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How to Use APA 7 Citation Style in Microsoft Word
Question details
Users need to format academic papers using the APA 7 citation style, but Microsoft Word's built-in citation manager currently defaults to APA 6.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Writing academic papers and generating formatted citations and bibliographies.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word's built-in citation tool remains limited to APA 6, which can cause students and researchers to submit incorrectly formatted papers unless they apply workarounds.
Verify with your academic institution whether you are permitted to use third-party citation plugins or if you must manually format your document.
Use a Third-Party Citation Manager
Integrate a dedicated citation software like Zotero or EndNote that natively supports the latest APA 7 guidelines.
Because Microsoft Word's native citation manager lacks APA 7 support, using specialized third-party tools is the most reliable method for academic writing. These tools provide dedicated Word add-ins that streamline the citation process.
Download and install an institution-approved citation manager such as Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley, or PERRLA.
Follow the software's prompt to install its Microsoft Word add-in. This will create a new dedicated tab on your Word ribbon.
Open your document in Word, navigate to the newly added citation tab, click on 'Document Preferences' or 'Style', and select 'APA 7th Edition'.
Use the 'Add/Edit Citation' button in the plugin tab to search for your references and insert them into the text, then generate your bibliography automatically.
Apply an APA 7 XSL File or Template
Use community-created or institution-provided XSL stylesheet files to manually add APA 7 to Word's built-in citation styles.
Format Citations Manually
Type out citations and reference lists manually using standard Word formatting tools to ensure total compliance.
Create and Format Academic Papers with WPS Office
Need a seamless writing experience for your academic research? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Word. Enjoy advanced paragraph formatting, easy hanging indents for bibliographies, and seamless integration with your favorite academic citation tools.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing research paper or create a new blank document.
- 3. Format Your Paper: Utilize WPS Writer's comprehensive formatting tools to adjust margins, line spacing, and hanging indents for your APA reference lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Microsoft Word update to include APA 7 automatically?
Currently, Microsoft Word's built-in citation tool is largely limited to APA 6. Users are encouraged to submit feature requests through Microsoft's official feedback channels to advocate for an official APA 7 update.
Can I use APA 7 citation features in Word Online?
The online version of Microsoft Word does not feature the full suite of citation and bibliography tools found in the desktop application. You will likely need to rely on Microsoft-approved third-party add-ins or format your citations manually.
Are third-party citation add-ins safe to use for academic papers?
Yes, widely recognized tools like Zotero, EndNote, and Mendeley are trusted by academic institutions globally. They provide secure, up-to-date add-ins that ensure accurate APA 7 formatting.
