How to Add Cite Them Right Harvard Style in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user is looking for an official or reliable way to add the Cite Them Right Harvard citation style to Microsoft Word's built-in references.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting academic papers and generating bibliographies using the specific Cite Them Right Harvard referencing style.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word does not natively include the Cite Them Right Harvard style in its default Citations and Bibliography options, offering only generic Harvard variants.
Ensure your Microsoft Word application is closed before modifying system folders, and back up any existing custom .XSL citation style files just in case.
Download and Install an Unofficial .XSL Style File
Since Microsoft does not officially provide this specific variation, you can manually install a custom style file created by university libraries to use within Word's native citation tool.
Cite Them Right is a third-party referencing resource rather than a software application. While Word supports a generic Harvard style, the specific Cite Them Right format requires a custom .XSL file. Many universities provide these files online for their students.
Search online for an unofficial 'Harvard - Cite Them Right.xsl' file. University library portals, such as the UHI LibAnswers website, often host safe versions of this file for download.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your Microsoft Word style folder. The typical path is: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Bibliography\Style. You may need to enable 'Hidden items' in the View tab to see the AppData folder.
Copy the downloaded .xsl file and paste it directly into the Style folder.
Open Microsoft Word, navigate to the References tab, click the Style dropdown menu in the Citations & Bibliography group, and select your newly added Cite Them Right Harvard style.
Utilize Dedicated Reference Management Software
Instead of modifying Word's internal system files, use a third-party reference manager that automatically updates its citation styles, including Cite Them Right Harvard.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Academic Writing
If configuring Microsoft Word's citation styles becomes too tedious, WPS Writer provides a highly compatible and lightweight alternative. It seamlessly supports major third-party reference managers like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote, making it incredibly easy to format your papers in Cite Them Right Harvard without digging through hidden system folders.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install the free WPS Office suite and launch WPS Writer.
- 2. Install your reference manager plugin: Install Zotero or Mendeley and enable its WPS-compatible citation plugin.
- 3. Cite effortlessly: Use the dedicated References tab within WPS Writer to insert Cite Them Right Harvard citations directly into your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft Word natively support Harvard style?
Yes, Microsoft Word natively includes a generic version of the Harvard referencing style. However, it does not specifically include the 'Cite Them Right' variation by default.
Why isn't Cite Them Right Harvard included in Word's default styles?
Cite Them Right is a specific third-party referencing guide and textbook. Microsoft Word generally prioritizes broad industry-standard styles (like APA, MLA, and generic Harvard) rather than localized textbook or university-specific variations.
Will my custom citation style transfer if I send the document to someone else?
The plain text of your citations and bibliography will remain intact. However, if the recipient tries to update the bibliography or add new citations, they will need the exact same custom .XSL file installed on their computer, or Word will revert the formatting to an available default style.
Is there an official Cite Them Right add-in for Word?
No, Cite Them Right does not offer an official downloadable plugin or add-in. They provide formatting guidelines, but to automate the process, you must rely on unofficial style files or third-party reference management software.
