How to Add Citations in Microsoft Word
Updated August 2026
Word has a built-in citation manager on the References tab. Here's how to use it for APA, MLA, or Chicago — and where it helps to bring in a generator.
You can insert in-text citations and an automatic bibliography without leaving Word.
Using the References tab
- Go to the References tab → set Style (APA, MLA, Chicago…).
- Click Insert Citation → Add New Source, choose the type, and fill the fields.
- Place in-text citations as you write; reuse saved sources from the dropdown.
- At the end, click Bibliography → Insert Bibliography (or References/Works Cited).
What it produces — and where it's weak
Word's output looks like the examples above. Its limits: you type every field manually, its style templates can lag the latest edition rules, and it has no source types for AI, datasets, or newer platforms. For those, build the reference in the generator — from a link, DOI, or ISBN — and paste it into your bibliography.
Rasch, B., & Born, J. (2013). About sleep's role in memory. Physiological Reviews, 93(2), 681-766. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00032.2012
In-text(Rasch & Born, 2013)
Martin, Robert C. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship. Prentice Hall, 2008.
In-text(Martin 2008)
The hybrid that works best
Let Word handle in-text citations and the document; use a citation generator to build accurate references quickly (it reads a DOI, URL, or ISBN). Paste the finished citation in. Fast and correct, without hand-typing.
Keep every citation you make.
A free account saves your citation history and organizes sources into projects with notes and tags.
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Go Premium — $5/monthFrequently asked questions
- How do I add citations in Microsoft Word?
- Use the References tab: set your style, then Insert Citation → Add New Source, and Insert Bibliography at the end.
- Why does Word format my citation incorrectly?
- Word relies on the fields you enter and can lag the latest style edition. Build the reference in a dedicated generator and paste it in for accuracy.
- Can Word cite a source from a URL or DOI?
- No — it needs manual entry. Use a generator that reads a URL, DOI, or ISBN, then paste the result into Word.