Free Word footnote check
Find out why your footnote numbers are wrong.
Choose a .docx file. We look for the settings and edits that make footnote and endnote numbers restart, skip or look out of order. If numbering restarts, you can download a copy that numbers notes from 1 straight through.
DOCX only, up to 25 MB. The check runs in this browser. Your file is not uploaded and the original is not changed.
Choose a file to check it.
What we found
Download a copy with continuous numbering
The copy removes "restart each page", "restart each section" and custom start numbers, so notes are numbered from 1 straight through the whole document. Note text is not changed. Your original is not changed.
Your file stays in this browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.
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Follow the troubleshooting steps in Word
The link opens this tool. It does not include your document or results. Tool link
Other causes to check in Word
- If a reference manager such as Zotero or EndNote made the notes, refresh it from its tab in Word after any fix.
- If you copied text with notes from another document, check the Footnote settings again. Pasted sections can bring their own numbering settings.
Supported files and limits
This check reads the body, notes and settings of a standard .docx file. It does not see how Word lays out pages, so it cannot say which page a note lands on. Encrypted, signed and macro-enabled files are not supported.