Can you Change Individual Footnote Numbering Style?

[Vector Oriole]

Hello,

I need my first footnote on the first page of each section to be an asterisk rather than "1". After the first one, the footnotes need to continue normally (1,2,3...)

Is this possible?

[Barb Binder]

Here's how I handle this...

1. I have the client use a * for the first footnote in Word, and then number the rest normally. (This is important in my legal journals, because footnotes cross-reference other footnote numbers so they need to numbered correctly prior to importing into InDesign.)
2. In InDesign, they come in numbered 1- whatever.
   
3. I cut the first note to the clipboard.
   
4. I delete the 1 reference in the body of the text. The footnotes renumber.
   
   
   
5. I click in front of the 1 in the footnote, press enter, arrow up and paste.
   
6. I add the * and the en space in front.
   

[Vector Oriole]

I see.

So there is no proper way to change individual numbering styles?

My solution so far was to just create a small text box just for the first footnote. Your's seems easier.

I'll wait a while in case there is a more "legitimate" way to do this, and if not, i'll mark your answer as correct.

Thank you for replying.

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Sadly, no legitimate way using InDesign's feature set. (I'm sure scripting these steps would work to speed it up, and you might explore plug-ins—though I looked and didn't find one.) These are the footnote controls as of today, and while you can change the numbering style for all the footnotes, you can't change it mid-way through.

You can request this feature however, for a future release: Wishform - Adobe InDesign

[Vector Oriole]

I understand.

Thank you very much for replying.

[Barb Binder]

Very glad I could help. And like you, I hope one day that this gets automated.