Help:Footnotes


 * See also Footnotes for further details on this method, specific to Wikipedia

This page explains how to create numbered footnotes and references using, , and   syntax, which is the current best-practice method in most circumstances.

For the policy about the need and choice of sources to cite see Verifiability, and Citing sources.

Single citation of a reference or footnote
At the point of citation in the article, enter the footnote or reference like this:



You can include formatting and links in the footnote or reference in the usual way. The reference will become visible in the

The template Reflist is an alternative, mostly used if there are many footnotes.

Multiple citations of the same reference or footnote
To cite the same reference or footnote several times, identify it using the  parameter of the   tag.

At one of the citation points (it makes sense to choose the first), enter the reference like this:



Then at all the other citation points, just enter:



You are free to pick any footnote name, subject to a few rules. the footnote name is internal and will not be displayed anywhere when the page is viewed. Footnote names are case sensitive and may not be a numeric integer. The quotes are optional unless the name or group includes a space, punctuation or other mark. Names and groups should be kept simple and restricted to the standard English alphabet and numerals.

Separate lists of references and footnotes (grouping footnotes)
Sometimes it is convenient to separate explanatory footnotes from references, or to list references of a table or side box separately from the references of the text. This can be accomplished with the "group" parameter:

This part of the text requires clarification, whereas the entire text is cited.

and  tags in a more structured way. These are described at Citation templates. Their use is optional: they do aid with consistent formatting, but on the other hand they can make editing more cumbersome.
 * Notes

References or footnotes missing
When you want to note that a reference is needed, use the template fact within the text, in the same place where the  should be.

If many footnotes and/or references are needed consider tagging the article with a specific template, instead of tagging every reference needed.

What it looks like
The  tags in the main text are converted to auto-numbered superscripts, and fact is expanded to "citation needed", like this:

Clicking on a numbered superscript takes you straight to the text of the corresponding footnote or reference.

The

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Additionally, Reflist has been updated with refs

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes. How razorback-jumping frogs can level six piqued gymnasts.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes. How razorback-jumping frogs can level six piqued gymnasts.

Technical note
A MediaWiki site (such as Wikipedia) must have the extension implemented to have the   and   tags rendered. Extensions like  are installed after installing MediaWiki.