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### 2.10 Footnotes

Org-mode supports the creation of footnotes. In contrast to the `footnote.el` package, Org-mode's footnotes are designed for work on a larger document, not only for one-off documents like emails. The basic syntax is similar to the one used by `footnote.el`, i.e. a footnote is defined in a paragraph that is started by a footnote marker in square brackets in column 0, no indentation allowed. If you need a paragraph break inside a footnote, use the LaTeX idiom ‘`\par`’. The footnote reference is simply the marker in square brackets, inside text. For example:

         The Org homepage[fn:1] now looks a lot better than it used to.
         ...
         [fn:1] The link is: http://orgmode.org

Org-mode extends the number-based syntax to named footnotes and optional inline definition. Using plain numbers as markers (as `footnote.el` does) is supported for backward compatibility, but not encouraged because of possible conflicts with LaTeX snippets (see Embedded LaTeX). Here are the valid references:

`[1]`
  A plain numeric footnote marker. Compatible with `footnote.el`, but not recommended because something like ‘`[1]`’ could easily be part of a code snippet.
`[fn:name]`
  A named footnote reference, where `name` is a unique label word, or, for simplicity of automatic creation, a number.
`[fn:: This is the inline definition of this footnote]`
  A LaTeX-like anonymous footnote where the definition is given directly at the reference point.
`[fn:name: a definition]`
  An inline definition of a footnote, which also specifies a name for the note. Since Org allows multiple references to the same note, you can then use `[fn:name]` to create additional references.

Footnote labels can be created automatically, or you can create names yourself. This is handled by the variable `org-footnote-auto-label` and its corresponding `#+STARTUP` keywords. See the docstring of that variable for details.

The following command handles footnotes:

`C-c C-x f`
  The footnote action command.

  When the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. When it is at a definition, jump to the (first) reference.

  Otherwise, create a new footnote. Depending on the variable `org-footnote-define-inline` 1, the definition will be placed right into the text as part of the reference, or separately into the location determined by the variable `org-footnote-section`.

  When this command is called with a prefix argument, a menu of additional options is offered:

                s   Sort the footnote definitions by reference sequence.  During editing,
                    Org makes no effort to sort footnote definitions into a particular
                    sequence.  If you want them sorted, use this command, which will
                    also move entries according to org-footnote-section.  Automatic
                    sorting after each insertion/deletion can be configured using the
                    variable org-footnote-auto-adjust.
                r   Renumber the simple fn:N footnotes.  Automatic renumbering
                    after each insertion/deletion can be configured using the variable
                    org-footnote-auto-adjust.
                S   Short for first r, then s action.
                n   Normalize the footnotes by collecting all definitions (including
                    inline definitions) into a special section, and then numbering them
                    in sequence.  The references will then also be numbers.  This is
                    meant to be the final step before finishing a document (e.g. sending
                    off an email).  The exporters do this automatically, and so could
                    something like message-send-hook.
                d   Delete the footnote at point, and all definitions of and references
                    to it.

  Depending on the variable `org-footnote-auto-adjust` 2, renumbering and sorting footnotes can be automatic after each insertion or deletion.

`C-c C-c`
  If the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. If it is a the definition, jump back to the reference. When called at a footnote location with a prefix argument, offer the same menu as `C-c C-x f`.
`C-c C-o` or `mouse-1/2`
  Footnote labels are also links to the corresponding definition/reference, and you can use the usual commands to follow these links.

#### Footnotes

[1] The corresponding in-buffer setting is: `#+STARTUP: fninline` or `#+STARTUP: nofninline`

[2] the corresponding in-buffer options are `fnadjust` and `nofnadjust`.