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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.

deepakjhic's avatar
deepakjhic
Copper Contributor
May 04, 2026

It looks like your footnotes are leaving unwanted blank lines. The quickest fix is to check the Footnote Separator in Draft View - go to View > Draft, then References > Show Notes, choose Footnote Separator, and delete any extra paragraph marks. If that doesn’t help, look at the Footnote Text style in the Styles pane and remove extra spacing there. Converting the document out of Compatibility Mode or repairing the file can also clear hidden formatting issues.