Changing the Default Numbering Format for Endnotes

Ken wonders if it is possible to change the default numbering format for endnotes from i, ii etc. to Roman numerals. While this can be done manually in the Insert Endnote dialog box, that takes several steps and a change to the default would be much easier and faster.

It is possible to change the default, but the way you do it is to change the template on which new documents are based. In most cases, this means changing the Normal.dot template. Load the template directly into Word, and then follow these steps:

1. Display the References tab of the ribbon and click the small icon at the lower-right corner of the Footnotes group. Word displays the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.
2. Select the Endnotes radio button. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Using the Number Format drop-down list, select the numbering format you want to use.
4. Click OK to close the Footnote and Endnote dialog box.
5. Insert a dummy endnote and then delete it. (This is important so that Word actually as to "use" the settings you made.)
6. Save and close the template file.

The next time you create a document based on that template, the endnote reference numbers will be formatted as Roman numerals (assuming you selected a Roman numeral format in step 3). This won't affect any existing documents, only new ones.