Office Settings & Configuration

How to Request More Footnote Number Formats in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to use or request additional footnote number formats like 1), 2), 3) or (1), (2), (3) in Microsoft Word, which currently only offers standard formats.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting an academic or professional document where specific custom footnote formats are required by a style guide.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word currently lacks native support for bracketed or custom-punctuated footnote formats, offering only common options like Arabic and Roman numerals.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed into your Microsoft account before accessing the Feedback portal so you can properly track and receive updates on your feature request.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit a Feature Request Directly in Microsoft Word

Use the built-in Help feature in Word to send a direct suggestion to the Microsoft product team.

The fastest way to let Microsoft know about a missing feature is through the in-app feedback tool. This automatically routes your suggestion to the relevant development team.

Open the Help Menu

Launch Microsoft Word and open any document. Click on the 'Help' tab located in the top ribbon menu.

Select the Feedback Option

Click on 'Feedback' to open a sidebar on the right side of the screen.

Submit Your Suggestion

Choose 'I have a suggestion'. Describe your need for custom footnote formats such as 1) or (1), and click 'Submit' to send your request.

Solution 2

Vote or Submit Ideas on the Microsoft Feedback Portal

Use the official Microsoft Feedback website to post your idea publicly and gather votes from other users.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Better Document Editing Experience? Try WPS Office

If you frequently encounter formatting limitations in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible Office suite that offers robust document editing tools and a familiar user interface.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents to continue formatting your footnotes without losing any data.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Rich document formatting features, including customizable footnotes and endnotes.Free and lightweight, taking up minimal system resources on your device.Familiar tabbed user interface for seamless migration from Microsoft Office without a learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I manually create footnote formats like (1) in Word using a workaround?

Yes, as a workaround, you can use Word's Find and Replace feature to manually add brackets around existing footnote references. However, you will need to reapply this step whenever you add new footnotes, as it does not change the default automated format.

Does Microsoft actively respond to feature requests submitted through Word?

Microsoft's product and engineering teams review feedback submitted through the in-app tool and the Feedback portal. Suggestions with a high number of community votes are more likely to be reviewed and prioritized in future updates.

Are custom bracketed footnote numbers supported in WPS Office?

WPS Office offers comprehensive footnote and endnote customization. Similar to Word, you can apply standard formats or utilize advanced text replacement tools to format your numbering precisely as needed.

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