How to Change Reference Formatting from Turabian to APA in Word Templates
Question details
The user needs to change the citation style of an existing Word class-assignment template from Turabian to APA format, but the references are not automatically updating.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting references for an academic class assignment.
- Observed behavior
- Selecting APA from the style list fails to automatically update the existing references that were previously formatted in Turabian.
Verify whether the citations in your template were inserted using a dynamic citation manager or typed manually as plain text. Only dynamic fields will update automatically when switching styles.
Migrate Content to an Official APA Template
The most reliable method to ensure correct formatting is transferring your content to an official APA template rather than modifying a stubborn Turabian template.
Often, pre-made academic templates contain locked field codes or hardcoded text that resist global style changes. Rebuilding the document using a fresh APA template is usually faster than troubleshooting broken citation fields.
Go to 'File' > 'New' in Word, search for 'APA' in the template search bar, and download an official APA style template.
Open your original Turabian document, highlight your main text body, and copy it.
Switch to the new APA template, right-click, and select the 'Keep Text Only' paste option to strip away the old Turabian formatting.
Use the 'References' tab set to APA style to re-insert your citations, ensuring they perfectly align with APA guidelines.
Force Update the Bibliography Fields
If you must retain the existing template, try manually forcing an update on the citation fields to recognize the APA style.
Manage APA Citations Effortlessly with WPS Office
WPS Writer offers a comprehensive set of built-in reference tools that make it simple to apply, manage, and switch citation styles like APA with just a few clicks.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your academic document.
- 2. Access reference tools: Navigate to the 'References' tab located on the top menu ribbon.
- 3. Select APA style: Locate the 'Style' dropdown menu in the Citations & Bibliography group and select 'APA'.
- 4. Update or insert: Click 'Insert Citation' to add new academic sources, or click 'Update' to instantly refresh your existing bibliography fields to the new APA format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't my Word citations update when I change the style to APA?
This usually occurs if the citations were typed manually as plain text rather than inserted using Word's built-in Citation tool. It can also happen if a custom template contains locked field codes. Only dynamic, system-generated citation fields will automatically reflect style changes.
How do I convert a Turabian bibliography to APA?
If your bibliography was generated using the dynamic Reference tool, changing the Style dropdown to APA and clicking 'Update Citations and Bibliography' should convert it. If it was typed manually, you must either re-type it following APA rules or input the sources into the Citation manager to generate a new bibliography.
Where can I find an official APA template?
You can find pre-formatted APA templates by opening your word processor, going to 'File' > 'New', and searching for 'APA' in the template search bar. Alternatively, many university writing centers provide downloadable, approved APA templates on their websites.
