How to Change Footnote Symbols in Microsoft Word for Mac

Whether you're working on a research paper, a long-form article, or any other document that requires footnotes, you might find it necessary to change the default footnote symbol. Here’s how to do it in Microsoft Word for Mac.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Footnote Symbols in Word for Mac

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document where you want to change the footnote symbols.

Step 2: Access the Footnote Menu

On the Ribbon at the top of the screen, locate the References tab. Within this tab, you will find the Footnotes group.

Step 3: Open the Footnote and Endnote Dialog Box

Click on the Footnote button. This will open the Footnote and Endnote dialog box, where you can customize your footnote settings, including the symbol.

Step 4: Customize the Footnote Symbol

In the dialog box, look for the Symbol option. Click on the dropdown menu to view a list of available symbols. To choose a custom symbol, select Custom Symbol and enter your preferred symbol in the text box.

Step 5: Apply the Changes

Once you have selected or entered your desired symbol, click OK or Apply. Your document will then update with the new footnote symbols.

Step 6: Verify the Changes

Go through your document to ensure that the new symbol has been applied to all footnotes. If you need to change symbols for specific footnotes, you may need to adjust them individually after insertion.

It's worth noting that you can also adjust the size or font of the footnote symbols just like any other text in the document. To do this, select the footnote symbol, then go to the Home tab and use the Font options.

Further Tips for Managing Footnotes

Updating Footnote Sizes or Fonts

If you need to change the size or font of the footnote symbols, simply select the symbol and apply the desired formatting from the Home tab's Font options.

Managing Cross-References

When you add, delete, or move a footnote that is cross-referenced, you must update the cross-reference number. To do this, hold down the Control key and click on the cross-reference number. From the shortcut menu, choose Update Field. Keep in mind that cross-references are also automatically updated when you print.

Special Credit: These steps have been compiled based on Microsoft Support guidelines and are designed to ensure that you can easily manage your footnotes in Microsoft Word for Mac.