Microsoft Word can generate a bibliography from citation sources entered through its References tools. This reduces repetitive formatting, but the source information still needs to be accurate and appropriate for the required citation style.
Steps
- Place the cursor where the bibliography should appear, usually near the end of the document.
- Open the References tab and choose the citation Style required by your instructor, publisher, or organization.
- Use Insert Citation > Add New Source to enter each source’s details.
- Insert citations in the document where required.
- At the bibliography location, choose Bibliography and select the desired built-in format.
- Review the generated entries against the required style guide.
- After changing source information, update the bibliography and related citations.
Word cannot verify your research data
The program can format what you enter, but it cannot guarantee that an author name, publication date, title, DOI, URL, or page number is correct.
Citation styles change over time
Institutional requirements can differ from Word’s built-in implementation of APA, MLA, Chicago, and other styles. Follow the current instructions supplied for the assignment or publication.
Source Manager can reuse references
Word’s source-management tools can help copy or reuse sources between documents, but review imported records before relying on them.
Do not manually edit generated entries too early
Direct formatting changes can be lost when a bibliography field updates. Correct the underlying source information first, then make only necessary final adjustments after the content is stable.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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