The footnote shortcut key in Word is Ctrl + Alt + F. It places a small number at the cursor and jumps to the bottom of the page, where you type the note. Endnotes, which collect at the end of the document, use Ctrl + Alt + D.
Paragraph layout has its own set of keys: indents, hanging indents for references, line spacing, line breaks, word count and track changes. All of them are listed below for Word on Windows.
Quick facts
Footnote
Ctrl + Alt + FEndnote
Ctrl + Alt + DIndent
Ctrl + M, undo with Ctrl + Shift + MHanging indent
Ctrl + TWord count
Ctrl + Shift + GTrack changes
Ctrl + Shift + E
Footnote shortcut key and notes
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Insert footnote | Ctrl + Alt + F |
| Insert endnote | Ctrl + Alt + D |
| Return to the text from a note | Double click the note number |
| Delete a footnote | Select its number in the text, then Delete |
Word renumbers footnotes automatically when you add or delete one, so never type note numbers by hand.
Indent shortcut keys
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Increase indent | Ctrl + M |
| Decrease indent | Ctrl + Shift + M |
| Hanging indent | Ctrl + T |
| Remove hanging indent | Ctrl + Shift + T |
| First line indent | Tab at the start of a paragraph (with AutoCorrect on) |
A hanging indent keeps the first line at the margin and pushes the rest in. It is the standard format for bibliography and reference lists in projects.
Line and paragraph spacing keys
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Single line spacing | Ctrl + 1 |
| Double line spacing | Ctrl + 2 |
| 1.5 line spacing | Ctrl + 5 |
| Add or remove space before a paragraph | Ctrl + 0 |
| Line break, same paragraph | Shift + Enter |
| Paragraph dialog | Alt, then H, then P, then G |
| Show paragraph marks | Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
Word count and track changes
Ctrl + Shift + G opens the full word count with characters, paragraphs and lines; the status bar also shows a running count. Ctrl + Shift + E turns Track Changes on and off, recording every edit so a reviewer can accept or reject it. Move between changes on the Review tab. These are essential when a teacher or manager checks your drafts.
Footnote or citation tool
For academic work with many sources, Word's References tab also has Insert Citation and Bibliography, which build the reference list automatically in styles such as APA or MLA. Footnotes suit short explanations and page references; the citation tool suits formal references that must follow a set style. Many Indian universities specify one in their thesis guidelines, so check before you start. Mixing both in one document is allowed, but keep each used consistently from the first chapter to the last.
When these keys do not work
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + F does nothing | Another program has taken the key; use References, Insert Footnote |
| Ctrl + M indents only one line | Select the whole paragraph first |
| Ctrl + Shift + E does nothing | Track Changes may be locked by the document owner |
| Spacing keys change font | The keys belong to Word; make sure you are not in Excel |