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How to Fix APA Citation Field Codes and Bibliography Display in Word
Question details
The user needs to fix Word displaying field codes instead of formatted APA citations and bibliographies, and requires access to the APA 7th edition formatting style.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2013
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Inserting or viewing academic citations and bibliographies in a Word document.
- Observed behavior
- Word displays raw field codes like {CITATION...} or {Bibliography} instead of the actual formatted text, and natively lacks the APA 7th edition style.
Ensure your document is saved before making formatting changes, and identify whether your computer keyboard requires holding the 'Fn' key to activate F-number keys.
Toggle Field Codes to Display Formatted Citations
Use a simple keyboard shortcut or the context menu to hide raw field codes and display your citations and bibliography correctly.
When Microsoft Word displays text inside curly brackets like {CITATION SMI20}, it means the application is currently set to show field codes instead of the final formatted result. This is a display toggle rather than a permanent error.
Locate the {CITATION...} or {Bibliography} text in your document and left-click it to select the field.
Right-click the selected field code and choose 'Toggle Field Codes' from the context menu.
Alternatively, press 'Alt + F9' on your keyboard to instantly toggle all field codes in the document. If you are using a laptop, you may need to press 'Alt + Fn + F9'.
Install a Custom APA 7th Edition Style
Since Word 2013 defaults to APA 6th edition, you must manually install a compatible APA 7th edition style file.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Formatting
Struggling with outdated citation styles or messy field codes in older versions of Microsoft Word? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and modern alternative with excellent compatibility for your academic and professional writing needs.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free suite and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. WPS maintains full compatibility with your text and formatting.
- 3. Manage References: Navigate to the References tab to easily manage and format your citations and bibliographies with modern, streamlined tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word show {CITATION} instead of my author and date?
This happens because Word is currently configured to display raw 'field codes' instead of their calculated results. Pressing Alt + F9 will toggle this setting off and reveal the standard citation.
Does Word 2013 have the APA 7th edition format?
No, Word 2013 natively supports up to the APA 6th edition. To use APA 7th edition, you must download a custom .xsl style file from a trusted source and manually place it in Word's Bibliography Style folder.
Why doesn't Alt+F9 work on my laptop to hide field codes?
Many modern laptops map the top row of keys to media controls by default. To use standard F-key functions, you typically need to hold the Function (Fn) key. Try pressing Alt + Fn + F9 to toggle your field codes.
