Forum Discussion

Yolanda1234567's avatar
Yolanda1234567
Copper Contributor
May 01, 2026
Solved

Problem with footnotes

When I add a footnote in (all) Word files, it automatically adds an Enter key below the footnote. When I close Word and reopen it, it duplicates that Enter key. Microsoft Help has already been contac...
  • bkhenley's avatar
    bkhenley
    May 04, 2026

    Right click one of the footnotes > paragraph > indents & spacing tab.  I assume you're Spacing After is 12 pts (or something other than 0)?  If so, that's what is causing the blank line below each footnote (it's likely built into the Footnote Text style).  If that setting says "auto," try switching it to 12 pt (2 up arrows) and see if you get the same result re: spacing.  However, the spacing doesn't multiply on its own in my experience.  Are you using a .doc or a .docx file?  If .doc, convert to .docx and see if the behavior persists.  Also, when you hit Ctrl + P, do you see the same spacing in print preview that you do when editing the document?  Confirm that the Footnote Text style is being applied to your footnote (and hasn't been switched to something else).  If it's something else, re-apply Footnote Text and see if that makes any difference.

Lisa_Wilke-Thissen's avatar
Lisa_Wilke-Thissen
MVP
May 02, 2026

Hi,

Are additional (blank) paragraph breaks inserted after each footnote, or only at the bottom of the page after a block containing multiple footnotes?

A similar problem occurred in earlier versions of Word after style settings were changed. Which version of Word do you use? Are you working in Compatibility mode? Which template is used to create your documents? Does the problem still exist after opening a file by "Open and Repair"?

Best regards,
Lisa