Are There Footnotes in Vancouver Referencing?
At a glance
- 1. Separate citations from notes
Vancouver citations identify sources with numbers in the text; they are not normally placed in source-citing footnotes.
- 2. Number sources in order
Give each source a number when it first appears, and reuse that number whenever you cite the same source again.
- 3. Build the reference list
List sources at the end in numerical order, matching each entry to its in-text citation.
- 4. Check local rules
Use explanatory or table footnotes only if the journal, institution, or assignment instructions permit them.
Vancouver referencing does not normally put source citations in footnotes. Instead, it assigns a number to each source when that source is first cited in the text, then lists the references in numerical order at the end of the document.
That does not mean a Vancouver-formatted paper can never contain a footnote. Some journals and assignments allow footnotes for brief explanations or for notes attached to tables. Those are separate from the numbered citations used to document sources.
What a Vancouver citation looks like
A Vancouver citation is a number placed at the relevant point in the text. Depending on the journal’s version of the style, the number may appear as a superscript or in parentheses or square brackets. For example, the same sentence might be cited as:
- The treatment was evaluated in a randomized trial.¹
- The treatment was evaluated in a randomized trial (1).
- The treatment was evaluated in a randomized trial [1].
The citation number points to an entry in the reference list. The exact placement relative to punctuation and the choice of brackets can vary, so follow the journal’s instructions rather than mixing formats.
How numbering works
Assign numbers in the order that sources first appear. The first distinct source is 1, the next new source is 2, and so on. If you cite a source again later, use its original number; do not give it a new number.
For example, suppose a paragraph first cites a clinical guideline and then a research article. The guideline is reference 1 and the article is reference 2. If the next paragraph cites the guideline again, it is still reference 1. The reference list is then ordered as 1, 2, and so forth—not alphabetically by author.
A simple schematic example is:
The guideline recommends the intervention (1). A later trial reported a similar outcome (2). The guideline also discusses follow-up care (1).
The corresponding list would start with the full reference for the guideline as item 1 and the full reference for the trial as item 2. Use the correct reference format for each source type; journal articles, books, websites, and other materials have different details and punctuation.
Are explanatory footnotes allowed?
Often, yes—but this depends on the publication or assignment. A footnote might define an abbreviation, give a short clarification, or provide information that would interrupt the main text. It is not a substitute for the numbered citation and reference list when you are documenting a source.
Tables commonly have their own notes below them. These can explain abbreviations, symbols, or statistical tests used in the table. A journal may specify whether table notes use letters, symbols, or another numbering scheme. Follow that journal’s directions, especially if its instructions distinguish table notes from the numbered references.
The key distinction is purpose:
| Element | What it does | Typical Vancouver treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Source citation | Identifies where information came from | Number in the text, linked to the numbered reference list |
| Explanatory note | Adds a brief comment or clarification | May be a footnote if the journal or assignment allows it |
| Table note | Explains table content, abbreviations, or symbols | Placed with the table; format depends on the journal |
Why you may see different versions
“Vancouver” is commonly used as a name for a numbered citation system, but journals can set their own detailed requirements. They may differ in whether citation numbers are superscript or bracketed, where the number sits beside punctuation, how many authors are listed in a reference, and how table notes are marked.
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommends numbered references in the order they are first mentioned and points authors to National Library of Medicine guidance for reference formatting. A journal may adopt that approach with house-style adjustments. For a course assignment, the instructor’s specification takes priority.
Common mistakes
- Putting every source in a footnote. That is not the usual Vancouver citation system. Put the citation number in the text and include the full reference in the numbered list.
- Renumbering a source each time it appears. Reuse the source’s original number throughout the document.
- Sorting the reference list alphabetically. Vancouver reference lists are normally ordered by first citation, not by author surname.
- Assuming all Vancouver guides use identical punctuation. Check the required guide or journal instructions for superscripts, brackets, punctuation, and reference details.
- Treating a table note as a reference. A note can explain a table, but a source used in the table still needs to be cited and included in the reference list as required by the journal.
If your instructions say “Vancouver” but do not clarify footnotes, use numbered in-text citations and a numbered reference list for sources. Ask the instructor or journal editor whether separate explanatory notes are acceptable, and use their specified format.
References
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