前述参照のこと。

English Translation

See above.

Would this phrase be seen in, for example, a textbook or document?

@ericaw
前述参照のこと is an unnatural collocation. It should be:

上記参照(じょうきさんしょう)or 上記参照のこと (i.e. attaching のこと is optional)

右記参照 (+ のこと)

As you assumed, these phrases are used only in a written format such as reports, notification letters, documents, corporate announcements on a website etc. If documents are written horizontally (e.g. websites), use 上記 (see above) whereas 右記 (see right) is for vertically written documents.

前述 (or 先述) means “aforementioned”. We often say 前述の通り (as explained earlier), but 前述 + 参照 is very unnatural to my native ears.