How to Do Footnotes in Google Docs
Footnotes let you add citations, references, and explanatory notes without cluttering your main text. This guide shows you how to add footnotes in Google Docs on desktop and mobile, plus tips for formatting citations.
Quick Answer
To add a footnote in Google Docs, place your cursor where you want the reference, then press Ctrl + Alt + F on Windows, or Cmd + Option + F on Mac. Type your footnote at the bottom of the page.
What Are Footnotes?
Footnotes are notes placed at the bottom of a page that provide additional information about something in your text. When you add a footnote, Google Docs inserts a small superscript number at the reference point (like this1) and creates a corresponding numbered note at the bottom of that page.
Footnotes are commonly used for:
- Citations and references to credit sources and avoid plagiarism
- Explanatory notes that provide context without interrupting the flow of text
- Copyright permissions when quoting or using external material
- Clarifications of technical terms or concepts
- Cross-references to other parts of your document
Google Docs automatically numbers your footnotes and keeps them in order, even when you add or remove footnotes in the middle of your document.
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)
The quickest way to add a footnote in Google Docs is using the keyboard shortcut. This inserts a footnote reference and takes you directly to the footnote area.
Windows / Chromebook
Mac
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Position your cursor at the end of the sentence or word where you want to add a footnote reference. Typically, footnote numbers go after punctuation marks.
- Press the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Alt+F on Windows or Cmd+Option+F on Mac). A superscript number appears in your text.
- Type your footnote in the space that appears at the bottom of the page. Your cursor automatically moves there.
- Click back in your main text or press Escape to return to your document and continue writing.
Pro Tip: Place footnote numbers after commas and periods, but before colons and semicolons. For quoted material, the footnote number typically goes after the closing quotation mark.
Method 3: Adding Footnotes on Mobile
You can add footnotes in the Google Docs app on both Android and iPhone. The process is the same on both platforms.
Step-by-Step Instructions (Android and iOS)
- Open your document in the Google Docs app.
- Tap to place your cursor where you want the footnote reference.
- Tap the + icon (Insert) at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap "Footnote" in the menu that appears.
- Type your footnote text in the space provided at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap elsewhere in your document to return to the main text.
On mobile, footnotes work the same way as on desktop. The superscript number appears in your text, and the corresponding note appears at the bottom of the page.
How to Edit Footnotes
Editing a footnote in Google Docs is straightforward. You can modify the footnote text at any time.
Method 1: Click the Footnote Number
- Click on the superscript footnote number in your main text.
- Google Docs scrolls to and highlights the corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page.
- Click in the footnote text and make your edits.
Method 2: Scroll to the Footnote
- Scroll to the bottom of the page where your footnote appears.
- Click directly in the footnote text.
- Edit the text as needed.
Any changes you make to footnote text are saved automatically. You cannot change footnote numbers manually because Google Docs manages numbering automatically.
How to Delete Footnotes
Deleting a footnote requires removing the reference number in your main text, not the footnote text itself.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Find the superscript footnote number in your main text (not at the bottom of the page).
- Place your cursor directly after the footnote number.
- Press Backspace (or Delete on Mac) to remove the number.
- The footnote text at the bottom is automatically removed, and all remaining footnotes are renumbered.
Important: Simply deleting the footnote text at the bottom of the page will NOT remove the footnote. You must delete the superscript number in the main text. If you only delete the footnote text, the reference number remains, and your footnote will be empty.
Formatting Footnotes
You can format footnote text just like any other text in Google Docs. This includes changing fonts, sizes, adding bold or italic styling, and adjusting spacing.
Basic Formatting Options
- Font and size: Select footnote text and change it using the toolbar or Format menu.
- Bold, italic, underline: Apply standard text formatting using keyboard shortcuts or the toolbar.
- Links: Highlight text in your footnote and press Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on Mac) to add a hyperlink.
Adjusting Line Spacing
For academic papers, you may need specific line spacing in footnotes:
- Select all your footnote text.
- Go to Format → Line & paragraph spacing.
- Choose your preferred spacing (single-spaced is common for footnotes).
- To add space between footnotes, select "Add space after paragraph."
Indenting Footnotes
Many citation styles require indented footnotes:
- Place your cursor at the beginning of a footnote.
- Press Tab to indent the first line, or
- Use the ruler at the top of the document to set a custom indent.
Footnotes for Different Citation Styles
Different academic and professional fields use different citation formats for footnotes. Here are the most common styles:
Chicago/Turabian Style
Chicago style is the most common format that uses footnotes. Key requirements:
- Single-space each footnote with a blank line between entries
- Indent the first line of each footnote
- Include full citation information on first reference, shortened format for subsequent references
MLA Style
MLA primarily uses parenthetical citations, but allows footnotes for supplementary information:
- Use footnotes for content notes (explanations) or bibliographic notes (source lists)
- Number notes consecutively throughout the paper
APA Style
APA rarely uses footnotes, preferring in-text citations. When footnotes are used:
- Reserve for supplementary content only
- Keep footnotes brief and essential
Example Chicago Style Footnote
1. Jane Smith, The Complete Guide to Writing (New York: Publishing House, 2024), 45.
Using Explore to Add Citations
Google Docs has a built-in Explore feature that can help you find sources and insert properly formatted citations as footnotes.
How to Use Explore for Citations
- Open the Explore panel by clicking Tools → Explore, or pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+I (Cmd+Option+Shift+I on Mac).
- Search for your topic in the Explore panel. Google will show web results, images, and related documents.
- Choose your citation format by clicking the three-dot menu in the Explore panel and selecting MLA, APA, or Chicago.
- Hover over a source you want to cite and click the quotation mark icon.
- Google Docs inserts a footnote with a properly formatted citation.
Note: By default, Explore inserts MLA-style citations. Always verify the formatting matches your required citation style, as automatic citations may need minor adjustments.
Third-Party Citation Tools
For more advanced citation management, you can use Google Docs add-ons:
- EasyBib: Free citation generator with multiple style options
- Paperpile: Research and citation manager designed for academics
- Zotero: Free tool for collecting and organizing research sources
- EndNote: Professional citation manager with Google Docs integration
To install an add-on, go to Extensions → Add-ons → Get add-ons, then search for the citation tool you want.
Footnotes in Pageless Mode
Google Docs offers a "pageless" format that removes page breaks and creates a continuous scrolling document. Footnotes behave differently in this mode.
How Footnotes Work in Pageless Mode
In pageless mode, all footnotes appear together at the end of your document instead of at the bottom of each page. This is because there are no "pages" to place them on.
Switching Between Modes
- Go to File → Page setup.
- At the top, choose between "Pages" and "Pageless."
- Click OK to apply.
If you need traditional footnotes at the bottom of each page, use the Pages format. If you are creating web content or do not need page breaks, pageless mode works well, but be aware that all footnotes will be grouped at the end.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Footnote Option Missing?
If you cannot find the Footnote option:
- Check under Insert → Page elements → Footnote (Google updated the menu location in 2025)
- Make sure you are in editing mode, not suggestion or viewing mode
- Try using the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Alt+F or Cmd+Option+F) instead
Keyboard Shortcut Not Working?
- Browser extensions: Some extensions may capture keyboard shortcuts. Try disabling them temporarily.
- Operating system shortcuts: Your OS may have conflicting shortcuts. Check your system keyboard settings.
- Use the menu: If shortcuts fail, Insert → Footnote always works.
Footnote Formatting Looks Wrong After Pasting?
When you paste text into a footnote, the formatting may not match:
- Paste using Ctrl+Shift+V (Cmd+Shift+V on Mac) to paste without formatting.
- Alternatively, paste normally, then select the text and go to Format → Clear formatting.
- Reapply the formatting you need to match your document style.
Footnote Numbers Out of Order?
Google Docs automatically renumbers footnotes. If they appear out of order:
- Refresh your browser (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R)
- Check if you are viewing the document in the correct order (not sorted by another method)
- This can happen temporarily during collaborative editing; the numbers usually correct themselves
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the keyboard shortcut for footnotes in Google Docs?
The keyboard shortcut for adding a footnote in Google Docs is Ctrl+Alt+F on Windows and Chromebook, or Cmd+Option+F (Command+Option+F) on Mac.
How do I delete a footnote in Google Docs?
To delete a footnote, find the superscript footnote number in your main text and delete it using Backspace. This automatically removes both the reference number and the footnote text. You cannot delete a footnote by only erasing the footnote text at the bottom of the page.
Can I add footnotes in Google Docs on mobile?
Yes, you can add footnotes in the Google Docs mobile app. Tap where you want the footnote, tap the + icon at the top of the screen, scroll down and tap Footnote, then type your footnote text.
Where do footnotes appear in Google Docs pageless mode?
In pageless mode, footnotes appear together at the end of your document rather than at the bottom of each page. This is because pageless mode removes page breaks entirely.
How do I format footnotes for Chicago style?
For Chicago style footnotes, single-space each footnote with a blank line between entries. Indent the first line of each footnote. You can use the Explore feature to automatically generate Chicago style citations, or format them manually following Chicago Manual of Style guidelines.
What is the difference between footnotes and endnotes?
Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page where the reference occurs. Endnotes appear at the end of the entire document. Google Docs only supports footnotes natively. In pageless mode, all footnotes function similar to endnotes by appearing at the document end.
Can I convert footnotes to endnotes in Google Docs?
Google Docs does not have a built-in feature to convert footnotes to endnotes. You can manually copy footnote text to the end of your document, or switch to pageless mode where all footnotes appear at the end.
Why are my footnote numbers not in order?
Google Docs automatically numbers footnotes based on their position in the document. If numbers seem out of order, try refreshing your browser. This can also happen temporarily during collaborative editing when multiple people add footnotes simultaneously.
Summary
Adding footnotes in Google Docs is straightforward once you know the methods:
- Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+F (Windows) or Cmd+Option+F (Mac) for the fastest method.
- Insert menu: Insert → Footnote (or Insert → Page elements → Footnote).
- Mobile app: Tap +, then Footnote.
To delete a footnote, remove the superscript number in your main text. Google Docs handles all numbering automatically, so you never need to manually update footnote numbers.
For academic writing, use the Explore feature or citation add-ons to generate properly formatted citations. Always check that your footnotes match the required citation style (Chicago, MLA, APA) for your assignment or publication.
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