How to Cite Resources Using Google Doc's Built-in Citation Tools

    Using Google Docs Built-in Citation Tools

    When typing in Google Docs, you can create citations easily with the built-in citation tools. To create a citation and bibliography, please follow these instructions:

    Add Citations and a Bibliography

    You can add citations and a bibliography to your Google Doc with these styles:
    • MLA (8th ed.)
    • APA (7th ed.)
    • Chicago Author-Date (17th ed.)

    Important: The citations tool is available in all languages, but the elements the tool generates in your document only appear in English at this time. 
    For example:

    • A book title you enter in the citations tool appears in the language you entered it.
    • The “Bibliography” heading, “edited by,” and other elements generated by the citations tool appear in English regardless of your language in Google Docs.

    You can translate auto-generated elements to another language after you insert them in your document.


    To add citations and a bibliography:
    1. Open a document in Google Docs and click on 'Tools'.
    2. Click on 'Citations'.
    3. In the sidebar, select your formatting style from MLA, APA, or Chicago Author-Date.

    Add a Citation Source and Related Details

    1. In the Citations sidebar, under your selected style, click '+ Add citation source'.
    2. Select your source type.
    3. Select how you accessed your source.
      • You can use a URL to search for websites or online newspapers, or use an ISBN number to search for books.
    4. Enter or edit any source information in the fields.
      • Recommended fields include a blue asterisk.
      • To add multiple contributors, click '+Contributor".
      • You can indicate if a contributor is an organization, such as a company.
    5. Click 'Add citation source'. 

    Insert an In-text Citation

    1. In the text of your document, place your cursor where you want the citation to appear.
      • In the Citations sidebar, hover over the source you want to cite.
    2. A Cite button appears on the side of the citation source.
    3. Click 'Cite'.
      • The source appears in your selected style within the text of your document.
    4. If a “#” appears in the text of your document, delete it or replace it with the page number(s) for your citation.

    Edit a Citation Source

    1. In the Citations sidebar, hover over the source you want to edit.
      • A Menu More button appears on the side of the citation source.
    2. Click Menu More and click 'Edit'. 
    3. Edit your source information in the fields.
      • Recommended fields include a blue asterisk.
    4. At the bottom of the sidebar, click 'Save source'.

    Delete a Citation Source

    1. In the Citations sidebar, hover over the source you want to delete.
      • A Menu More button appears on the side of the citation source.
    2. Click 'Menu'Moreand click 'Delete'.

    Insert a Bibliography

    1. In your document, place your cursor where you want the bibliography to appear.
    2. In the Citations sidebar at the bottom, click 'Insert bibliography'.
      A bibliography appears in your selected style.
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