5 Ways to Reset Footnote or Endnote Reference Numbers to Normal Text Formatting in Note Area

In this article, we will offer you 5 ways to reset footnote or endnote reference numbers to normal text formatting in note area.

Whenever we insert footnotes or endnotes, there will be the reference numbers in main texts and the note area. And by default, these numbers, in both 2 locations, are in superscript. What if we want to change the superscript numbers in note area to normal text but leave reference numbers in main texts intact? Relax! Here are our ways.

Method 1: Use “Ctrl+ A” in Note Range

1. Firstly, put cursor at note area, be it in footnote or endnote area.
2. Then press “Ctrl+ A” to select all texts and reference numbers.
3. Go to click “Home” tab then click the “Superscript” command.

The next thing you see is that the superscript formatting is gone.

Method 2: Use Shortcuts

1. To begin with, select one of the notes, including the reference number. Here we take the example of modifying footnote reference number formatting.
2. Secondly, click “Select” command under “Home” tab.
3. Then on its drop-down menu, choose “Select Text with Similar Formatting”.
4. Now all reference numbers are in selection. Press “Ctrl+ Shift+ =” to remove superscript formatting.

Method 3: Change Formatting under “Draft” View

1. First off, click “View”.
2. Then click “Draft” to switch to the view.
3. Next click “References” and “Show Notes”.
4. In the “Show Notes” box, check either “View footnote area” or “View endnote area” box.
5. Click “OK” to open the note pane at the bottom of the screen.
6. In our case, choose “All Footnotes” on the drop-down box.
7. Select all texts and numbers at the note area.
8. Press “Ctrl+ Shift+ =” to get rid of superscript formatting.

Method 4: Run Word Macro

1. First of all, press “Alt+ F11” to trigger VBA editor in Word.
2. Next click “Normal”.
3. Then click “Insert” tab and click “Module” to create a new one.
4. And double click on the module to open it.
5. Paste the following codes there:

Sub ChangeFootnoteAndEndnoteSuperscripNumberToNormal()

  If ActiveWindow.View.SplitSpecial = wdPaneNone Then
    ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Type = wdNormalView
  Else
    ActiveWindow.View.Type = wdNormalView
  End If
  If ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Type = wdPrintView Or ActiveWindow. _
    ActivePane.View.Type = wdWebView Or ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Type = _
      wdPrintPreview Then
    ActiveWindow.View.SeekView = wdSeekFootnotes
  Else
    ActiveWindow.View.SplitSpecial = wdPaneFootnotes
  End If
  Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
  With Selection.Find.Font
    .Superscript = True
    .Subscript = False
  End With
  Selection.Find.Replacement.ClearFormatting
  With Selection.Find.Replacement.Font
    .Superscript = False
    .Subscript = False
  End With
  With Selection.Find
    .Text = ""
    .Replacement.Text = ""
    .Forward = True
    .Wrap = wdFindContinue
    .Format = True
    .MatchCase = False
    .MatchWholeWord = False
    .MatchByte = True
    .MatchWildcards = False
    .MatchSoundsLike = False
    .MatchAllWordForms = False
  End With
  Selection.Find.Execute Replace:=wdReplaceAll
  If ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Type = wdPrintView Or ActiveWindow. _
    ActivePane.View.Type = wdWebView Or ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Type = _
      wdPrintPreview Then
    ActiveWindow.View.SeekView = wdSeekEndnotes
  Else
    ActiveWindow.View.SplitSpecial = wdPaneEndnotes
  End If
  Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
  With Selection.Find.Font
    .Superscript = True
    .Subscript = False
  End With
  Selection.Find.Replacement.ClearFormatting
  With Selection.Find.Replacement.Font
    .Superscript = False
    .Subscript = False
  End With
  With Selection.Find
    .Text = ""
    .Replacement.Text = ""
    .Forward = True
    .Wrap = wdFindContinue
    .Format = True
    .MatchCase = False
    .MatchWholeWord = False
    .MatchByte = True
    .MatchWildcards = False
    .MatchSoundsLike = False
    .MatchAllWordForms = False
  End With
  Selection.Find.Execute Replace:=wdReplaceAll
  If ActiveWindow.View.SplitSpecial = wdPaneNone Then
    ActiveWindow.ActivePane.View.Type = wdPrintView
  Else
    ActiveWindow.View.Type = wdPrintView
  End If
End Sub

6. Finally, click “Run”.

This macro works on both footnotes and endnotes, so you can change the formatting in seconds.

Method 5: Utilize “Find and Replace” Feature

1. First, repeat first 3 steps in method 2.
2. Then press “Ctrl+ H” to open the “Find and Replace” dialog box.
3. Remember to clear formatting in both “Find what” and “Replace with” text boxes.
4. Next place cursor at “Find what” text and click “More” button.
5. Click “Format” tab and choose “Font” option.
6. Now in “Find Font” dialog box, check “Superscript” box and click “OK”.
7. Then position cursor at “Replace with” text box.
8. Repeat step 5.
9. This time in “Find Font” dialog box, clear the check marks in “Superscript” and “Subscript” boxes and click “OK”.
10. Lastly, go back to “Find and Replace” box. Click “Replace All”.

Address Document Issues

Word is capable of so many features and functions. Since Word is not fool proof, you can never tell when it will fail. If you want to test them all, just be on the safe side and back up your documents. After all, a damaged docx is the least we want to see.

Author Introduction:

Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including xls recovery and pdf repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com