Word 2007, 2008: “Insert Section Break” commands grayed out after Endnotes

If you are having trouble inserting a page or section break at the end of a Word document with Endnotes, you have two choices. You could either insert the new section BEFORE the Endnotes area, or change the Endnotes settings to display Endnotes at the end of each section .

Word considers the end of the document to be the one and only end, so nothing can come after it. It is easy to mistake the white space after the last Endnote for normal document space, but it is an “endnote-only” area.

 Somewhat like headers and footers, Endnotes are their own walled-off section where the usual tools and commands do not apply. If you try to insert a section or page break while your cursor is in the Endnote area the Break commands will be grayed out as shown below.

To change Endnote location settings, click Options in the Footnote and Endnote window.

This results in Endnotes at the end of each section, and allows you to locate the Bibliography at the very end.

 

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