Adding footnotes in PowerPoint is a simple yet powerful way to credit sources, provide context, and maintain a professional appearance on your slides. However, many users struggle to figure out how to add a footnote in PowerPoint, especially since the feature isn’t as obvious as in Word.
You might be wondering where the option is hidden, how to make the footnote look professional, or how to keep it consistent across all slides. This guide will walk you through the process step by step so you can insert footnotes quickly and effectively.
How to Insert Footnotes on PowerPoint on Windows and Mac
First, let’s look at how to insert footnotes in PowerPoint on Windows and Mac. As the most popular platforms for PowerPoint, both offer multiple ways to add footnotes, so you can choose the method that best fits your needs.
1. Add Footnotes to PowerPoint Using the Footer
Applicable Scene: When you need to add only one footnote
It’s a simple and effective method to add footnotes to PPT using the footer tool, especially when you need a consistent footnote across multiple slides. This approach places the footnote text at the bottom of each slide to ensure a clean and professional appearance without interfering with the main content.
However, the footer method supports only one footnote per slide, and that is why it’s not the best choice for users who need more than one reference on the same slide. If you decide to add footnotes in this way, don’t forget to preview your slides after adding footnotes to ensure the text doesn’t overlap or crowd other elements.
🔍 Here is a tutorial on how to insert a footnote in PowerPoint by adding a footer. And it’s available on both Windows and Mac devices.
Step 1. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon and click Header & Footer (on Mac, it may appear as Slide Number & Footer).
Step 2. In the dialog box, check the Footer option.
Step 3. Enter your footnote text in the footer field.
Step 4. Click Apply to add the footnote to the current slide or Apply to All to add it to every slide.
2. Put a Footnote in PowerPoint Using Superscript
Applicable Scene: When you need to add multiple footnotes on one slide
Using superscript for footnotes in PowerPoint is ideal when you need to reference multiple points on a single slide without cluttering the main content. It’s especially useful for presentations that include research data, quotes, or statistics where proper attribution is important.
Because superscripts are subtle yet noticeable, they maintain the flow of the presentation while ensuring that supporting details or citations remain accessible. This makes it a preferred choice for academic, business, and research-based presentations that require multiple references on the same slide.
🔍 Follow these steps to insert PowerPoint Footnotes using superscript:
Step 1. Place the cursor where you want the footnote reference and type the number or symbol.
Step 2. Select that number or symbol, go to the Home tab, and click the small dialog-box launcher (the diagonal arrow) in the Font group.
Step 3. In the Font dialog, check Superscript, set the Offset to about 60–70%, and click OK. (Shortcut option: after selecting the character, press Ctrl + Shift + = to toggle superscript; use the Font dialog for precise offset.)
Step 4. Move to the bottom of the slide, insert the same number or symbol, and type the corresponding footnote text in a smaller font so the citation reads clearly but does not distract.
How to Insert Footnotes on PowerPoint on iPad/iPhone
Although PowerPoint is not a built-in app on iPad and iPhone and offers fewer features compared to the Windows or Mac versions, you can still add footnotes to your presentations on these devices. In this section, we will teach you how to add PowerPoint footnotes on iPad and iPhone using this method.
1. Insert a Footnote in PowerPoint on iPad
Because PowerPoint on iPad has fewer features than the desktop versions, adding a footnote to PPT requires a manual approach. The most effective way is to use superscript numbers or symbols placed directly after the referenced text.
These small markers connect to matching notes or citations typed at the bottom of the slide to make your presentation clear and professional. In this way, you can maintain proper referencing and readability while working on a mobile device.
🔍 Here is how to put a footnote in PowerPoint on iPad:
Step 1. Tap the slide text where you want to add the footnote number or symbol and type it.
Step 2. Select the number or symbol, then tap the Format button (paintbrush icon) on the top toolbar.
Step 3. In the Format menu, choose Font, then toggle on the Superscript option to raise the character.
Step 4. Scroll to the bottom of the slide, tap to add text, type the same number or symbol, and enter the corresponding footnote text.
2. Insert a Footnote in PPT on iPhone
Adding footnotes on the iPhone version of PowerPoint uses a similar manual method as on the iPad due to limited built-in features. The most effective approach is to insert superscript numbers or symbols directly after the text that needs referencing, then provide the matching explanation or citation at the bottom of the slide.
🔍 Follow the steps to add a PPT footnote using your iPhone:
Step 1. Launch your presentation on your iPhone, tap the spot where you want the footnote text, and then hit the three-dot icon at the top-right of the keyboard.
Step 2. Scroll through the list and tap More Formatting to access extra text tools.
Step 3. Pick Superscript or Subscript depending on your preferred footnote style.
Step 4. Use the arrow in the upper-right corner to switch back to the keyboard and type your footnote content.
How to Add Footnotes in PowerPoint Online
PowerPoint Online shares many features with the desktop version, but comes with a more simplified interface. Like the desktop app, it does not include an automatic footnote tool, so you need to add footnotes manually. The process of inserting superscript numbers or symbols next to the referenced text and placing the corresponding notes at the bottom of the slide remains the most effective method in both versions.
Though PowerPoint Online offers fewer formatting options and less flexibility than the desktop app, adding a footnote this way still lets you cite sources or provide additional information.
You can follow this tutorial to add a footnote in PowerPoint online:
Step 1. Click inside the text box where you want to add the footnote number or symbol and type it.
Step 2. Highlight the number or symbol, then click the More Font Options button (usually represented by an arrow or three dots) in the toolbar, and select Superscript to raise the character.
Step 3. Scroll to the bottom of the slide, click Insert on the top menu, then choose Text Box to add a new text box.
Step 4. In the new text box, type the same number or symbol, then enter your footnote explanation or citation next to it.
Tips for Adding a Footnote to PowerPoint
To make your footnotes effective and easy to follow, it’s important to apply some key guidelines. Consider these helpful tips:
- Use simple and consistent reference markers such as numbers or symbols.
- Keep footnote text concise to avoid cluttering the slide.
- Place footnotes clearly and unobtrusively, typically at the bottom of the slide.
- Always review slides after adding footnotes to check alignment and visibility.
Keeping these points in mind will help you add footnotes that support your message without distracting from it.
Final Thought
If essential to know how to add footnotes in PowerPoint for users who want to create clear and professional presentations that properly cite sources and provide additional context. Whether you’re working on Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or PowerPoint Online, this post covers multiple methods—from using footers to applying superscript formatting—to help you add footnotes effectively.
We also highlighted important tips and common mistakes to avoid, ensuring your footnotes enhance rather than clutter your slides. With these techniques, you can confidently include footnotes that improve your presentation’s clarity and credibility.
FAQs About Adding a Footnote to PPT Presentations
This FAQ section will help clarify doubts and provide quick solutions related to adding footnotes in your presentations.
1. How to Insert a Citation in PowerPoint
Unlike academic papers, PowerPoint doesn’t have an automatic citation tool, so you’ll need to insert citations manually. This usually involves adding a superscript number or author-date reference next to the relevant text and including the full citation in a footer, text box, or at the bottom of the slide.
Here are detailed steps to do that:
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the citation in your slide text.
- Type the citation marker, such as a superscript number or an author-date format.
- Scroll to the bottom of the slide and insert a text box if needed.
- Enter the full citation details corresponding to the marker to properly credit the source.
2. How to Add References in PowerPoint on Mac
On a Mac, you can cite your sources by inserting superscript numbers or symbols within your slide text and placing the corresponding reference details in a text box or footer.
Follow these steps to do that:
- Click where you want to insert the reference marker in your slide text and type the reference number or symbol.
- Highlight the marker, go to the Home tab, and open the Font dialog by clicking the small arrow in the Font section.
- In the dialog box, check Superscript to raise the marker above the text line, then click OK.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the slide, insert a text box, and type the corresponding reference details to properly credit your source.
3. How do You Add a Footnote in PowerPoint Automatically
PowerPoint does not have a built-in feature to add footnotes automatically like some word processors do. To include footnotes, you need to insert them manually by adding superscript numbers or symbols next to the referenced text and then placing the corresponding footnote text in a footer, text box, or at the bottom of the slide.
While this requires a bit more effort, manual footnotes allow you to customize placement and formatting to fit your presentation’s design. Some third-party add-ins or tools may offer automated footnote options, but within PowerPoint itself, footnotes must be added and managed manually.
