Formatting Issues

How to Place an Index After Endnotes in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to insert an index after the endnotes in a Microsoft Word document.

How to Place an Index After Endnotes in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Finalizing a document layout where an index must follow the references and endnotes section.
Observed behavior: By default, Microsoft Word places endnotes at the absolute end of the document, preventing users from adding an index or additional pages after them.

Before you start

Ensure your document is structured with appropriate headings, and verify that your endnotes are fully compiled before rearranging the final layout.

Solution 1Recommended

Reposition Endnotes Using Section Breaks

By changing the endnote placement from the end of the document to the end of a specific section, you can free up space in the final section to insert an index.

Microsoft Word's default behavior locks endnotes to the very last page. To bypass this, you must separate your document into sections and instruct Word to place the endnotes at the end of the text section, rather than the document itself.

Insert a Section Break

Place your cursor immediately after the last paragraph of your main text. Go to the 'Layout' tab, click 'Breaks', and select 'Next Page' under Section Breaks.

Open Endnote Settings

Navigate to the 'References' tab. In the 'Footnotes' group, click the small dialog box launcher arrow located in the bottom right corner.

Change Location to End of Section

In the Footnote and Endnote dialog box, locate the 'Location' section. Ensure 'Endnotes' is selected, then choose 'End of section' from the adjacent drop-down menu.

Apply Changes

Click the 'Apply' button. Your endnotes will immediately move to sit before the section break you created.

Insert the Index

Move your cursor into the newly created final section of the document and insert your index normally using the 'References' tab.

Reposition Endnotes Using Section Breaks

Pro Tip: If you want the index to begin immediately on the same page as the last endnote, use a 'Continuous' section break instead of 'Next Page'.

Easily Manage Advanced Document Layouts with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for handling complex academic and professional formatting, including precise control over endnotes, footnotes, and indexing.

1. Add a Section Break: Open your document in WPS Writer. Go to the 'Page Layout' tab, click 'Breaks', and choose 'Section Break (Next Page)'.
2. Modify Reference Settings: Switch to the 'References' tab and click the Settings icon in the Footnotes section.
3. Adjust Endnote Placement: Change the endnote location to 'End of section' and apply the changes.
4. Generate the Index: Click into your final empty section and insert your index.

Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive layout tools for section breaks and referencesLightweight and completely free to use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my index still appearing before the endnotes?

This happens if your endnotes are still set to 'End of document'. You must explicitly change the setting to 'End of section' in the Footnote and Endnote dialog box for the index to follow them.

Can I add an appendix or bibliography after endnotes using this method?

Yes, this same section break method applies whenever you need to add an appendix, bibliography, or any other content after your endnotes.

What if I have multiple sections but want all endnotes together before the index?

You can suppress endnotes for previous sections. Go to the Page Setup dialog under the Layout tab, click the Layout tab within the dialog, and check 'Suppress endnotes' for the specific sections so they all accumulate in the section just before your index.

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