Formatting Issues

How to Add APA 7th Edition Referencing in Microsoft Word

Camila Milosovich Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need a way to create APA 7th edition citations and bibliographies, as Microsoft Word lacks official support for this formatting style.

How to Add APA 7th Edition Referencing in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting academic papers, essays, and bibliographies according to the latest APA 7th edition guidelines.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word does not include the APA 7th edition in its native reference style drop-down menu, forcing users to seek alternative workarounds.

Before you start

Before downloading any third-party referencing style files, ensure they are sourced from a reputable academic institution or trusted community repository to avoid formatting errors.

Solution 1Recommended

Install a Community-Provided APA 7th Edition Style File

Since Microsoft does not officially offer APA 7th, you can manually add a custom XSL style file into Word's system folder to enable it.

While Microsoft evaluates feedback for an official update, academic communities have created custom .xsl files that add APA 7th edition rules directly to Word's built-in citation tool.

Download the style file

Download a trusted APA 7th edition .xsl file from a university website or a verified GitHub repository.

Open the Bibliography folder

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type '%appdata%\Microsoft\Bibliography\Style', and press Enter.

Paste the file

Copy your downloaded .xsl file and paste it into the Style folder that just opened.

Apply in Word

Restart Microsoft Word, navigate to the 'References' tab on the ribbon, and select 'APA 7th' from the 'Style' drop-down menu.

Install a Community-Provided APA 7th Edition Style File

Restart Required: Microsoft Word must be completely closed and reopened for the new citation style to appear in the References tab.

Solution 2

Use a Third-Party Citation Manager

Bypass Microsoft Word's built-in limitations by using a dedicated reference management plugin.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Academic Writing

Looking for a lighter, faster way to write academic papers? WPS Writer is a highly compatible and free Microsoft Office alternative that supports standard academic formatting and works seamlessly with top third-party citation plugins.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open your existing .docx files without losing any formatting.
3. Write and format: Use built-in tools or supported citation plugins to finish your academic assignments perfectly.

Free and lightweight office suite for Windows, Mac, and LinuxHigh compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) document formatsEasily supports third-party citation extensions for APA 7th referencingFamiliar tabbed interface for a zero-learning-curve migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Microsoft officially update Word with APA 7th edition?

Currently, Microsoft has not released an official update to include APA 7th edition natively in Word. Users are encouraged to submit and upvote requests on the Microsoft Feedback portal to prioritize this feature.

Where is the bibliography styles folder located on Mac?

On a Mac, the styles folder is typically located at /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/16.0/Built-In Bibliography Styles. You can paste custom .xsl files here.

Why is my custom APA 7th style not showing up in Word?

If the new style doesn't appear in the References drop-down, ensure that the file ends exactly with the `.xsl` extension, is placed in the correct Bibliography\Style folder, and that you have fully closed and restarted Microsoft Word.

Can I use EndNote for APA 7th edition in Word?

Yes. EndNote, like Mendeley and Zotero, fully supports the APA 7th edition. By installing the EndNote Cite While You Write (CWYW) add-in, you can format citations automatically in Word regardless of its native limitations.

Document & File Issues