click the 'Apply' button to update the numbering format across your entire document.

Change Endnote Numbering Format via the Insert Menu

Format Applied: All existing and future endnotes in this document will now use Arabic numbering.

Seamless Formatting with WPS Office

Easily Manage Endnotes and Footnotes with WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides a highly intuitive interface for managing document formatting, including footnotes and endnotes. You can seamlessly switch between Roman and Arabic numerals, all while ensuring perfect compatibility with Microsoft Word documents.

1. Open Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
2. Access References: Navigate to the 'References' tab on the top ribbon.
3. Open Settings: Click the small arrow icon in the Footnotes section to open the settings dialog box.
4. Change Format: Select 'Arabic numerals' from the 'Number format' dropdown and click 'Apply'.

Intuitive Footnote and Endnote dialog box for quick formatting changes.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) documents and formatting rules.Free and lightweight alternative to heavy word processors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my endnotes automatically default to Roman numerals?

By default, many word processing programs use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for endnotes to distinguish them clearly from footnotes, which typically default to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3).

Can I use different numbering formats for different sections of my document?

Yes. In the Footnote and Endnote dialog box, you can choose to apply the numbering format to the 'Whole document' or just 'This section'. You must first insert section breaks in your document to utilize this feature.

Will changing the endnote format affect my footnotes?

No, footnotes and endnotes have independent formatting settings. Changing the number format for endnotes will not alter your footnote numbering.

Document & File Issues