Office Settings & Configuration

How to Add Chicago Citation Style to Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to add or restore the Chicago Citation Style in Microsoft Word when only MLA and APA are available.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting academic or professional documents requiring Chicago style references.
Observed behavior: The citation-style list in Word only displays MLA and APA, and the Chicago style is missing, possibly due to system restrictions.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer, as adding or modifying citation styles may require access to hidden system folders, especially on company-managed devices.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore Missing Citation Styles via AppData Folder

Manually add the Chicago style XSL file to Microsoft Word's Bibliography Style folder.

Microsoft Word uses XSL files to generate bibliography styles. If Chicago is missing, its corresponding file might have been deleted or not installed. You can restore it by copying the correct XSL file into Word's designated style folder.

Download the citation style

Download the required Chicago citation style XSL file from a trusted Microsoft resource, support forum, or standard repository.

Open the Bibliography folder

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

Paste the style file

Copy the downloaded Chicago style XSL file and paste it directly into this Style folder.

Restart Microsoft Word

Close and reopen Microsoft Word, then navigate to the 'References' tab. Check the Style dropdown menu to verify that the Chicago style is now available.

Alternative Location: If the AppData path does not work, try checking 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\Bibliography\Style' depending on your Office version.

Solution 2

Request IT Administrator Assistance

Use this method if you are working on a company computer with restricted file system access.

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Use WPS Office as a Seamless Alternative

If you are struggling with missing citation styles or restricted settings in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible word processor with robust features and no complicated folder configurations required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some citation styles missing in Microsoft Word?

Citation styles may be missing if the style files (.XSL) were accidentally deleted, corrupted during an update, or omitted during the initial Office installation. Restricted company networks can also prevent certain style updates from applying.

Where are Microsoft Word citation styles stored?

Citation styles are typically stored in the AppData directory. You can find them by navigating to '%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Bibliography\Style' on a Windows PC.

Can I use third-party citation tools with Word?

Yes, you can install third-party reference management plugins like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to manage complex citation styles such as Chicago, APA, and MLA without relying on Word's built-in style list.

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