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Markdown Footnote Extractor / Validator

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Extract every Markdown-Extra-style footnote reference ([^label]) and definition ([^label]: text) from a document, then flag references with no matching definition and definitions that are never referenced

Paste a Markdown document that uses Markdown-Extra or Pandoc-style footnotes, the [^label] inline reference paired with a [^label]: text definition elsewhere in the document, and get back every definition and reference pulled apart, cross-checked against each other. It flags a reference that points at a label with no matching definition, which would render as a dangling link in most Markdown processors, and separately flags a definition that's never referenced anywhere, dead content that's easy to leave behind after an edit. Multi-line definitions using 4-space or tab-indented continuation lines are supported and folded into a single definition's text. This is a validation and extraction pass only, it doesn't render the Markdown or renumber footnotes, so pair it with your actual Markdown renderer once the references and definitions line up.

markdownfootnotesdocumentationvalidator

How to use Markdown Footnote Extractor / Validator

  • 1.Paste a Markdown document containing [^label] references and matching [^label]: definitions.
  • 2.Check the unresolved references and unused definitions callouts to catch a dangling reference or orphaned footnote before publishing.
  • 3.Review each definition's full text, including any indented continuation lines, alongside how many times it's actually referenced.

Frequently asked questions

What footnote syntax does this support?
Markdown-Extra and Pandoc-style footnotes: an inline [^label] reference and a [^label]: definition line, with 4-space or tab-indented lines right after a definition folded in as its continuation. It doesn't support other footnote conventions some processors invent.
What counts as an unresolved reference vs. an unused definition?
An unresolved reference is a [^label] in the body with no matching [^label]: definition anywhere in the document. An unused definition is the opposite: a definition that exists but is never referenced by any [^label] in the body.
Does a footnote reference inside another footnote's definition text get counted?
No, a [^label] appearing inside a definition's own continuation lines is treated as part of that definition's text, not as a separate reference, since nested footnotes aren't part of this syntax.
Does this render the footnotes or renumber them?
No, it only extracts and validates what's already in the document as plain text. Rendering and renumbering is left to your actual Markdown processor.

Use via API, SDK, or MCP

cURL# Free: 1,000 req/day · Pro: 10,000 req/day
curl -X POST https://api.utilix.tech/v1/tools/markdown-footnote-extractor \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer utx_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"markdown":"A claim[^1].\n\n[^1]: The source."}'

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