How to Change Footnote Reference Formatting in Word
Question details
The user needs to customize the appearance of footnote reference numbers, specifically setting a custom font, size, text color, and background color.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a document or a DOTX template where footnote references require a specific, highly customized visual style.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to universally change the footnote reference formatting, such as applying 16-point bold Arial with white text and a red background, across the entire document.
Ensure you have inserted at least one footnote into your document so you can preview the formatting changes in real time as you modify the style settings.
Modify the Built-in Footnote Reference Style
Updating the built-in Footnote Reference style ensures that all current and future footnote numbers in your document share the exact same customized formatting without needing manual adjustments.
Word uses a dedicated style called 'Footnote Reference' to control the appearance of the small superscript numbers both in the main document body and next to the actual footnotes at the bottom of the page.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S on your keyboard, or navigate to the Home tab and click the small dialog launcher arrow in the bottom right corner of the Styles group.
In the Styles pane, look for 'Footnote Reference'. If it is not visible, click 'Options' at the bottom of the pane, change 'Select styles to show' to 'All styles', and click OK. Right-click the 'Footnote Reference' style and select 'Modify'.
In the Modify Style dialog box, use the formatting tools to set your desired font (e.g., Arial), font size (e.g., 16), and style (e.g., Bold). Select white from the text color dropdown menu.
Click the 'Format' button in the bottom left corner of the dialog box, then select 'Borders and Shading'. Switch to the 'Shading' tab, pick a red fill color, and click OK.
Before closing the Modify Style dialog, select the 'New documents based on this template' radio button if you want this specific style applied to all future documents using your current DOTX template. Click OK to apply the changes.
Easily Manage Footnotes and Styles with WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive and seamless interface for managing document styles, including footnote and endnote references. You can quickly customize fonts, text colors, and background shading to meet strict formatting guidelines with just a few clicks.
- 1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your text document or template file.
- 2. Access the Styles and Formatting Pane: Navigate to the Home tab and click the Styles and Formatting icon to open the side pane.
- 3. Modify the Footnote Style: Locate the 'Footnote Reference' style in the list, click the drop-down arrow next to it, and select Modify.
- 4. Apply Custom Formats: Adjust the font, text color, and background shading using the format dialog, then click OK to instantly update all footnotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I see the Footnote Reference style in the Styles pane?
By default, Word hides certain built-in styles to keep the pane uncluttered. You can reveal it by clicking 'Options' at the bottom of the Styles pane, changing 'Select styles to show' to 'All styles', and setting 'Select how list is sorted' to 'Alphabetical'.
Can I format individual footnote numbers without changing the universal style?
Yes, you can manually highlight a specific footnote reference number and change its font or color directly from the Home tab. However, modifying the Footnote Reference style is highly recommended to maintain document consistency and save time.
Will changing the footnote style affect my endnotes?
No, endnotes use a separate built-in style called 'Endnote Reference'. You will need to locate and modify the Endnote Reference style independently if you want your endnotes to match the visual formatting of your footnotes.
