Easy Footnotes

What is Easy Footnotes?

Easy Footnotes is a specialized WordPress plugin that adds footnote functionality to your posts using a simple shortcode. Developed by Jason Yingling, this tool has been available for 12 years. It currently holds 8K+ active installs and a 4.8/5 rating from 33 reviews. A full 91% of those ratings are five-star, with zero one-star reviews. This track record suggests the plugin delivers exactly what it promises.

The plugin works by letting you insert footnotes directly into your content. You use the [efn_note]Footnote content here.[/efn_note] shortcode. Easy Footnotes then numbers each entry automatically and displays the full text at the bottom of your post. Hovering over a footnote label shows a tooltip using the jQuery Qtip2 library. Clicking the label scrolls the reader down to the matching entry in an ordered list. A return icon at each footnote brings the user back to the original spot in the text.

Key Features of Easy Footnotes

• Shortcode-Based Insertion: Add footnotes anywhere in your content with the [efn_note] shortcode. No complex settings or editors required.
• Automatic Numbering: The plugin assigns numbers in the order you place your shortcodes. You never manage manual labels.
• Hover Tooltips via qTip2: Readers see the full footnote text in a popup when they hover over the numbered label. This keeps them in the reading flow.
• Click-to-Scroll Navigation: Clicking a footnote label scrolls the page down to the corresponding entry in the bottom list. A return icon sends the reader back to the original citation point.
• Customizable Label Markup: Developers can modify the footnote label HTML using the efn_footnote_label filter in functions.php.
• qTip Disable Option: You can disable the tooltip scripts entirely by adding a code snippet to your theme’s functions.php file. This helps with performance or compatibility issues.
• Footnote Count Reset: The [efn_reset] shortcode resets the numbering. This fixes a known bug with certain themes or plugins that interfere with the count.
• Lightweight Legacy Support: The plugin requires WordPress 3.0.1 or higher and has been tested up to version 1.1.13. It runs on a minimal footprint.

Who Should Use Easy Footnotes?

Easy Footnotes is built for bloggers, academic writers, and content creators who need to cite sources or add explanatory notes. The skill level required is beginner-friendly. You only need to type a shortcode into the WordPress editor. No coding or configuration is needed for basic use. The plugin’s 12-year history and 8K+ installs show it serves a consistent niche of users who value simplicity over feature bloat.

If you run a personal blog, a tutorial site, or a long-form publication, this plugin fits your workflow. It handles one task — adding footnotes in WordPress posts — and does it well. The 91% five-star rating from 33 reviews confirms that users find it reliable for this specific purpose. However, if you need footnotes in custom post types, bulk editing, or advanced styling options, you might need to look for an easy footnotes alternative.

Installation & Setup

Installation follows the standard WordPress process. Upload the easy-footnotes folder to your /wp-content/plugins/ directory, then activate the plugin from the admin menu. That is all you need to do. Once active, you can start using the [efn_note]Footnote content goes here.[/efn_note] shortcode inside your posts. The plugin does not add any settings pages or configuration wizards, which makes it ideal for beginners.

Support & Community

The support data shows an unusual pattern. Over the last two months, the plugin has 0 open threads and 0 resolved threads, resulting in a 0% resolution rate. This likely means users are not filing support requests, rather than that issues are being ignored. Given the plugin’s 12-year lifespan and the 4.8/5 rating from 33 reviews, the lack of recent support activity may indicate a stable, finished product. The developer, Jason Yingling, released version 1.1.13 on Jul 7, 2025. With no open threads, existing users appear to have few problems. New users should test the plugin on a staging site first, as the absence of active support means you cannot rely on rapid help for unexpected issues.