My MS Word 365 is very slow in adding footnotes in a document of about 350 pages.


Once I click on Add Footnote it takes several seconds before I can start typing. In fact any operation on a footnote (such as formatting) is very slow.

I run Windows 10.

Any suggestions?

I am unsure whether the following suggestions will improve the situation significantly but they should.
Managing Large Word Files and Combining Documents Into One File In Microsoft Word
If you are not using styles for your formatting, that significantly slows down a longer document. See The Importance of Styles in Microsoft Word.

How many footnotes do you have?
What does "several seconds" mean? Can you quantify this?

The document is 374 pages and has some 2800 footnotes.
It is a doctoral thesis.

It takes between 4 and 6 seconds from clicking "Insert Footnote" to the point where footnote text can be entered.

I forgot to mention that I am indeed using styles.

With 2800 footnotes, I'm afraid I am not surprised. Footnotes can change pagination and Word needs to keep track of the numbering.


Have you tried working in draft mode? I have not tried with 2800 footnotes, but it may help.

Keep backups. Do not work within Word with flash drives.

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to edit your work in the Online Word program or any of the Mobile apps!

There should be an option to turn off background repagination. That may help as well.
Turning Off Background Repagination (Microsoft Word)

Dear Charles,
Thank you for all the advice. I shall try your suggestions.

Regards,
Willem