Are you curious about how to format citations in Google Docs? If so, learn how to use Google Docs to put text citations in your papers.
There are numerous citation style options, ranging from Chicago style to APA and MLA format citations, and it can be challenging to remember how to format each. However, when it is time for you to add your works cited page, it can be helpful to use a citation tool to help you. Google Docs has become a popular option for writing papers, but how do you add your citations in Google Docs? Learn more about the steps you need to follow if you want to add citations to your journal article.
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Citing Sources in Google Docs: Materials Needed
If you want to add citations to your article in Google Docs, you need several materials. They include:
- You need to have a computer to open Google apps, such as Google Docs.
- You need to have access to the internet to open Google Docs.
- You need to have a browser, such as Chrome, to insert a bibliography.
- You may want to have a tool that can help you add the right citation format to your article.
- You need to have access to your sources to collect the information to add your citations.
Once you have these materials collected, you can add your citations.
How To Format Citations In Google Docs
1. Apply Your One-Inch Margins
You need to make sure that Google Docs can add your one-inch margins. You can check this by heading to the dropdown menu and looking at the “file” section. Next, head to the “page setup” area, and make sure all of your margins have been set to 1. Finally, apply this to the entirety of the document.
2. Check the Font and Size
In the same menu, you need to make sure that you use the right font and size. Select the “Times New Roman” option, and make sure the font size is 12. If you change the font size for the entire document, it can throw off the spacing of the rest of the article, so make sure you do not change the entirety of your document unless you want to.
3. Add the Works Cited Page
With all of the information added to the header, it is time to add the works cited page. After the final paragraph of the paper, you need to add a page break. That way, you know your work cited page shows up on a separate, new page.
You can add a page break by selecting the “insert” option from the dropdown menu. Then, click on the “break” option and add a page break.
4. Add Your Bibliography Title
You need to make sure that your work cited page has a title. It needs to be centrally aligned, so select the “central align” option at the top of your page in the toolbar. Then, type “worked cited” to add the title to your page.
5. Add Your List of Sources
Now, it is time for you to follow the proper citation format. For example, if you follow the MLA style guide, it is time to incorporate that format here. Keep in mind that the format of your citations will be different depending on whether you are citing a book, a video, a primary interview, or a website.
You can add a hanging indent to each of your citations by selecting the “format” option from the dropdown menu. Then, click on the “align and indent” option and select the indentation options. You can select a hanging indent from this screen.
6. Use Google To Help You
There is a helpful shortcut in Google Docs that you can use to cite your sources correctly. If you select “tools” and “citations,” you can select “MLA” from the dropdown menu. Then, click “add citation source,” select the source type, and add your details. This is a helpful shortcut that allows Google Docs to cite your sources for you if you do not want to do it manually.
7. Use the Citation Template
In addition to this helpful option, there are plenty of citation templates that you can use. If you click the “file” option and select the “new” option, you will see the templates available.
You can click on the “education” header and select the appropriate template from that screen. Then, all you need to do is alter the template to cite your sources correctly.
You should always check your citation to ensure it is formatted appropriately. Even though this template can make the process faster, you must ensure that the citation shows up correctly. That way, you produce a professional, finished product.
For more help, check out our round-up of the 6 best citation programs!
