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How to Add APA 7 Citation Style to Word for Mac
Question details
The user needs to use APA 7th edition formatting for citations and bibliographies, but Word for Mac currently only provides the APA 6th edition option.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Writing an academic paper or document that requires the latest APA 7 formatting for in-text citations and the reference list.
- Observed behavior
- The built-in References feature in Word for Mac only displays APA 6 in the style dropdown, lacking native support for the APA 7th edition style in current or older unupdated versions.
Ensure your Microsoft Word for Mac is updated to the latest version, as Microsoft has rolled out native APA 7 support to newer builds. Save and back up your document before installing any third-party reference managers or custom style files.
Update Microsoft Word to the Latest Version
Microsoft has integrated APA 7 support into recent versions of Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 for Mac. Updating your application is the easiest way to natively acquire the style.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac and open any blank or existing document.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown menu.
If the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool discovers a new version, click the 'Update' button and follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest build.
Once the update is complete, restart Word. Go to the 'References' tab on the ribbon and check the 'Style' dropdown menu to see if APA 7 is now listed.
Use a Third-Party Reference Management Tool
If updating Word doesn't work or your license doesn't support APA 7, external reference managers like Zotero or Mendeley offer seamless APA 7 integration via Word plugins.
Install a Custom APA 7 XSL Style File Manually
Advanced users can manually add a custom bibliography style file (XSL) to Word's internal library folders on macOS to force APA 7 support.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Academic Writing on Mac
If you are experiencing ongoing issues with missing formatting styles, complicated folder structures, or expensive subscriptions in Microsoft Word, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. It supports extensive document formatting and integrates smoothly with standard academic workflows.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free version optimized for macOS.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded installation package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your academic document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file to continue your academic writing with robust formatting support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Word for Mac only show APA 6 instead of APA 7?
Older versions of Microsoft Word for Mac shipped with APA 6th edition as the default standard. APA 7 native support was added much later through Microsoft 365 updates. If you have an older perpetual license (such as Office 2016 or Office 2019) or haven't updated your application recently, you will only see APA 6.
Can I use Mendeley or Zotero with Word for Mac to get APA 7?
Yes. Third-party reference managers like Mendeley, Zotero, and EndNote offer dedicated plugins for Microsoft Word for Mac. These plugins bypass Word's native citation tool entirely, providing automated and highly accurate APA 7 formatting for both in-text citations and bibliographies.
Where can I find a safe APA 7 XSL file for Word?
You can often find user-created or community-shared APA 7 XSL files on the official Microsoft Support Community forums or academic GitHub repositories. Always ensure you are downloading these scripts from reputable users or university resources to avoid software issues.
