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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →In WordPress’s block editor, select the text you want to reference, open the inline toolbar’s additional formatting options, and choose Footnote. WordPress adds a numbered reference and takes you to a Footnotes block at the bottom of the post, where you can enter the note. The feature is built into WordPress 6.3 and later; it does not require a plugin. WordPress documentation
How to add a footnote in the WordPress block editor
- Open a post in the block editor. Create a new post or edit an existing one.
- In a text block, select the word or phrase that needs a note, or place the cursor where you want the footnote reference.
- Open the inline toolbar’s additional formatting options and select Footnote. The precise menu presentation can vary with the editor interface.
- WordPress inserts a numbered reference in the text and creates or moves focus to the Footnotes block at the end of the post.
- Type the source, explanation, or qualification in the corresponding footnote item.
The reference and note are linked automatically, including a link back to the reference. If you add a footnote earlier in the post or rearrange content blocks, WordPress updates the numbering. WordPress documentation
Format the Footnotes block
Select the Footnotes block to adjust the presentation using its block settings. Available controls cover typography, colors, spacing, dimensions, borders, and related design options; the exact controls depend on the editor and theme. WordPress documentation
The block is dynamic rather than a conventional static HTML block. WordPress stores it in post content as <!-- wp:footnotes /--> and renders the notes from the footnote references. WordPress Core Blocks reference
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How to remove a WordPress footnote
Remove the footnote reference from the post text to remove its corresponding note. Removing the Footnotes block alone leaves the references in the content, so it is not the right way to delete individual notes. WordPress documentation
Why the Footnote option may be missing
- Check the editor. The built-in feature is available in the block editor, not as a general option in every editing interface.
- Check the content type. Confirm that the post or other content type you are editing supports the feature.
- Consider the workflow. If you need footnotes in ACF blocks, WooCommerce content, or broader post-type handling, the Footnotes & Content plugin documents support for those use cases.
When to use a footnote plugin instead
For ordinary blog posts in the block editor, WordPress’s built-in feature is the simplest option. Consider an alternative when you specifically need a different insertion method, note display, or content-type support.
| Option | How notes are added | Presentation and behavior | Consider it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress Footnotes block | Use the inline Rich Text formatting option. | Numbered notes in a block at the end of the post; references and notes link to each other, and numbering updates when content changes. | You want a built-in block-editor workflow for supported content. |
| Easy Footnotes | Wrap note text in [efn_note] and [/efn_note] shortcodes. |
Builds a numbered list with hover and return links. | Your content workflow is based on shortcodes. |
| Modern Footnotes | Provides a Block Editor button. | Supports tooltip-style notes. | You want notes displayed as tooltips rather than only in a list at the end. Its directory documentation warns that other plugins can affect compatibility. |
| Footnotes & Content | Plugin workflow; specific insertion controls are not stated in the cited plugin documentation. | Documents broader content-type support, including ACF blocks and WooCommerce content. | You need support beyond standard blog-post content. |
Before choosing a plugin, check how it handles automatic numbering, links back to the text, accessibility and mobile behavior, and compatibility with your theme and other plugins. Tooltip display can save space, while a bottom-of-post list keeps notes visible together. Plugin documentation does not establish that every setup will behave identically.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What footnotes are for
A footnote is an annotation placed at the end of a paragraph, chapter, or page to provide additional information related to the content, according to WordPress’s style guide. Use one when a source, qualification, or brief clarification would interrupt the main text. WordPress documentation style guide
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