Multiple endnotes citation - how is it done? AMA style referencing

[alemagn]

Hello,

I would like to know how to cite multiple endnotes in a closed series of endnotes. It is something that is used for AMA style referencing.

For example: ‘As reported previously,1,3-8,19’. (endnotes are superscripted of course)

How do I add the hyphen without loosing the endnotes between 3 to 8 (also how do I add the endnotes too e.g. 4, 5, 6, 7)? That is, how can I cite multiple sources while omitting part of the range cited?

If it helps, please look at the AMA referencing style guide.

Thanks in advance,
Alex

[ajlittoz]

A question here should be self-contained. A form like “Tell me how to implement AMA §5 rule 9” is disrespectful for the benevolent contributors of this site. You should describe in simple words what you want to achieve. Remember that the majority of us are not 1) American, 2) English-speaking natives, 3) professional typographers.

There are two ways to answer your question, considering its ambiguity.

##Using existing footnote reference numbers

The same footnote may be referenced from several locations in your document:

Lorem² ipsum dolor² sit amet,

You create the footnote “as usual” on the first occurrence. The second reference is handled as a cross-reference: Insert>Cross-reference, Cross-references tab where you choose Type as Footnotes, select the correct note in Selection and Reference in Insert reference to. Of course, the inserted reference is formatted as ordinary text of the paragraph and should receive Footnote Anchor character style to look like a note reference.

If you customised Tools>Footnotes & Endnotes, use the character style defined in Text Area instead of Footnote Anchor.

##Creating several footnotes at the same location and omitting some

Start by creating the notes as usual:

Lorem¹,²,³,⁴ ipsum dolor sit amet,

Note I inserted commas between the note anchors. The commas are formatted as requested by the paragraph style. Apply character style Footnote anchor to make them look the same as the note references.

Now, you don’t like the sequence “1,2,3,4”. You want it to look like “1-4”. Remove the commas (they are plain text you added) and insert a dash before the “4” to get “123-4”. Assuming the dash has been styled, the line looks like:

Lorem^123-4 ipsum dolor sit amet,

Create a new character style Hidden with Hidden attribute checked in Font Effects (no other attribute needed). Select the “2” and “3” references and apply the Hidden character style. You get:

Lorem^1-4 ipsum dolor sit amet,

Both techniques can be combined for non consecutive lists of note references. When the notes are created “inline”, the references are consecutive. Therefore something like “1,3-8,19” means only 19 may be a fresh note; all others are cross-references.

Important: when using such tricks as cross-references and hidden text, it is highly recommended to work with View>Formatting Marks, View>Field Shadings enabled and to have Hidden text checked in Display fields of Tools>Options>LibreOffice Writer>View.

(edit only removed typos; nothing new)

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[alemagn]

Thanks a lot for the answer. Very enlightening and clear.

[ajlittoz]

Then, please, click the tick mark near the answer to tell the community the answer solved your question.

[alemagn]

A follow up question because I am running into a difficulty.

Creating a Hidden character style and applying it on let’s say as in the example above to endnote 2 and 3, the endnotes at the end of the text become hidden too.

Is there a way to avoid this? Just make hidden the numbered endnotes within the text but not the corresponding endnotes at the end of the text?

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated!

[ajlittoz]

Apologies! I had not tested thoroughly my solution. The hidden trick was added quickly without experimenting.

It looks like the character style defined for the anchor in Tools>Footnotes & Endnotes takes precedence over any character style and even over direct-formatting as far as Position parameters are concerned.

The only trick I could find was to manually direct-format the note anchor setting font size to 2pt (the absolute minimum) and colour to white. This is not perfect because it leaves a tiny space (and this space is wider when the note reference has several digits). Perhaps also forcing the font face could reduce this space.

The biggest default of the trick is it relies on manual direct-formatting.

[alemagn]

No worries! Thanks again for your response and solution.