How to Count Words Without Footnotes or Captions in Word for Mac
Question details
The user needs to get an accurate word count in Microsoft Word for Mac that specifically excludes footnotes, endnotes, and image captions.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Checking document length for assignments, essays, or publishing requirements where footnotes and captions should not contribute to the total word limit.
- Observed behavior
- By default, the word count tool may include elements like footnotes and text boxes that the user wants to omit, requiring adjustments to the word count settings.
Ensure your footnotes, endnotes, and captions were created using Word's built-in reference tools, as manually typed footnotes or captions will be treated and counted as regular body text.
Using the Word Count Dialog Box
The most direct way to customize your word count settings in Word for Mac is to modify the inclusion options within the Word Count dialog box.
Navigate to the top menu bar on your Mac and click on 'Tools', then select 'Word Count'. Alternatively, go to the 'Review' tab on the main ribbon and click the 'Word Count' icon.
In the Word Count dialog box that appears, locate the checkbox labeled 'Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes'. Uncheck this box to exclude these elements from your total document count.
Captions generated via the 'Insert Caption' feature are excluded from the main word count by default. Review your document statistics to ensure the numbers match your expectations.
Easily Count Words Without Footnotes in WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive and highly compatible word processing experience for Mac users. You can easily manage your document statistics, including word counts that exclude footnotes, endnotes, and text boxes, just like in Microsoft Word.
- 1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and open your target document.
- 2. Access the Word Count tool: Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Word Count' button, or click the word count display in the bottom status bar.
- 3. Exclude footnotes and endnotes: In the pop-up dialog box, simply uncheck the option to include footnotes and endnotes to instantly view your pure text word count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my captions still being included in the word count?
If your captions are being counted, they were likely typed manually as regular text rather than inserted using the 'Insert > Caption' feature. Only automatically generated captions are excluded by default.
Can I keep the word count visible on my screen while I type?
Yes. You can view the live word count in the status bar at the bottom of the Word window. If the word count is not visible, right-click the status bar and select 'Word Count' to enable it.
Does unchecking the footnotes box also exclude text boxes?
Yes, in Word for Mac, the option in the Word Count dialog box is typically bundled as 'Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes'. Unchecking it will exclude all three of these elements from your final count.
