If the footnote references are numeric, you could use code like:
Code:
Sub Demo()
Dim StrRef As String
With Selection
If .Footnotes.Count > 0 Then
StrRef = .Footnotes(1).Index
MsgBox StrRef
End If
End With
End Sub
If they're anything else (e.g. roman numerals), you'll need code like:
Code:
Sub Demo()
Dim Rng As Range, StrRef As String, i As Long
With Selection
If .Footnotes.Count > 0 Then
i = .Footnotes(1).Index
Set Rng = .Footnotes(1).Reference
With Rng
'To get the actual reference text, we need to cross-reference it!
.Collapse wdCollapseStart
.InsertCrossReference wdRefTypeFootnote, wdFootnoteNumber, i, False, False
.End = .End + 1
StrRef = .Fields(1).Result
.Fields(1).Delete
End With
MsgBox StrRef
End If
End With
Set Rng = Nothing
End Sub
Do note what I said in my previous post, though, about the implications on the rest of your document of doing what you're suggesting. I think you'll find the result unacceptable.