What is the significance of using footnotes in a document?

Using footnotes in a document serves a crucial role in providing additional information or citations without cluttering the main text. This allows the author to include references, explanations, or data that support the content without interrupting the flow of the writing. By placing these notes at the bottom of the page, readers can easily access supplementary information without detracting from the primary message of the document.

Other options relate to different aspects of document formatting and content. While including graphs and tables is important for visual data representation, it does not align with the primary function of footnotes. Summarizing the document is typically done through the abstract or conclusion, which serves a different purpose than footnotes. Modifying the document's font style is a design choice that affects the appearance of the text but does not pertain to the informative role of footnotes. Overall, footnotes enhance the scholarly quality and readability of a text by ensuring that additional information is readily accessible yet discreet.