Referring twice to the same footnote in Word

How do you refer to the same footnote twice on Microsoft Office Word 2007 or 2010?


Solution 1:

You're able to reference footnotes multiple times in Microsoft Word by using cross-references. However, cross-references have a minor limitation – if you insert another footnote above the original one, the footnote number will update, automatically, immediately, but the cross-reference number will not. There are a few ways to update the cross-references in a document:

  • Simply open the Print Preview window (and then close it).
  • Select the cross-reference(s) that need to be updated (easy way: type Ctrl+A to select the entire document) and press F9.
  • There are other ways, mostly using macros; see The CyberText Newsletter.

(These work for other types of cross-reference (e.g., page numbers or section numbers) too.)

To insert a footnote and then use a cross-reference:

  1. With Microsoft Word open, place the cursor where the original footnote needs to be placed
  2. Select the 'References' ribbon
  3. Select the 'Insert Footnote' button and enter the footnote information
  4. Place the cursor where the second footnote needs to be placed
  5. Select the 'References' ribbon
  6. Select 'Cross-reference'
  7. Under 'Reference type' select 'Footnote'
  8. Under 'Insert reference to' select 'Footnote number (formatted)'
  9. Under 'For which footnote' select the appropriate footnote you need to cross reference
  10. Click 'Insert'
  11. Click 'Close'

“Insert Cross-reference” dialog box

  • Source: Word 2010 – Referring to the same footnote twice