> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/formatting/14-footnotes.md). # Footnotes ## Introduction to LaTeX’s main footnote commands According to Wikipedia, footnotes were invented by an English printer called [Richard Jugge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Note_\(typography\)#History) (\*c.\*1514–1577). This time-honoured literary device is supported by LaTeX and in this help article we explain the main footnote-related commands and provide a range of examples to demonstrate their use. ### The \footnote command The `\footnote` command is the core LaTeX command for creating footnotes and takes two forms: * `\footnote{*text for footnote*}`: This inserts an (automatically-generated) superscript number, called the footnote *marker*, into the document text and also creates the corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page, containing the corresponding footnote *marker* and `*text for footnote*`. * `\footnote[*number*]{*text for footnote*}`: This form of the command uses the optional value `*number*` to create the superscript footnote *marker*; it also inserts the corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page, containing the identifying footnote marker (`*number*`) and `*text for footnote*`. #### Example: using the \footnote command Here is an example which demonstrates the two variants of `\footnote`: * `\footnote{Automatically generated footnote markers work fine!}` automatically typesets the numeric (superscript) value (1) for the footnote marker, whereas * `\footnote[42]{...is that the answer to everything?}` uses 42 as the value of the footnote marker and, as you may observe, it does not increment the integer used for auto-creation of markers: the third footnote has a marker value of 2. ```latex I'm writing to demonstrate use of automatically-generated footnote markers\footnote{Automatically generated footnote markers work fine!} and footnotes which use a marker value provided to the command\footnote[42]{...is that the answer to everything?}. Now, I will use another automatically-generated footnote marker\footnote{Now, footnote markers are 1, 42, but then back to 2? That will be confusing if the automatically-generated number also reaches 42!}. ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Demonstrating+the+footnote+command\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0AI%27m+writing+to+demonstrate+use+of+automatically-generated+footnote+markers%5Cfootnote%7BAutomatically+generated+footnote+markers+work+fine%21%7D+and+footnotes+which+use+a+marker+value+provided+to+the+command%5Cfootnote%5B42%5D%7B...is+that+the+answer+to+everything%3F%7D.+%0A%0ANow%2C+I+will+use+another+automatically-generated+footnote+marker%5Cfootnote%7BNow%2C+footnote+markers+are+1%2C+42%2C+but+then+back+to+2%3F+That+will+be+confusing+if+the+automatically-generated+number+also+reaches+42%21%7D.%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Basic footnote example](/files/iDJnG6rdMjs60mVdaxdr) ### Storing the current footnote marker value: LaTeX counters LaTeX uses so-called [*counter variables*](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md) to store the current value of footnote markers. In practice, LaTeX provides and uses two counter variables according to where the footnote is being used: * `footnote`: the counter variable for footnotes within the main document text * `mpfootnote`: the counter variable for footnotes within a `minipage` environment Each time the `\footnote{*text*}` version of that command is used, the corresponding counter variable is incremented by 1. With the `\footnote[*number*]{*text*}` version, the corresponding counter variable is *not* incremented. You can create additional counter variables and use them for producing footnotes, as demonstrated in the [example below](#example-from-latex2e-unofficial-reference-manual). ### The \footnotemark and \footnotetext commands In addition to `\footnote`, LaTeX provides the commands: * `\footnotemark` which typesets the footnote marker, and * `\footnotetext` which typesets the footnote text Both commands take an *optional* argument enclosed in square brackets (`[...]`): * `\footnotemark[*number*]`: typesets a footnote marker at the point the command is used but does not create/typeset a corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page. * `[*number*]` is the *optional* argument, specifying that the value `*number*` should be used for the footnote marker. * If you use this command *without* the optional argument, writing it as `\footnotemark`, this form of the command generates the footnote marker using an internal LaTeX variable called a [counter variable](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md)—which is incremented by 1 when the optional `*number*` value is *not* provided. * `\footnotetext[*number*]{*text for footnote*}`: typesets the footnote text (`*text for footnote*`) corresponding to the marker produced by the previous `\footnotemark`. * `[*number*]` is the *optional* argument which specifies the corresponding footnote marker for the `*text for footnote*`. * If you use this command *without* the optional `*number*` argument, i.e. writing it as `\footnotetext{*text for footnote*}`, this form of the command generates a footnote whose marker corresponds to the most recent `\footnotemark`. #### Example: using \footnotemark and \footnotetext The `\footnotemark` and `\footnotetext` commands are often used together to construct footnotes in tables, or other locations, where the standard `\footnote` command does not work, or is not the best/optimal solution—some applications are demonstrated in this article (see [here](#example-from-latex2e-unofficial-reference-manual) and [here](#footnotes-with-multiple-references)). ```latex I'm writing to test the \verb|\footnotemark| and \verb|\footnotetext| commands. You can insert a footnote marker using the \verb|\footnotemark|\footnotemark{} command and later, when you're ready, typeset the footnote text by writing \verb|\footnotetext{Here's the footnote.}|. \footnotetext{Here's the footnote.} Let's do one more to see the result\footnotemark{} which I'll comment on within the footnote\footnotetext{Specifically, I'd write comments in this one.}. ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=footnotemark+and+footnotetext+demo\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0AI%27m+writing+to+test+the+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotemark%7C+and+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotetext%7C+commands.+%0AYou+can+insert+a+footnote+marker+using+the+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotemark%7C%5Cfootnotemark%7B%7D%0Acommand+and+later%2C+when+you%27re+ready%2C+typeset+the+footnote+text+by+writing+%0A%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotetext%7BHere%27s+the+footnote.%7D%7C.+%5Cfootnotetext%7BHere%27s+the+footnote.%7D%0A%0ALet%27s+do+one+more+to+see+the+result%5Cfootnotemark%7B%7D+which+I%27ll+comment+on+within+the%0Afootnote%5Cfootnotetext%7BSpecifically%2C+I%27d+write+comments+in+this+one.%7D.%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Using footnotes in Overleaf](/files/h28MA8aoujAcAoXWUVbh) ### Other LaTeX footnote commands In addition to the commands we have explored: * `\footnote[*number*]{*text for footnote*}` * `\footnotemark[*number*]` * `\footnotetext[*number*]{*text for footnote*}` LaTeX provides several additional footnote-related commands that we’ll list but not explore in any detail. The following descriptions are taken from the LaTeX2e source code documentation: * `\footnotesize`: Size-changing command for footnotes. * `\footins`: Space between main text and footnotes. The rule separating footnotes from text occurs in this space. This space lies above the strut of height `\footnotesep` which is at the beginning of the first footnote. * `\footnoterule`: Macro to draw the rule separating footnotes from text. It is executed right after a `\vspace` of `\skip\footins`. It should take zero vertical space—i.e., it should to a negative skip to compensate for any positive space it occupies. * `\footnotesep`: The height of a strut placed at the beginning of every footnote. ## Examples and applications of footnotes ### Footnotes with multiple references The following example demonstrates one way to make multiple references to the same footnote. By using `\footnotemark[\value{footnote}]` you can insert a superscript corresponding to the *current* value of the `footnote` [counter](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md) but without incrementing the `footnote` counter value (for more information on counters, see [this Overleaf help article](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md)). ```latex I'm writing to test\footnote{Footnotes work fine!} several footnote features. You can insert the footnote marker\footnotemark{} using the \verb|\footnotemark| command and later use the \verb|\footnotetext| command to typeset the footnote text by writing \verb|\footnotetext{Text of second footnote.}| \footnotetext{Text of second footnote.}. I can use the same footnote\footnotemark{} more than once\footnotemark[\value{footnote}]. \footnotetext{A footnote with two references.} ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Two+references+to+footnotes\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0AI%27m+writing+to+test%5Cfootnote%7BFootnotes+work+fine%21%7D+several+footnote+features.+%0AYou+can+insert+the+footnote+marker%5Cfootnotemark%7B%7D+using+the+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotemark%7C%0Acommand+and+later+use+the+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotetext%7C+command+to+typeset+the+footnote%0Atext+by+writing+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotetext%7BText+of+second+footnote.%7D%7C%0A%5Cfootnotetext%7BText+of+second+footnote.%7D.%0A%0AI+can+use+the+same+footnote%5Cfootnotemark%7B%7D+more+than+%0Aonce%5Cfootnotemark%5B%5Cvalue%7Bfootnote%7D%5D.%0A%0A%5Cfootnotetext%7BA+footnote+with+two+references.%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Using multiple footnote references](/files/ndAdKhGpIpr8qRTE2Vk3) ### Changing the numbering style The current value of the footnote number is stored in a LaTeX variable called the `footnote` [*counter*](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md) and can be typeset by the command `\thefootnote`. You can change the typeset format of footnote markers by modifying the `\thefootnote` command; for example, `\renewcommand{\thefootnote}{\roman{footnote}}` will typeset markers in lowercase Roman numerals. You can use `\renewcommand{\thefootnote}{...}` in the preamble to change the numbering style of footnotes in the main document text. Other possible marker styles are: * `\arabic{*counter variable*}`: typeset `*counter variable*` in Arabic numerals. * `\Roman{*counter variable*}`: typeset `*counter variable*` in uppercase Roman numerals. * `\alph{*counter variable*}`: typeset `*counter variable*` in lowercase Alphabetic characters. * `\Alph{*counter variable*}`: typeset `*counter variable*` in uppercase Alphabetic characters. * `\fnsymbol{*counter variable*}`: typeset `*counter variable*` using a [set of 9 special symbols](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md#accessing-and-printing-counter-values). For background information on creating, using and modifying counters see [this Overleaf article on counters](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md#accessing-and-printing-counter-values). Here is an example using `\renewcommand{\thefootnote}{\roman{footnote}}`: ```latex I'm writing to test\footnote{Footnotes work fine!} several footnote features. You can insert the footnote marker\footnotemark{} using the \verb|\footnotemark| command and later use the \verb|\footnotetext| command to typeset the footnote text by writing \verb|\footnotetext{Text of second footnote.}| \footnotetext{Text of second footnote.}. I can use the same footnote\footnotemark{} more than once\footnotemark[\value{footnote}]. \footnotetext{A footnote with two references.} \renewcommand{\thefootnote}{\roman{footnote}} Now a footnote marker using lowercase Roman numerals\footnote{This footnote marker uses lowercase Roman numerals.}. ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Changing+footnote+numbering+style\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0AI%27m+writing+to+test%5Cfootnote%7BFootnotes+work+fine%21%7D+several+footnote+features.+%0AYou+can+insert+the+footnote+marker%5Cfootnotemark%7B%7D+using+the+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotemark%7C%0Acommand+and+later+use+the+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotetext%7C+command+to+typeset+the+footnote%0Atext+by+writing+%5Cverb%7C%5Cfootnotetext%7BText+of+second+footnote.%7D%7C%0A%5Cfootnotetext%7BText+of+second+footnote.%7D.%0A%0AI+can+use+the+same+footnote%5Cfootnotemark%7B%7D+more+than+%0Aonce%5Cfootnotemark%5B%5Cvalue%7Bfootnote%7D%5D.%0A%0A%5Cfootnotetext%7BA+footnote+with+two+references.%7D%0A%0A%5Crenewcommand%7B%5Cthefootnote%7D%7B%5Croman%7Bfootnote%7D%7D%0ANow+a+footnote+marker+using+lowercase+Roman+numerals%5Cfootnote%7BThis+footnote+marker+uses+lowercase+Roman+numerals.%7D.%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Changing footnote numbering style](/files/R9ScprhWvHLji0vZFznH) ### Footnotes in minipage environments Footnotes within a `minipage` environment behave differently because the commands `\footnote` and `\footnotetext` are temporarily redefined so that footnotes are: * placed at the bottom of the `minipage`, not the main document page * labled/numbered using a scheme different to in-text footnotes—in a `minipage` the footnotes use a counter called `mpfootnote` Here's an example of footnotes in a `minipage`: ```latex This is the start of a paragraph of text just before we switch to a \texttt{minipage} environment. This is an in-page footnote\footnote{Footnote before a minipage}. \vspace{10pt} \begin{minipage}{0.7\textwidth} This is text in a \texttt{minipage} environment. Here is the first \texttt{minipage} footnote\footnote{First minipage footnote.}. And another \texttt{minipage} footnote\footnote{Second minipage footnote.}. \end{minipage} \vspace{10pt} This is the start of a standard paragraph of text just after we finished a \texttt{minipage} environment. This is an in-page footnote\footnote{Footnote after a minipage}. ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Footnotes+in+a+minipage\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0AThis+is+the+start+of+a+paragraph+of+text+just+before+we+switch+to+a+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+environment.+This+is+an+in-page+footnote%5Cfootnote%7BFootnote+before+a+minipage%7D.%0A%0A%5Cvspace%7B10pt%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bminipage%7D%7B0.7%5Ctextwidth%7D%0AThis+is+text+in+a+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+environment.+Here+is+the+first+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+footnote%5Cfootnote%7BFirst+minipage+footnote.%7D.+And+another+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+footnote%5Cfootnote%7BSecond+minipage+footnote.%7D.%0A%5Cend%7Bminipage%7D%0A%5Cvspace%7B10pt%7D%0A%0AThis+is+the+start+of+a+standard+paragraph+of+text+just+after+we+finished+a+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+environment.+This+is+an+in-page+footnote%5Cfootnote%7BFootnote+after+a+minipage%7D.%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Using footnotes in a minipage](/files/FMEDWvuSn8JfYc9asHIt) ### Changing minipage footnote markers As shown by the example above, within a `minipage` footnote markers are lowercase letters; however, the `\renewcommand` can be used to redefine how the `mpfootnote` counter value is typeset. For example, to typeset `minipage` footnote markers as Arabic digits: ```latex \renewcommand{\thempfootnote}{\arabic{mpfootnote}} ``` as show in the following example: ```latex \renewcommand{\thempfootnote}{\arabic{mpfootnote}} \begin{minipage}{0.7\textwidth} This is text in a \texttt{minipage} environment. Here is the first \texttt{minipage} footnote\footnote{First minipage footnote.}. And another \texttt{minipage} footnote\footnote{Second minipage footnote.}. \end{minipage} ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Changing+minipage+footnote+marker\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Crenewcommand%7B%5Cthempfootnote%7D%7B%5Carabic%7Bmpfootnote%7D%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bminipage%7D%7B0.7%5Ctextwidth%7D%0AThis+is+text+in+a+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+environment.+Here+is+the+first+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+footnote%5Cfootnote%7BFirst+minipage+footnote.%7D.+And+another+%5Ctexttt%7Bminipage%7D+footnote%5Cfootnote%7BSecond+minipage+footnote.%7D.%0A%5Cend%7Bminipage%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Changing minipage footnote marker](/files/P4ldg2fHvQqCHXCd9L5a) ## Footnotes in tables The following sections examine a number of topics related to using footnotes in tables. ### Should you use footnotes in tables? The [Frequently Asked Question List for TeX](https://texfaq.org/) has an entry for [footnotes in tables](https://texfaq.org/FAQ-footintab) which comments that using footnotes in tables is not considered to be typographic best practice: ideally, *table notes* should be used instead of *table footnotes*. The use of table notes or table footnotes may be defined by document class/style files you are required to use, or the choice may be yours: either way, LaTeX provides a range of solutions you can use. ### Example: \footnote does not work in the tabular environment The `\footnote` command does not work inside a tabular environment, as the following example demonstrates. Note this example uses the `hologo` LaTeX package to typeset the names of various TeX engines. ```latex \begin{table} \centering \begin{tabular}{lcc} \midrule \TeX{} engine & Native UTF-8 support & Unicode math support\\ \midrule \hologo{pdfTeX} & No\footnote{Some UTF-8 support via \LaTeX{} kernel commands.} & No\\ \Hologo{XeTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \Hologo{LuaTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \midrule \end{tabular} \caption[\TeX{} engine features]{% \TeX{} engine feature comparison\footnote{Draft version. Additional feature comparisons will be added.}.} \end{table} ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Example+of+table+footnotes+not+working\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bhologo%7D+%25+for+TeX+engine+logos%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bbooktabs%7D+%25+for+nice+tables%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Btable%7D%0A++%5Ccentering%0A++++%5Cbegin%7Btabular%7D%7Blcc%7D%0A+++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+%26+Native+UTF-8+support+%26+Unicode+math+support%5C%5C%0A+++++%5Cmidrule%0A+++++++%5Chologo%7BpdfTeX%7D+%26+No%5Cfootnote%7BSome+UTF-8+support+via+%5CLaTeX%7B%7D+kernel+commands.%7D+%26+No%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BXeTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BLuaTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5Cend%7Btabular%7D%0A++++%5Ccaption%5B%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+features%5D%7B%25%0A++++++%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+feature+comparison%5Cfootnote%7BDraft+version.+Additional+feature+comparisons+will+be+added.%7D.%7D%0A%5Cend%7Btable%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output, showing the presence of footnote marks in the table cell and caption, but there is no corresponding footnote text: ![Missing footnote text in a tabular environment](/files/aYIOks4uQ9JxyywSw25I) A partial solution is to place the `tabular` inside a `minipage` environment: ```latex \begin{minipage}{\textwidth} \centering \begin{tabular}{lcc} \midrule \TeX{} engine & Native UTF-8 support & Unicode math support\\ \midrule \hologo{pdfTeX} & No\footnote{Some UTF-8 support via \LaTeX{} kernel commands.} & No\\ \Hologo{XeTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \Hologo{LuaTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \midrule \end{tabular} \end{minipage} ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Example+of+tabular+in+a+minipage\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bhologo%7D+%25+for+TeX+engine+logos%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bbooktabs%7D+%25+for+nice+tables%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bminipage%7D%7B%5Ctextwidth%7D%0A++%5Ccentering%0A++++%5Cbegin%7Btabular%7D%7Blcc%7D%0A+++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+%26+Native+UTF-8+support+%26+Unicode+math+support%5C%5C%0A+++++%5Cmidrule%0A+++++++%5Chologo%7BpdfTeX%7D+%26+No%5Cfootnote%7BSome+UTF-8+support+via+%5CLaTeX%7B%7D+kernel+commands.%7D+%26+No%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BXeTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BLuaTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5Cend%7Btabular%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bminipage%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![LaTeX tabular in a minipage to fix footnotes](/files/4TVFSYGV7ryUFB0wJLAV) Note that you can also write `\renewcommand{\thempfootnote}{\arabic{mpfootnote}}` to have the `minipage` table footnote markers typeset as Arabic digits rather than lowercase letters. ### Example from LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual The [LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual](https://latexref.xyz/index.html) has an interesting example in the section [Footnotes in a table](https://latexref.xyz/Footnotes-in-a-table.html). Normally, table footnotes within a `minipage` are placed at the bottom of the `minipage`, as the examples above have shown. The following example, from the [LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual](https://latexref.xyz/Footnotes-in-a-table.html) uses the `\footnotemark` and `\footnotetext` commands, together with a new counter (`mpFootnoteValueSaver`) to ensure the table footnotes appear at the bottom of the document page, to be included as part of the document’s standard footnotes. When the table is typeset, the LaTeX code `\setcounter{mpFootnoteValueSaver}{\value{footnote}}` sets the value of `mpFootnoteValueSaver` to be the current `footnote` counter value; this ensures footnotes produced within the table use marker values that are synchronized with the main document footnote sequence (numbering). After the table is typeset, note how the `mpFootnoteValueSaver` is incremented by 1 through the code `\stepcounter{mpFootnoteValueSaver}`. ```latex \newcounter{mpFootnoteValueSaver} \begin{center} \begin{minipage}{\textwidth} \setcounter{mpFootnoteValueSaver}{\value{footnote}} \centering \begin{tabular}{l|l} \textsc{Woman} &\textsc{Relationship} \\ \hline Mona &Attached\footnotemark \\ Diana Villiers &Eventual wife \\ Christine Hatherleigh Wood &Fiance\footnotemark \end{tabular} \end{minipage}% percent sign keeps footnote text close to minipage \stepcounter{mpFootnoteValueSaver}% \footnotetext[\value{mpFootnoteValueSaver}]{% Little is known other than her death.}% \stepcounter{mpFootnoteValueSaver}% \footnotetext[\value{mpFootnoteValueSaver}]{% Relationship is unresolved in XXI.} \end{center} ``` [Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Example+of+custom+table+footnotes\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bhologo%7D+%25+for+TeX+engine+logos%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bbooktabs%7D+%25+for+nice+tables%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cnewcounter%7BmpFootnoteValueSaver%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bcenter%7D%0A++%5Cbegin%7Bminipage%7D%7B%5Ctextwidth%7D%0A++++%5Csetcounter%7BmpFootnoteValueSaver%7D%7B%5Cvalue%7Bfootnote%7D%7D+%5Ccentering%0A+++++%5Cbegin%7Btabular%7D%7Bl%7Cl%7D%0A+++++++%5Ctextsc%7BWoman%7D+++++++++++++%26%5Ctextsc%7BRelationship%7D+%5C%5C+%5Chline+%0A+++++++Mona+++++++++++++++++++++++%26Attached%5Cfootnotemark++%5C%5C+%0A+++++++Diana+Villiers+++++++++++++%26Eventual+wife++%5C%5C++%0A+++++++Christine+Hatherleigh+Wood+%26Fiance%5Cfootnotemark+%0A+++++%5Cend%7Btabular%7D%0A++%5Cend%7Bminipage%7D%25++percent+sign+keeps+footnote+text+close+to+minipage%0A++%5Cstepcounter%7BmpFootnoteValueSaver%7D%25%0A++++%5Cfootnotetext%5B%5Cvalue%7BmpFootnoteValueSaver%7D%5D%7B%25%0A++++++Little+is+known+other+than+her+death.%7D%25%0A++%5Cstepcounter%7BmpFootnoteValueSaver%7D%25%0A++++%5Cfootnotetext%5B%5Cvalue%7BmpFootnoteValueSaver%7D%5D%7B%25%0A++++++Relationship+is+unresolved+in+XXI.%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bcenter%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Creatinf table footnotes in LaTeX](/files/DDsuQj2Feb7ZbBvKyJXY) ### Example: table footnotes via the tablefootnote package One option is the [`tablefootnote` package](https://ctan.org/pkg/tablefootnote?lang=en) which is [mentioned on tex.stackexchange](https://tex.stackexchange.com/a/35669) and referenced in the Frequently Asked Question List for TeX [entry for footnotes in tables](https://texfaq.org/FAQ-footintab). The following example demonstrates the `tablefootnote` package: ```latex \documentclass{article} % Using the geometry package with a small % page size to create the article graphic \usepackage[paperheight=6in, paperwidth=5in, top=10mm, bottom=20mm, left=10mm, right=10mm]{geometry} \usepackage{hologo} % for TeX engine logos \usepackage{booktabs} % for nice tables \usepackage{tablefootnote} % for table footnotes \begin{document} \begin{table} \centering \begin{tabular}{lcc} \midrule \TeX{} engine & Native UTF-8 support & Unicode math support\\ \midrule \hologo{pdfTeX} & No\tablefootnote{Some UTF-8 support via \LaTeX{} kernel commands.} & No\\ \Hologo{XeTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \Hologo{LuaTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \midrule \end{tabular} \caption[\TeX{} engine features]{% \TeX{} engine feature comparison\tablefootnote{Draft version. Additional feature comparisons will be added.}.} \end{table} \end{document} ``` [Open this `\tablefootnote` package example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Example+of+tablefootnote+package\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bhologo%7D+%25+for+TeX+engine+logos%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bbooktabs%7D+%25+for+nice+tables%0A%5Cusepackage%7Btablefootnote%7D+%25+for+table+footnotes%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Btable%7D%0A++%5Ccentering%0A++++%5Cbegin%7Btabular%7D%7Blcc%7D%0A+++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+%26+Native+UTF-8+support+%26+Unicode+math+support%5C%5C%0A+++++%5Cmidrule%0A+++++++%5Chologo%7BpdfTeX%7D+%26+No%5Ctablefootnote%7BSome+UTF-8+support+via+%5CLaTeX%7B%7D+kernel+commands.%7D+%26+No%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BXeTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BLuaTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5Cend%7Btabular%7D%0A++++%5Ccaption%5B%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+features%5D%7B%25%0A++++++%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+feature+comparison%5Ctablefootnote%7BDraft+version.+Additional+feature+comparisons+will+be+added.%7D.%7D%0A%5Cend%7Btable%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output: ![Example of tablefootnote package](/files/nsuRVP0WwccaHdjCzmsR) ## Table notes: an alternative to footnotes The [`threeparttable` package](https://ctan.org/pkg/threeparttable) provides a mechanism to create table *notes*—an alternative to using footnotes in tables. The [`threeparttabl**ex**` package](https://ctan.org/pkg/threeparttablex) implements a table notes facility for use with the [longtable package](https://ctan.org/pkg/longtable). ### Example: creating table notes using the threeparttable package The [threeparttable package documentation](http://mirrors.ctan.org/macros/latex/contrib/threeparttable/threeparttable.pdf) is very brief, so we won't repeat it here but instead we'll provide an example of its use: ```latex \begin{table} \begin{threeparttable}[b] \caption[\TeX{} engine features]{\TeX{} engine feature comparison\tnote{1}} \centering \begin{tabular}{lcc} \midrule \TeX{} engine & Native UTF-8 support & Unicode math support\\ \midrule \hologo{pdfTeX} & No\tnote{2}& No\\ \Hologo{XeTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \Hologo{LuaTeX} & Yes & Yes\\ \midrule \end{tabular} \begin{tablenotes} \item [1] This is an early draft. \item [2] Some UTF-8 support via \LaTeX{} kernel commands. \end{tablenotes} \end{threeparttable} \end{table} ``` [Open this `threeparttable` example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=threeparttable+package+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%25+Using+the+geometry+package+with+a+small%0A%25+page+size+to+create+the+article+graphic%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpaperheight%3D6in%2C%0A+++paperwidth%3D5in%2C%0A+++top%3D10mm%2C%0A+++bottom%3D20mm%2C%0A+++left%3D10mm%2C%0A+++right%3D10mm%5D%7Bgeometry%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bhologo%7D+%25+for+TeX+engine+logos%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bbooktabs%7D+%25+for+nice+tables%0A%5Cusepackage%7Bthreeparttable%7D+%25+to+use+table+notes%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Btable%7D%0A++%5Cbegin%7Bthreeparttable%7D%5Bb%5D%0A+++%5Ccaption%5B%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+features%5D%7B%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+feature+comparison%5Ctnote%7B1%7D%7D%0A+++%5Ccentering%0A+++%5Cbegin%7Btabular%7D%7Blcc%7D%0A+++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5CTeX%7B%7D+engine+%26+Native+UTF-8+support+%26+Unicode+math+support%5C%5C%0A+++++%5Cmidrule%0A+++++++%5Chologo%7BpdfTeX%7D+%26+No%5Ctnote%7B2%7D%26+No%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BXeTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5CHologo%7BLuaTeX%7D+%26+Yes+%26+Yes%5C%5C%0A+++++++%5Cmidrule+%0A+++++%5Cend%7Btabular%7D%0A+++++%5Cbegin%7Btablenotes%7D%0A+++++++%5Citem+%5B1%5D+This+is+an+early+draft.%0A+++++++%5Citem+%5B2%5D+Some+UTF-8+support+via+%5CLaTeX%7B%7D+kernel+commands.%0A+++++%5Cend%7Btablenotes%7D%0A++%5Cend%7Bthreeparttable%7D%0A%5Cend%7Btable%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D) This example produces the following output ![Overleaf example of table notes in LaTeX](/files/fuBjtWcT6VgQv64sroAv) ### Discussions on tex.stackexchange Table footnotes are also discussed on tex.stackexchange and various solutions outlined in threads, such as the following, which readers may be interested to explore: * [footnotes for tables in LaTeX](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2888817/footnotes-for-tables-in-latex), and * [footnote in table](https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/35615/footnote-in-table/35669). ## Further reading For more information see: * [Margin notes](/latex/formatting/15-margin-notes.md) * [Page size and margins](/latex/formatting/07-page-size-and-margins.md) * [Headers and footers](/latex/formatting/02-headers-and-footers.md) * [Hyperlinks](/latex/document-structure/09-hyperlinks.md) * [Counters](/latex/formatting/10-counters.md) * [Lists](/latex/latex-basics/04-lists.md) * [Font sizes, families, and styles](/latex/fonts/01-font-sizes-families-and-styles.md) * [Bold, italics and underlining](/latex/latex-basics/03-bold-italics-and-underlining.md) * [Font typefaces](/latex/fonts/02-font-typefaces.md) * [Line breaks and blank spaces](/latex/formatting/05-line-breaks-and-blank-spaces.md) * [Management in a large project](/latex/document-structure/07-management-in-a-large-project.md) * [Multi-file LaTeX projects](/latex/document-structure/08-multi-file-latex-projects.md) * [The not so short introduction to LaTeX2ε](http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/info/lshort/) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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