To update a bibliography in Word, click inside it and choose Update Citations and Bibliography on the tab that appears at the top of the field, or click it and press F9. Word rebuilds the list from the citations in your document. To fix an entry’s details, edit the source in References > Manage Sources, then update again. To switch citation style, pick a new one from References > Style.
Quick Answer
Click the bibliography > Update Citations and Bibliography (or F9). Edit sources in References > Manage Sources.
Steps to Update a Bibliography
- Click anywhere in the bibliography or works cited list.
- Click Update Citations and Bibliography on the field’s tab, or press F9.
- To correct a source, open References > Manage Sources, select it in the Current List and click Edit.
- Save the change and update the bibliography again.
- To change the style (APA, MLA, Chicago and so on), choose it from References > Style; citations and the list update together.
Common Bibliography Tasks
| Task | How |
|---|---|
| Add a new source | References > Insert Citation > Add New Source |
| Fix a source’s details | References > Manage Sources > Edit |
| Change citation style | References > Style |
| Update everything at once | Ctrl + A, then F9 |
| Freeze the list as plain text | Bibliography tab menu > Convert Bibliography to Static Text |
Troubleshooting
- No update button: The list may have been converted to static text or typed by hand. Delete it and insert a new one with References > Bibliography.
- Removed source still listed: Delete its citation from the text as well as from the document’s source list, then update.
- Entries out of order: See putting a bibliography in alphabetical order.
- Hanging indents: See indenting citations in Word.
Related: Make a quotation in Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Word update the bibliography automatically?
Not always. Update it after adding or changing citations, especially before printing or exporting to PDF.
Can I edit the bibliography text directly?
You can, but updating the field overwrites manual edits. Edit the source instead.
Does this work on a Mac?
Yes. The References tab and field update options are similar in Word for Mac.
Summary
- Click the bibliography.
- Choose Update Citations and Bibliography or press F9.
- Fix sources in Manage Sources.
- Change the style from the References tab.
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.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.