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February 21, 2019 | Blog, Learning Center
If you’re writing an academic paper, thesis, dissertation, or journal article, correctly citing your sources is critical. Citation styles like APA, MLA, and Chicago require specific formatting that can be time-consuming to apply manually. Fortunately, using Microsoft Word’s referencing tool allows you to manage citations and bibliographies efficiently and accurately—without the need for external software.
Word’s built-in referencing tool lets you insert in-text citations, store source details, and automatically generate a bibliography or reference list that complies with your selected style guide. Integrating this tool into your writing workflow not only improves consistency but also saves hours of editing time.
Step 1: Access the References Tab
Open your Word document and click on the References tab in the ribbon. This tab is available in all modern versions of Word, including Word 2010, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365.
Step 2: Choose a Citation Style
In the Citations & Bibliography group, open the Style dropdown menu. Select the citation style required by your institution or publisher—e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard.
Step 3: Add Citations While You Write
Word will insert a properly formatted in-text citation. The source will also be saved for future use in the Source Manager.
Step 4: Create a Bibliography or Reference List
Word will generate the bibliography automatically based on the sources you’ve cited in your document.
The Manage Sources button opens Word’s Source Manager, which allows you to:
Microsoft 365 and Word 2021 offer enhanced functionality and interface improvements. Key features include:
In Word Online (browser version), referencing tools are available under References > Citations. You can add new sources, select a citation style, and insert citations directly into your document from any browser.
Prefer visual instructions? The following tutorials walk you through how to use the referencing tool in various Word versions:
For detailed instructions, see Microsoft Word’s tutorial on how to add citations and bibliographies using the Microsoft Word referencing manager.
Becoming familiar with how citations and references work will help you catch formatting errors and enhance your academic credibility. But using Microsoft Word’s referencing tool allows you to automate most of the work—saving time, ensuring accuracy, and letting you focus on writing and research.
Need help with referencing or citation formatting? Our expert editors can ensure your references are complete, accurate, and properly styled according to your required citation guide. Get an instant quote on our order page today.
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Our professional editing and proofreading services are trusted by household names in business and education.