Formatting Issues

How to Restart Word Footnote Numbering in Each Section on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restart footnote numbering at the beginning of each new section in a Word document on a Mac, but the numbering remains continuous.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Formatting a complex document, such as an academic paper or book, that requires independent footnote numbering for separate chapters or sections.
Observed behavior: Footnote numbering continues sequentially throughout the entire document even after section breaks have been inserted.

Before you start

Ensure your document actually contains Section Breaks rather than standard Page Breaks, as footnote numbering can only be restarted when proper Section Breaks are applied to the document.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Footnote Numbering Settings

Modify the footnote options to restart the numbering sequence for each section and apply these changes globally.

In Microsoft Word for Mac, footnote numbering defaults to continuous. Even if you add section breaks, you must explicitly instruct the software to restart the numbering at these division points.

Open Footnote Options

Navigate to the top menu bar and select 'Insert', then click on 'Footnote' to open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.

Adjust Numbering Settings

In the dialog box, locate the 'Numbering' drop-down menu and change the selection from 'Continuous' to 'Restart each section'.

Apply Changes

At the bottom of the dialog window, find the 'Apply changes to' option, select 'Whole document' from the dropdown menu, and click 'Apply'.

Verify Section Breaks

Click the 'Show/Hide ¶' button on the Home tab to reveal formatting marks. Confirm that a 'Section Break (Next Page)' or 'Section Break (Continuous)' is present at the end of each chapter.

Section Break Check: If you only see 'Page Break', delete it and go to Layout > Breaks > Section Breaks to insert the correct divider.

Effortless Document Formatting

Manage Footnotes and Sections Easily with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers an intuitive and seamless experience for formatting complex academic or professional documents, allowing you to easily manage sections and restart footnote numbering with just a few clicks.

1. Insert a Section Break: Navigate to the 'Page Layout' tab, click the 'Breaks' icon, and select 'Next Page Section Break' where your new chapter begins.
2. Open Footnote Settings: Go to the 'References' tab and click the settings icon (small arrow) in the bottom right corner of the Footnotes section.
3. Restart Numbering: In the Footnote/Endnote dialog box, choose 'Restart each section' under the Numbering option, select 'Whole document' in the Apply to field, and click 'Apply'.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc).Intuitive references tab for quick footnote and endnote insertion.Visual layout tools to easily manage page and section breaks.Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my footnote numbering still continuous after selecting 'Restart each section'?

This happens when standard Page Breaks are used instead of Section Breaks. Navigate to the Layout tab, click Breaks, and replace your standard page breaks with Section Breaks.

Can I restart endnotes in each section on Mac as well?

Yes, the process is identical. Open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box (Insert > Footnote), select the 'Endnotes' radio button at the top, and then choose 'Restart each section' from the Numbering dropdown.

Is it possible to use different footnote numbering formats for different sections?

Yes. Place your cursor inside a specific section, open the Footnote dialog, change the Number format (e.g., to Roman numerals or letters), and ensure 'Apply changes to' is set to 'This section'.

Document & File Issues