Office Settings & Configuration

How to Classify and Cite an Encyclopedia in Word References

Elise Williams Oct 13, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to properly classify and enter an encyclopedia into the Microsoft Word Source Manager to create accurate academic citations.

How to Classify and Cite an Encyclopedia in Word References

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating an academic paper or report where proper citation of an encyclopedia is required for the bibliography.
Observed behavior: The user is unsure which source type to select in Word's Source Manager to accurately represent an encyclopedia entry.

Before you start

Verify the required citation style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago) for your document, as this will determine exactly which information fields are mandatory for your encyclopedia entry.

Solution 1Recommended

Adding an Encyclopedia as a Reference Book in Source Manager

Use the built-in Manage Sources tool to properly classify and format your encyclopedia entry as a Reference Book or Book Section.

In Microsoft Word, an encyclopedia is generally treated as a Reference Book. If you are citing a specific article or entry written by a specific author within the encyclopedia, it is often best classified as a 'Book Section' so you can list both the entry title and the overall encyclopedia title.

Navigate to the References tab

Open your Word document and click on the 'References' tab located on the top ribbon.

Open Source Manager

In the Citations & Bibliography group, click on 'Manage Sources' to open the source management window.

Create a new source

Click the 'New' button to open the Create Source dialog box.

Select the appropriate source type

Click the 'Type of Source' drop-down menu and select 'Reference Book' (or 'Book Section' if you are citing a specific article within the encyclopedia).

Enter the publication details

Fill in the required fields such as Author, Title, Year, Publisher, and Edition. Once all information is accurately entered, click 'OK' to save the source to your list.

Adding an Encyclopedia as a Reference Book in Source Manager

Revealing Additional Fields: If you cannot find a specific field for your encyclopedia entry, check the 'Show All Bibliography Fields' box in the lower-left corner of the Create Source dialog box to reveal extended input options.

Manage Citations Easily in WPS

Easily Manage References and Bibliographies with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides robust, built-in referencing tools that allow you to seamlessly insert, manage, and format citations for encyclopedias and other academic sources without complex configurations.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your research document in the Writer application.
2. Go to References: Navigate to the 'References' tab on the top menu ribbon.
3. Add a New Source: Click 'Insert Citation' and select 'Add New Source' to start classifying your encyclopedia.
4. Input Source Details: Choose 'Book' or 'Book Section' as your source type, fill in the encyclopedia's publication details, and click 'OK'.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and referencing tools.Intuitive Source Manager for easy classification of encyclopedias, journals, and websites.Supports standard academic citation styles including APA, MLA, and IEEE.Lightweight software with a familiar, easy-to-use interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am only citing one article from a large encyclopedia?

If you are citing a specific entry or article rather than the entire encyclopedia, select 'Book Section' as your source type. This allows you to input the specific entry title alongside the overarching encyclopedia title and editor.

How do I update my bibliography after adding a new encyclopedia source?

Click anywhere inside your existing bibliography in the document. A tab will appear at the top of the field; click 'Update Citations and Bibliography' to refresh the list with your newly added references.

Why are some fields missing when I select Reference Book?

Word displays the default recommended fields based on the citation style you have currently selected (e.g., APA or MLA). To see all available fields, such as 'Volume' or 'Standard Number', check the box labeled 'Show All Bibliography Fields' in the Create Source dialog box.

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