PowerPoint doesn't have a built-in footnote feature like Word does, but you can add reference notes in two ways: as visible text on your slides or as speaker notes that only you see during the presentation

If you need to cite a source or add a small clarification that your audience should read, you'll add text directly to the slide itself — usually in a smaller font at the bottom. If you need notes for yourself while presenting, use the Notes section below each slide, which appears on your screen but not on the projected slide. The method you choose depends on whether your audience needs to see the note or whether it's just for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Visible footnotes on slides are just small text boxes placed at the bottom — PowerPoint has no automatic footnote system like Word.
  • Speaker notes appear only on your screen during presentation mode and are the best place to store source citations and reminders for yourself.
  • To add speaker notes, click the Notes section at the bottom of the slide editor and type directly into it.
  • Text boxes for visible footnotes should use a smaller font size (8 to 10 points) and be positioned consistently across slides for a professional look.

Adding visible footnotes as text on your slide

To add a footnote that your audience will see, insert a text box at the bottom of the slide. Click the Insert tab at the top, then select Text Box. Click and drag to create a small box at the bottom of your slide where you want the footnote to appear.

Type your footnote text into the box. Format it to stand out as a note by reducing the font size to 8 or 10 points — smaller than your main slide text but still readable. You can also change the font color to gray or a lighter shade to signal that it's supplementary information. If you're adding footnotes to multiple slides, keep the position and formatting consistent so your presentation looks polished.

This approach works well for citations, sources, or brief disclaimers that support your slide content. The downside is that it takes up space on your slide and can clutter a busy design. If you have many notes to add, speaker notes (described below) are usually a better choice.

Using speaker notes for your own reference

Speaker notes are hidden from your audience and appear only on your screen while you present. They're the ideal place to store source information, talking points, or reminders you need during the presentation. To access the Notes section, look at the bottom of the slide editor in PowerPoint. You'll see a panel labeled Notes — click into it and start typing.

Type anything you need: the source of a statistic, a story you want to tell, a reminder to pause and ask a question, or a definition of a technical term. During your presentation, when you use Presenter View (which shows your notes on your screen while the audience sees only the slide), you can read these notes without your audience knowing they're there. This keeps your slides clean and uncluttered while giving you all the information you need to present confidently.

To make sure Presenter View is enabled, go to the Slide Show tab and check the box next to Use Presenter View. When you start your presentation, your screen will show the current slide, your notes, a preview of the next slide, and a timer — all while your audience sees only the slide itself.

Adding numbered or lettered footnote markers

If you want your footnotes to look more formal with numbered references, you can add superscript numbers to your slide text and then create a corresponding note. Highlight the word or phrase you want to reference, then use the superscript button in the formatting toolbar (or press Ctrl+Shift+Plus on Windows, Cmd+Shift+Plus on Mac) to make the number smaller and raised.

Then add a text box at the bottom of the slide with the matching number followed by your note. For example, if you have a superscript "1" next to a statistic, add a text box below that says "1. Source: [citation]." This method gives your slides a more academic or professional appearance and is especially useful when you have multiple references on one slide.

Positioning footnotes so they don't interfere with your design

The placement of your footnote matters. If you put it directly at the very bottom of the slide, it might get cut off on some projectors or screens. Instead, leave a small margin — position your footnote text about half an inch from the bottom edge. This ensures it will be visible no matter how the slide is displayed.

If your slide has a footer already (like a slide number or date), place your footnote above it so the two don't overlap. You can check whether your presentation has a footer by going to Insert > Header and Footer. If you're adding footnotes to multiple slides, decide on one consistent location — either bottom left, bottom center, or bottom right — and stick with it throughout your presentation. Consistency makes your slides look intentional and professional.

Copying footnotes across multiple slides

If you need the same footnote on several slides (like a source attribution that applies to multiple data points), create the text box once, then copy and paste it. Click the text box to select it, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy, then navigate to the next slide and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V) to paste. The text box will appear in the same position on the new slide, saving you time and ensuring consistency.

You can also use the Format Painter to copy the formatting of one footnote to another. Select the formatted text box, click Format Painter in the toolbar, then click the text box you want to match. This is especially helpful if you've spent time getting the font size, color, and style just right and want to replicate it quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make footnotes automatically number themselves in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint doesn't have automatic footnote numbering like Word does. You'll need to number them manually by typing the numbers yourself or using superscript numbers and matching them to notes at the bottom. If you have many footnotes, consider using speaker notes instead, which don't require numbering.

Will my speaker notes show up when I share my presentation with someone else?

Speaker notes are included in the PowerPoint file, so if you send the file to someone, they can see your notes if they open the file in edit mode. If you want to share only the slides without your notes visible, export the presentation as a PDF or use the "Print to PDF" option with notes hidden.

What's the best font size for a footnote on a slide?

Use 8 to 10 points for footnotes — small enough to signal it's supplementary information, but large enough to read from the back of a room. Test it by viewing your slide in presentation mode from a distance to make sure it's legible.

Can I add hyperlinks in speaker notes?

Yes. You can paste a URL directly into speaker notes, and it will appear as a clickable link. However, you won't be able to click it during presentation mode — speaker notes are view-only while presenting. If you need to reference a link during your talk, write it out or add it as visible text on the slide instead.

How do I hide footnotes from the audience if I accidentally project them?

If you're using visible text boxes as footnotes, they'll show up when you project. To hide them, select the text box and press Delete before you present. If you're using speaker notes, they're already hidden from the audience as long as you're using Presenter View. Always test your presentation setup before the actual event to make sure only what you want is visible.