How tell whether footnote reference is a reference v. cross-refere

[mkraft]

Footnote 'references' look the same as 'cross-references' to the same
footnotes. I understand the logic there -- you want more than one reference
to the same footnote, one that will also update with any removal of existing
footnotes, or addition of new ones.

But how can you be sure whether you are looking at the footnote or the
cross-reference?

Is there any other way besides searching/hunting for the first instance of
each footnote number (or letter, etc.)? In a complex table with many
footnotes and cross-references to footnotes, that can become rather tedious.

Thanks.

 

[mkraft]

Hmm, I don't know what the problem is (i.e., no replies). Maybe my post
wasn't clear.

OK, second try:

If you see a footnote number -- e.g., in a table column -- how can you tell
whether it's the original footnote reference or a cross-reference (to the
same footnote as the original footnote reference)? For example, a
superscripted number 4 -- it could be a footnote (i.e., footnote 4), but it
could also be a cross-reference that was created to refer to footnote 4.

These will look exactly the same, so how, if at all, can you tell you've got
the 'footnote' and not the 'cross reference' to the footnote?

Thanks.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

They actually don't look the same. The footnote reference has a dotted box
around it; the cross-reference does not have the box.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[mkraft]

They actually don't look the same. The footnote reference has a dotted box
around it; the cross-reference does not have the box.

I haven't noticed that but will check and post a follow-up. Possibly I've
missed it because the table is so complex and in a very small (6-pt.) font
size.

Is this contrasting display always evident or does some 'preference' or
other menu item have to be checked in order to see the dotted box around the
original footnote?

Thanks.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

This is standard; I would have thought it might be affected by the "text
boundaries" setting, but it is not. If the references are very small, you
can use a higher Zoom. Many users erroneously believe that they have two
footnote 5s and no 6 (or maybe it's the other way around) because the
references, especially when complicated by the bounding box, display so
purely at 100% Zoom.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[mkraft]

The footnote reference has a dotted box

around it; the cross-reference does not have the box.

I am not seeing this on my screen -- i.e., there is nothing distinguishing
the actual footnote reference from cross-references to the same footnote.

Is the 'dotted box' something that was added in post-Word 2003 versions?

Thanks.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

AFAIK the dotted box has always been there. It is certainly there in Word
2003 (there is only one "post-Word 2003 version"). I assume you're not using
a Mac version?

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[mkraft]

AFAIK the dotted box has always been there. It is certainly there in Word

2003 (there is only one "post-Word 2003 version"). I assume you're not using
a Mac version?

No, I only use WORD on a PC (Windows XP). No sign of any dotted box for
footnote *or* cross-references to footnotes.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I don't know what to say. I see the dotted box both in the text and in the
footnote. Have you tried looking at, say, 200% Zoom?

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[mkraft]

I don't know what to say. I see the dotted box both in the text and in the

footnote. Have you tried looking at, say, 200% Zoom?

I've been up to at least 150% (zoom) because the text in the table is so
small. But my eyes aren't so bad that I'd miss a dotted box.

Couldn't this depend on the display hardware being used?

I recently used WORD on a laptop (PC) and I do recall seeing the dotted
boxes then (although the display was, overall, inferior to that on the
desktop PC's monitor).

Thanks.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I don't see how it could be hardware-dependent, but I don't have any other
explanation, either.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[mkraft]

I don't see how it could be hardware-dependent, but I don't have any other

explanation, either.

An unanswered question within the hallowed halls of microsoft.com? Whoever
would have guessed it could happen?

Thanks anyway for your efforts.

 

[David S]

Another way to tell the footnote marker and the cross reference apart (before
your document is finished) would be to change the font colour for the
relevant style while you are working on the document, and then change it back
when finished.

 

[mkraft]

Another way to tell the footnote marker and the cross reference apart
(before

your document is finished) would be to change the font colour for the
relevant style while you are working on the document, and then change it back
when finished.

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks, I'll try it.

 

[Neil C]

You could also try selecting the text and toggling on the field codes. Cross
references show up as field code, footnotes do not. At least that's in W 2007.