Markdown Footnotes
Footnotes allow you to add notes and citations to your document without cluttering the main text. When rendered, a small superscript link is placed in the text, which links to the actual note at the bottom of the page.
Footnote Syntax
Creating a footnote is a two-step process:
- Add a reference identifier in the text using brackets, a caret, and a unique label (e.g.,
[^1]). - Add the footnote definition elsewhere in the document (usually at the bottom) using the same identifier followed by a colon and the note text.
Using Descriptive Labels
You don't have to use numbers. You can use any unique string as a label, which can be helpful for keeping track of multiple footnotes in a large document.
Tips for Footnotes
- Placement: While you can place the footnote definition anywhere in the Markdown file, it is best practice to place all your definitions at the very end of the document.
- Rendering: When converted to HTML, the parser will typically collect all footnotes and place them in an ordered list at the bottom of the article, often with "back" links to return the reader to the original text.
- Compatibility: Since this is an extension of the original Markdown, always check if your specific platform (e.g., your CMS or static site generator) supports this feature.