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How to Cite in Word

Microsoft Word has many automatic features that help users to write reports and academic papers. One of the most valuable features is keeping a list of sources and citations. Once you learn to enter sources, you can automatically generate a Works Cited list at the end of your paper.

Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Cite Sources

1 - Ask your teacher what style they prefer for citing sources. The most common choices are American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), Turabian and Chicago styles.

2 - Gather the important information about all of your sources. This will include authors, title, page numbers, publisher, edition, city of publication, year of publication and date of access.

3 - Become familiar with the edition of Microsoft Word you are using. Each version places the works cited section in a different place. In most editions it is under a “References” tab in the “Document Elements” or “Document Options” section.

4 - Click on the “Works Cited” choice under references. Then, select the style, such as “MLA” from the drop down box.

Part 2 of 3: Citing Sources While Writing

1 - Type your information that you want to be sourced in your Word document. Click on the end of the sentence when you are ready to cite a source.

2- Return to the References tab at the top of the page. Click “Manage” and the plus sign at the bottom of the Citations dialogue box to add a new citation. If you are using a version of Word before 2011, you will click the button that says “Insert Citation” and select “Add New Source.

3 - Fill out the “Create New Source” dialogue box. The fields that are recommended for your style of writing have an asterisk on them.

4 - Press “Ok” when you are finished. The source will be added to your Citations List.

5 - Access the list of citations when you continue to reference the source in your paper. Each time you want to source a piece of information, you can select an already listed source or add a new source to the list. Click “Edit This Citation” to use the source but change the page number.

6 - Add all of your referenced sources to your list when you finish writing your paper. You can also use the “Footnote” and “Endnote” buttons in the “Citations” box to add notes to each page.

Part 3 of 3: Creating a Works Cited Page

1 - Click the “Bibliography” button when you have listed all the sources and finished writing the paper. Choose between “Bibliography” and “Works Cited.” Your teacher should have specified the type of citation sheet that is required.

2 - Click the “Works Cited” button. The citations will be added in a list at the end of your paper. They are considered a separate object than the writing, similar to a table or image on the paper.

3 - Update the Works Cited object if you change sources in your document. Click on the downward arrow next to the word “Bibliography.” Select “Update Citations and Bibliography.”

4 - Save your document frequently.

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