How to Add Footnotes in Google Docs [2023 Guide]

If you’re writing a document in Google Docs, adding footnotes can help you provide additional information, cite sources, explain complex ideas, or acknowledge contributions without disrupting the flow of your main text.

To add footnotes in Google Docs, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+Alt+F” or access the “Insert” menu, select “Footnote,” and type your footnote text in the bottom section of the page.

Read on to learn how to add footnotes in Google Docs using methods on desktop and mobile devices.

What is a Footnote, And What is it Used For?

A footnote is a reference or explanation that appears at the bottom of a page in a document. Footnotes are commonly used in academic writing, research papers, and other forms of documentation. Footnotes serve several purposes, including:

• Providing additional information: Footnotes allow writers to include additional information without disrupting the flow of the main text. They can be used to provide context, background information, or clarification on a particular point.
• Citing sources: Use footnotes to cite sources, such as books, articles, or websites. This allows readers to verify the information presented in the document and follow up on additional reading if they are interested.
• Explaining complex ideas: Footnotes can be used to explain complex ideas in more detail. This is especially helpful for technical or scientific writing, where defining certain terms or concepts are necessary.
• Acknowledging contributions: Footnotes can also be used to acknowledge the contributions of other people or organizations. This is common in academic writing, where authors may want to acknowledge the help of their colleagues or funding sources.

How to Add Footnotes in Google Docs on Desktop

Adding footnotes in Google Docs on a desktop is quick and easy. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your document in Google Docs.
2. Click on the place where you want to add a footnote. This could be a word or phrase to which you want to add information.
3. From the top menu, select “Insert” > “Footnote” (or use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Alt + F”).

4. Upon clicking, a small number will appear at the end of the word or phrase where you want to add the footnote, alongside a corresponding number at the bottom of the page.
5. Type your footnote text in the footnote area. You can format the text like any other text in your document.

How to Add Footnotes in Google Docs on Mobile Devices

To add footnotes in Google Docs on mobile devices, simply follow the steps below:

1. Open your Google Docs app on your mobile device and open the document that you want to add footnotes to.
2. Tap on the place where you want to insert the footnote.
3. Tap the “Plus (+)” icon in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
4. Scroll down and tap on “Footnote” from the list of options.

5. A small number will appear at the end of the word or phrase where you want to add the footnote, and a corresponding number will appear at the bottom of the page.
6. Type your footnote text at the bottom of the page. You can format the text as you would any other text in your document.

How to Add a Formatted Footnote Using the Explore Feature

The Google Docs Explore feature is a helpful tool that lets you add citations and formatted footnotes to your document. It’s a simple and fast process, making it a great footnote tool. Here’s what you should do:

1. First, open your Google Docs document.
2. Then, click on the “Explore” button in the bottom right corner of your Google Docs document.

3. In the “Explore” sidebar that appears on the right, type in the information that you want to add a footnote for, and press “Enter.”

4. Select the result you want to add and click the “Cite as a footnote” option in the search results.

5. Upon clicking, a formatted footnote will be added to your document, complete with the information you searched for.

This feature is handy if you’re working with many sources and want to manually enter only some of your citations and footnotes.

How to use Add-on Citation Alternatives

If you’re looking for a more streamlined way to add footnotes and citations to your Google Document, there are a few add-on citation alternatives you can try:

1. EasyBib

This add-on allows you to generate citations in various styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. Simply select the source type and fill in the required information, and the add-on will generate a formatted citation for you.

2. Zotero

Zotero is a citation management tool that lets you create and organize citations for your sources. The Zotero add-on for Google Docs allows you to easily insert citations and footnotes from your Zotero library into your document.

3. Paperpile

Paperpile is a reference manager that allows you to store and organize your references, as well as generate citations and bibliographies. The Paperpile add-on for Google Docs makes it easy to insert citations and footnotes from your Paperpile library into your document.

These add-ons can save you time and effort when adding footnotes and citations to your document. Check the formatting and make any necessary adjustments before submitting your final draft.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Shortcut to Add Footnotes in Google Docs?

Adding footnotes in Google Docs is a simple process that can be done using a keyboard shortcut or by accessing the “Insert” menu. To add footnotes using the keyboard shortcut, simply follow these steps:

1. Place your cursor in the text where you want to add a footnote.
2. Press “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “F” on a PC or “Command” + “Option” + “F” on a Mac.
3. A small number will appear in superscript at the end of the sentence, and your cursor will jump to the bottom of the page, where you can add your footnote.
4. Type your footnote text in the box at the page’s bottom.
5. Click outside the box to return to your main text.

Do Footnotes Go in the Footer of Google Docs?

Traditionally, footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page, but Google Docs provides several options for where to place your footnotes. By default, footnotes in Google Docs appear at the bottom of the page, but you can also choose to have them appear at the end of the document or on a separate page.

To change the location of your footnotes, follow these steps:

1. First, click on the “Insert” menu in the top toolbar.
2. Next, select “Footnote” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on the three dots button in the bottom right corner of the footnote box.
4. Choose your preferred location for the footnotes from the drop-down menu. The options are “Bottom of page,” “End of document,” or “Below text.”

If you choose the “Bottom of the page” option, the footnotes will appear at the bottom of the current page. If you select the “End of document” option, the footnotes will be grouped at the end of the document. Finally, if you choose the “Below the text” option, the footnotes will appear at the end of each section.

Wrapping it Up

Overall, adding footnotes in Google Docs is a simple and straightforward process. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily add footnotes to your document, providing additional context and references for your readers.

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