Formatting Issues

How to Keep a Word Table Anchored Above Footnotes

Guest Writer Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to anchor a table securely above footnotes to prevent it from shifting positions when switching document views.

How to Keep a Word Table Anchored Above Footnotes

Product: Word Document
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adjusting table placement near the bottom margin of a document containing footnotes.
Observed behavior: A floating table shifts unpredictably between Print Layout and Print Preview, especially around footnotes at the bottom of the page.

Before you start

Before adjusting table properties, ensure your printer drivers are up to date and turn on hidden formatting marks to better understand the current document spacing and layout.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Table Text Wrapping to None (Inline)

Converting a floating table to an inline table is the most reliable way to keep it anchored above footnotes and maintain consistent placement.

Floating tables can cause unpredictable layout shifts, particularly near page margins and footnotes, because the word processor dynamically recalculates their position. Setting the table to 'Inline' forces it to move naturally with the surrounding text flow, ensuring it stays exactly where you placed it.

Select the Table

Hover over or click anywhere inside the table to reveal the table move handle (a small crosshair icon at the top left corner), then right-click it to open the context menu.

Open Table Properties

Select 'Table Properties' from the dropdown menu to open the properties dialog box.

Change Text Wrapping

Navigate to the 'Table' tab. Under the 'Text wrapping' section, select 'None'.

Apply and Verify

Click 'OK' to apply the changes. Check the Print Preview to ensure the table is now securely anchored within the text flow and above the footnotes.

Set Table Text Wrapping to None (Inline)

Consistent Layout: Inline tables render much more consistently across different views, devices, and printers compared to floating tables.

Solution 2

Adjust Page Margins and Paragraph Spacing

Fine-tuning the document's spacing ensures there is enough room for both the table and footnotes on the same page.

Manage Document Layouts with Ease

Easily Anchor Tables and Format Documents in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers precise control over document layouts, ensuring your tables, text, and footnotes stay perfectly aligned across all views. It provides a seamless experience for managing complex document elements without formatting headaches.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your text document containing the table.
2. Access Table Properties: Right-click the table and select 'Table Properties' from the context menu.
3. Set Text Wrapping to Inline: Under the 'Table' tab, set the Text Wrapping option to 'None' to keep the table inline with your text and above your footnotes.

Easily change table properties to inline or floating with intuitive menus100% compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx, .doc)Accurate Print Preview ensures 'what you see is what you get'Lightweight software with a familiar, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my table move unexpectedly when I add footnotes?

When text wrapping is set to 'Around', the word processor treats the table as a floating object. Adding footnotes changes the available space at the bottom of the page, forcing the software to recalculate the layout and shift the floating table to a new position.

How do I stop a table from breaking across two different pages?

Right-click the table, go to 'Table Properties', select the 'Row' tab, and uncheck the option that says 'Allow row to break across pages'. This ensures the row stays intact on a single page.

What is the difference between Print Layout and Print Preview regarding tables?

Print Layout is an editing view that approximates the final document, while Print Preview renders the exact layout based on your specific printer driver settings. Discrepancies often occur with floating objects like tables because different printers calculate margins and printable areas slightly differently.

Document & File Issues