As someone who deals with academic writing regularly, I know how annoying it can be to cite PDFs. From reports to white papers, these documents make up a major chunk of research material, but citing them could make a mess out of it. Missing metadata, unclear authorship, and different citation rules for
APA, MLA, or Chicago styles all make the process feel like more work than the actual paper. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to cite a PDF effectively using the best PDF citation generators and then show you how to cleanly import those citations into WPS Word.
Best Free PDF Citation Generators
Citing a PDF manually can be frustrating: missing authors, weird titles, and inconsistent formats make it tricky. That’s where a pdf citation generator comes in handy to generate citations fromPDF quickly and accurately. I’ll walk you through the best free tools I’ve tested myself, breaking down their pros, cons, and which one fits your workflow best.
Citation Machine
Citation Machine is an established online tool designed to help students and researchers generate citations in seconds. It supports all major citation styles and includes a dedicated guide for how to cite a PDF. What makes this tool stand out is its simplicity and wide recognition.
You can search for sources manually or paste details from your PDF, and the tool formats them instantly. It’s especially useful when you're on a deadline and need quick, reliable results. Citation Machine has been trusted by millions, making it a staple in academic writing.
Pros:
Supports APA, MLA, Chicago, and more with just a few clicks.
Offers specific guidance on PDF citation formats.
Allows you to manually edit and customize the citation.
Cons:
Free version contains a lot of ads.
Advanced features require signing up for a premium version.
Doesn’t always pull metadata correctly from PDFs.
Honestly, Citation Machine works well for quick references, but I found it a bit clunky during peak traffic times. If you're in a hurry, it's convenient—but double-check the citation output.
MyBib
MyBib is a clean, ad-free, and intuitive citation generator. It's particularly friendly for students new to citation formats. Its modern interface and ability to save multiple projects make it a go-to for many. You can easily generate citations for PDFs by entering the title or uploading the document, and the tool handles the rest.
It supports APA, MLA, Chicago, and more, with live previews so you can double-check formatting. What really sets MyBib apart is the ability to organize citations into folders, perfect for big research projects or long papers.
Pros:
Completely free and ad-free.
Real-time citation preview and multiple format support.
Saves your work in citation projects.
Cons:
Limited support for rare or complex PDF types.
Doesn't pull PDF metadata as accurately as premium tools.
No in-built writing assistant.
I really like how MyBib keeps things organized. I used it for a long-form essay, and having all my sources in one place was a lifesaver. It's solid for students on a budget.
EasyBib
EasyBib brings a long-standing reputation for citation generation. It's particularly helpful for beginners thanks to its detailed guides and user-friendly design. It also includes writing tips and grammar checks. When citing a PDF, you can simply enter the document details or URL, and it generates citations in your chosen format. EasyBib supports APA, MLA, and Chicago, and it gives you suggestions if any required information is missing.
One of its biggest strengths is the educational support it offers through tutorials and citation walkthroughs. This makes it more than just a tool, it’s a learning aid too.
Pros:
Step-by-step walkthroughs for citing PDFs.
Built-in spell-checker and writing tools.
Allows both manual and automatic citation entry.
Cons:
Ads can be intrusive on the free version.
Some citation styles need to be selected manually each time.
Limited export formats unless you upgrade.
I’ve found EasyBib helpful when I wanted a bit more handholding. It’s like a mini tutor, great for beginners but a bit slow for fast-paced tasks.
Grammarly Citation Tool
Grammarly isn’t just about grammar anymore. Their citation tool is new but promising, offering clean citation formats that integrate well with your writing. You can use it directly while editing in Grammarly. It supports popular styles like APA and MLA, and the interface is just as polished as the rest of Grammarly’s features.
When working with a PDF, you can manually enter source info or copy-paste content to cite with ease. What’s great is that it fits naturally into the writing process, especially for students already using Grammarly for proofreading. It's a smart addition for those looking to stay focused in one workspace.
Pros:
Seamlessly adds citations while writing.
Polished, minimal UI.
Strong on MLA formatting for PDFs.
Cons:
Still limited in citation style variety.
Requires a Grammarly account.
Not ideal for bulk citation generation.
If you already use Grammarly, this tool fits right in. For me, it's perfect when I'm writing inside Grammarly, but I wouldn't use it as a standalone citation hub yet.
I've tested all four tools across multiple college assignments. MyBib was the cleanest for managing citations, while Citation Machine was my go-to when speed mattered. EasyBib’s detailed guides saved me when I wasn’t sure about Chicago style rules. Grammarly worked best when I was already writing in its editor.
How to Import PDF Citations in WPS Word
Once you've used a pdf citation generator to generate citations from PDF sources, the next step is formatting them properly in your document, and that’s where WPS Word steps in. WPS Word is a powerful, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word, and it shines when you’re working with citations. Its built-in tools let you manage spacing, apply hanging indents, and save custom templates, all essential for academic formatting.
Advantages of WPS Word:
Lightweight and fast, perfect for lower-spec systems.
Free to use with extensive formatting features.
Great compatibility with APA, MLA, and Chicago templates.
Easy to customize citationlayouts.
Step-by-Step: Importing PDF Citations into WPS Word
Before we dive in, you’ll want your citation generated using a tool like MyBib or Citation Machine and saved in text or BibTeX format.
Step 1: Open WPS Word and your document. Start with the document where your citation will go. Make sure it’s in the correct citation format (APA, MLA, or Chicago).
Step 2: Copy your citation from the generator. Use Ctrl+C to copy it from MyBib or any other tool you've used. Make sure it looks correct and has the needed elements like author, date, title.
Step 3: Paste it into your References or Bibliography section. Now go to your reference section and Ctrl+V that citation in place. It should already be close to the correct format and once formatting looks solid, you’re good to go!
FAQs
Q1: Can I cite a PDF without an author?
Yes, just use the title of the PDF in place of the author’s name. Still follow the standard citation format.
Q2: Which style should I use for a government PDF?
APA is common for science or social science. Chicago works well for history or legal documents.
Q3: Can WPS Word auto-generate citations?
Not by itself, but it makes manual formatting super easy with tools like hanging indent and saved templates.
Q4: Can I save a reusable Chicago/APA citation template in WPS?
Yes, format it once, save it as a template, and boom—you’re good to go every time.
