How to Keep Word Footnotes and Endnotes Separate by Section on Mac
Question details
The user needs to configure document settings to place endnotes at the end of individual sections and restart their numbering independently for each section.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Formatting an academic or professional document with multiple chapters or sections that require isolated reference numbering.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to apply specific settings in the Footnote and Endnote dialog box to ensure endnotes group correctly by section instead of at the end of the whole document.
Ensure your document is correctly divided using actual Section Breaks rather than standard page breaks, as endnote section formatting relies entirely on having distinct sections established in the document.
Configure Footnote and Endnote Dialog Settings
Use the built-in Footnote and Endnote dialog box to specify the location of endnotes and restart their numbering for each section.
To achieve independent endnotes for each section, you must first divide your document using section breaks, then apply the specific numbering rules to the entire document simultaneously.
Navigate to the 'Layout' tab, click 'Breaks', and select a 'Section Break' (such as Next Page or Continuous) at the end of each chapter or section where you want endnotes to appear.
Go to the 'References' tab on the top ribbon and click the small dialog box launcher icon in the Footnotes group to open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.
Under the 'Location' section, select the radio button for 'Endnotes' and choose 'End of section' from the adjacent dropdown menu.
In the 'Format' section, locate the 'Numbering' dropdown menu and change the setting from 'Continuous' to 'Restart each section'.
At the bottom of the dialog box, under 'Apply changes to', select 'Whole document' from the dropdown, then click the 'Apply' button to save your settings.
Manage Footnotes and Endnotes Easily in WPS Writer
WPS Writer provides a highly intuitive interface for managing academic references, footnotes, and endnotes. It handles section-based formatting flawlessly and gives you precise control over reference numbering.
- 1. Insert Section Breaks: Open your document in WPS Writer, go to the 'Page Layout' tab, select 'Breaks', and insert 'Section Breaks' between your chapters.
- 2. Access Reference Settings: Navigate to the 'References' tab and click the settings arrow icon in the bottom right of the Footnotes group.
- 3. Customize Endnotes: Select 'Endnotes', choose 'End of section', set the numbering to 'Restart each section', and click 'Apply'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my endnotes still appearing at the very end of the document?
This happens if your document lacks proper Section Breaks or if the endnote location is set to 'End of document' instead of 'End of section'. Ensure you insert breaks via Layout > Breaks > Section Breaks.
Can I have both footnotes on each page and endnotes at the end of each section?
Yes, you can use both simultaneously. You can configure footnotes to appear at the bottom of the page while setting endnotes to appear at the end of each section using the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.
How do I convert existing footnotes to endnotes in Word for Mac?
Open the Footnote and Endnote dialog, click the 'Convert...' button, select 'Convert all footnotes to endnotes', and click 'OK'. Ensure your section settings are applied afterward.
Will my section-based endnotes be preserved if I save the file as a PDF?
Yes, saving or exporting your document as a PDF will retain the exact formatting, placement, and numbering of all your footnotes and section endnotes.
