how to set up essay on google docs

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How to Use APA Format in Google Docs

Format any academic paper with ease

What Is APA Format?

• Step-by-Step: Use the APA Template in Google Docs
• Use APA Format on Google Docs

Formatting References for APA Style

In-text citations for apa style.

• Frequently Asked Questions

If you use Google Docs for academic writing, then you'll likely need to be familiar with APA format. While you can use a Google Docs template , it also helps to know how to set up APA format in Google Docs manually, too.

Instructions in this article apply to the web version of Google Docs. The steps are the same for all web browsers and operating systems .

Your instructor might have specific requirements, but most papers in APA format should include the following:

• Double-spaced text with no extra spaces between paragraphs.
• Size 12 Times New Roman font, or a similarly legible font.
• One-inch page margins on all sides.
• A header that includes the title of your paper and the page number.
• A title page that includes the title of your paper, your name, and your school's name.
• Body paragraphs begin with a 1/2 inch indent.
• A References page at the end of the paper.
• In-text citations for specific quotes or facts.

The Google Doc APA template includes headings that you may or may not need. For example, your instructor might not require a 'Methodology' or 'Results' section. The American Psychological Association's website has the official guidelines for APA style .

How to Use the APA Template in Google Docs

Google Docs offers several templates that automatically format your documents. To set up the APA template in Google Docs:

Open a new document and select File > New > From template .

The template gallery will open in a separate browser tab. Scroll down to the Education section and select Report APA .

If you need to set up MLA format in Google Docs , there's also a template for that.

A new document will open containing dummy text in APA format. With the proper formatting already in place, you just need to change the words. If there are sections you don't need, delete them.

How to Do APA Format on Google Docs

Since the template can be a little confusing, you should understand how to set up APA style in Google Docs step-by-step. Once you format your paper, you can save it to use as your own personal template for the future:

Change the font to Times New Roman and the font size to 12 .

Google Docs uses 1-inch margins all round by default, so you don't need to change the margins.

Select Insert > Headers & footers > Header .

You can easily change and remove headers on Google Docs at any time.

The font for the header will revert to the default, so change it to  12 point   Times New Roman and type the title of your paper in all caps.

You can use a shortened version of your title if it is particularly long.

Select Insert > Page numbers > Page count .

Move the text cursor to the left side of the page number and press the spacebar or tab key until it is aligned with the top-right margin, then check the box under Different first page .

The text you entered will disappear from the first page, but it will appear on subsequent pages. Type Running head: followed by a space, then type your title in all caps.

Type the number 1 , then move the text cursor to the left side of the page number and press the spacebar or tab key until it is aligned with the top-right margin.

Make sure the font is set to the same font as the rest of your text.

Click or tap anywhere below the header, then select  Format  >  Line Spacing  >  Double .

Alternately, select the  Line spacing  icon in the toolbar at the top of the page and choose  Double .

Press the Enter key until the text cursor is about mid-way down the page and select Center Align .

Type the paper’s full title, your full name, and your school’s name on separate lines.

Select Insert > Break > Page Break to start a new page.

Select Center Align and type Abstract .

Press Enter , select Left Align .

Select Tab to indent, then type your abstract.

Google Doc's default ident of 0.5 inches is appropriate for APA format.

Select Insert > Break > Page Break to start a new page, then press the  Tab  key and begin typing the body of your paper. Begin each new paragraph with an indent.

You can set custom indents in Google Docs using the ruler tool.

When you're finished with the body of your paper, select  Insert  >  Break  >  Page Break  to create a new page for your references.

At the end of your paper, there should be a separate page that begins with the word “References” (without quotation marks) centered below the heading. The appropriate format for each reference depends on the type of source. For instance, use the following format to reference articles found on the web:

• Author last name, first name (year, month day). Title. Publication. URL.

So, an online news article can be referenced as follows:

• Kelion, Leo (2020, May 4). Coronavirus: UK contact-tracing app is ready for Isle of Wight downloads. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52532435 .

Your references should be alphabetized by the author's last name, and each entry needs a hanging indent , which means that every line after the first one is indented.

APA style also requires in-text citations. Follow all facts or quotes with a citation in the format (Author last, publication year, p. #) after the quote or before the sentence's end punction. For example:

• (Atwood, 2019, p. 43)

You can omit the page number if you're referencing an entire work.

The American Psychological Association website has more examples of references in APA style .

Select Insert from the Google Docs menu bar, followed by Table . From the pull-down menu, choose the number of rows and columns for your table (1x1 minimum, 20x20 maximum). Remove all vertical lines in the table by selecting them, then select the Border Color tool and choose a color that matches the table background. Do the same for the horizontal lines, except when those lines are needed for data clarity. Type the number of the table (in bold) above the table, then type the table's title in title case (and in italics) below that. Include any relevant notes below the table.

Change the formatting of citations that have already been written to APA by selecting Tools from the menu bar, followed by Citations . A citation format sidebar will appear on the right side of the screen. Select APA from the drop-down menu to have Google Docs change your citation format accordingly.

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How to write an MLA format paper in Google Docs using a template or other built-in features

• Google Docs has all the features you need to write a paper in MLA format.
• The basics of MLA format include double-spaced lines, one-inch margins, headers on all pages, and more.
• Google Docs also offers an automatic MLA format template, if you don't want to set it up manually.

Anyone who has had to write an English paper has heard of MLA format. MLA — short for Modern Library Association — is a standardized method for writing academic papers. It lays down specific rules for what the page should look like, which font you use, how you cite your sources, and more.

If you're writing a paper in MLA format, consider using Google Docs. It lets you customize your documents in dozens of ways, making it a great choice for MLA writing.

Here's how to set up MLA format in Google Docs, either manually or with a template.

How to set up MLA format in Google Docs

MLA format has a variety of different rules and guidelines. Here are the most important ones, along with tips on how to follow those rules in Google Docs.

• The font needs to be size 12, and written in a "readable" font.

Contrary to popular belief, MLA doesn't require you to use Times New Roman, just a "readable" or "legible" font. That said, Times New Roman is a great choice for this, and comes installed in Google Docs by default. 

You can find it in the font menu at the top of the screen, and you can change the font size with the menu next to it.

• Every page needs to have one-inch margins on all sides.

You probably don't need to worry about this one — new Google Docs documents have one-inch margins by default. 

But if you want to double-check, or if you've been told to not use one-inch margins, you can change the margins using the Page Setup menu or ruler feature .

• All body text needs to be double-spaced.

There's a Line & paragraph spacing menu in the toolbar above your document. Select Double in this menu to turn on double-spacing . If you've already written some text without double-spacing, highlight it before you turn on double-spacing.

• Every page needs a header in the top-right corner with your last name and the current page number.

Google Docs lets you place both headers and footers on any page. You can add automatic page numbers through the Insert menu , and then double-click the headers to type your last name next to them.

Remember that they need to be in the same font and font size as the rest of your paper.

( And if you ever need to remove the header, you can do that quickly too .)

• The paper's title should be centered one line above your first paragraph.

Google Docs has four alignment options, which you can find in the toolbar above your document. Click the second option — Center align — to move your cursor to the center of the screen.

• Your full name, your instructor's name, the name of the class, and the current date should be written in the top-left corner of the first page, each on a separate line.

Left align is the default alignment setting, so you shouldn't have to do anything special to write in the top-left. But if you've changed the alignment, you can change it back using the alignment options in the toolbar.

• Body paragraphs all begin with a half-inch indent.

Google Docs has a feature that lets you automatically indent paragraphs — but it's probably easier to just hit the Tab key on your keyboard at the start of every paragraph.

• Your paper should end with a Works Cited page, and each entry should be written with a hanging indent.

Once you've finished writing your paper and want to move onto the Works Cited, make sure to create a new page . The Works Cited needs to be on its own page (or pages, depending on the length).

The words Works Cited should be centered on the very first line of the page. You can center the words using the alignment options mentioned above.

Finally, list your citations in alphabetical order, and use the ruler to give each one a hanging indent — in other words, every line after the first needs to be indented .

How to use Google Docs' MLA format template

While you can format your paper manually, Google does offer an MLA template. This will let you meet most of the formatting requirements automatically, although you'll likely need to change some of it.

To use this template:

1. Head to the Google Docs homepage and click Template gallery in the top-right.

2. Scroll down the templates page until you reach the Education section. In this section, click MLA [Add-on] .

3. A page will open with a two-page paper already written in fake Lorem Ipsum language. Most of the formatting is there, so you just need to replace the pre-written words with your own.

You can find this template in the mobile app by tapping the plus sign icon in the bottom-right, and then selecting Choose template .

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How to write an APA format paper in Google Docs using a template or other built-in features

William antonelli   .

• You can write an APA formatted paper in Google Docs using its built-in tools or a template.
• The basics of APA 7 format include double-spaced lines, a running header, and a title page — all of which can be done in Google Docs .
• Google Docs' templates page includes pre-made APA 6 and APA 7 documents you can use as well.

While some students write in MLA format, others write in APA format. APA — short for American Psychological Association — is a standardized format for writing academic papers, especially in the fields of sociology, psychology, and other behavioral or social sciences. It has specific rules for what your essays should look like, and how they should be structured.

APA format has changed a few times over the decades (right now we're on APA Seventh Edition, or "APA 7"), but the basics have stayed the same. And no matter which version of APA format you're using, you can set it all up using Google Docs.

Here's how to make an APA essay in Google Docs, either manually or using a template.

Quick tip: This guide focuses on the Google Docs website, not the app. While you can format an APA paper using the app, you'll have a much easier time using the website.

How to set up an APA format paper in Google Docs

Like other style guides, APA format has a variety of rules and standards. Here are the most important guidelines for structuring your paper, along with tips on how to meet those guidelines in Google Docs.

Important: Below are the standard APA 7 rules, but you should always follow your instructor's specific guidelines, even if they differ from the official rules.

• The font needs to be readable and consistent.

APA isn't strict about what font you should use, or even what size it should be. It just needs to be legible, and you need to use the same font throughout your entire paper (with exceptions for figures, computer code, and footnotes). Some common choices are 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Arial, and 11-point Calibri.

You can change your font and font size using the toolbar at the top of the screen. If you're trying to change text that you've already written, just be sure to highlight it first.

• Your entire document needs to have one-inch margins and double-spaced lines.

All Google Docs documents have one-inch margins by default, so you probably don't need to worry about that. If you want to double-check or change them anyway, you can change the margins using the Page Setup menu or ruler feature .

Meanwhile, you can enable double-spacing with the Line & paragraph spacing menu in the toolbar above your document. Highlight all the text in your document, then select Double in this menu to turn on double-spacing .

• Every page needs a header with the paper's title in the top-left, and the page number in the top-right.

Quick tip: If you're writing for a professional context, your header should include a title and page number on every page. If you're a student, you may only need the page number.

Google Docs lets you add headers to any page. You can add automatic page numbers through the Insert menu , and then double-click the header to add your title on the left if needed.

Remember that they need to be the same font and font size as the rest of your paper.

• Your paper needs a title page with your name, paper title in bold, "institutional affiliation," and more.

Probably the most important part of an APA paper is the title page. It needs to include the paper's title in bold, your name, and your "institutional affiliation" — the school or organization that you're writing for. If you're a student, you also need to add the course number and name, your instructor's name, and the due date.

All this information should be centered in the upper-half of the first page. You can find Google Docs' alignment options in the toolbar at the top of the page. Highlight your text and select Center align in this menu to center everything.

Quick tip: If you're writing for a professional context, you'll also need to add an Author Note with your ORCiD link and any conflicts of interest at the bottom of your title page. Consult the APA handbook directly for more guidance.

• Your paper should end with a References page, and each entry should be written with a hanging indent.

The last section of your paper is the References page. Make sure to put it on a new page (or pages, depending on how many you have to cite).

The word "References" should be centered and bolded on the very first line of the page. You can center the words using the alignment options mentioned above, and bold it by clicking the B icon .

List all your references in alphabetical order and use the ruler to give each one a hanging indent — in other words, every line after the first needs to be indented .

Quick tip: APA requires a different style for every citation, depending on what you're referencing. For a full guide on how to write your references, check out the Purdue OWL's guide on how to write a References page .

How to use Google Docs' APA format templates

While you can format your paper manually, Google Docs also offers two different APA templates — one for APA 7, and another for APA 6. These templates will let you meet most of the APA guidelines right away, but you'll probably still need to change some of it.

To use one of these templates:

1. Head to the Google Docs homepage and click Template gallery in the top-right.

2. Scroll down the templates page until you reach the Education section. In this section, click either Report [APA 6th ed] or Report [APA 7th ed] .

3. A page will open with an APA format paper already written in fake Lorem Ipsum language. Most of the formatting is there, so you just need to replace the pre-written words with your own.

You can find these templates in the mobile app by tapping the plus sign icon in the bottom-right, and then selecting Choose template .

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How to Write in the MLA Format With Google Docs

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If writing a paper wasn't complicated enough, you often have to contend with specific formatting requirements. Have you been told that your paper must use the MLA format? Do you have any idea what that means or how to apply it? Don't worry, we're here to help.

We're going to explain what the MLA format is and how to apply it to your documents in Google Docs, both through a template and manual set-up.

What Is the MLA Format?

MLA stands for Modern Language Association. According to the MLA website , it's a group that established itself in 1883 with the aim to "strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature". As part of the group's work, it publishes a style guide that many educational establishments and businesses adhere to.

If you're asked to use the MLA format, you should clarify the specific expectations. Though MLA sell a handbook, your school or organization may have slightly different requirements.

When it comes to setting up a Google Docs document to use the MLA format, these are the key formatting points to account for, as taken from the MLA Handbook :

• A one-inch margin on all sides of the text.
• A readable typeface, between 11 and 13 points in size, where the regular style contrasts clearly with the italic. Times New Roman is a good choice, though not a requirement.
• Double-space the entire document.
• Indent the first line of every paragraph half an inch from the left margin.
• On the right side of the header, enter your surname, followed by a space, and then consecutive page numbers. This should be half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin.
• Also on the first page, beneath the details above, place and center your title. It doesn't need any formatting, like bold or underline.
• Cite your works at the end of the paper on a new page. Title it "Works Cited", centered and an inch from the top of the page. Each entry should be flush with the left margin, with additional lines indented half an inch from the left margin.

How to Apply the MLA Format in Google Docs With a Template

Google Docs offers a range of templates so that you don't have to manually set up common formatting rules. Handily, one such template is for the MLA format. Here's how to use it:

• With a Google Doc document open, go to File > New > From template .
• This opens the template gallery. Scroll down and look for the Education header.
• Click Report MLA . This opens a document in the MLA format, with dummy text for you to replace.
• On the right-hand sidebar, you'll see information about the EasyBib add-on , which is an automatic bibliography citation generator compatible with the template. Click Add to Docs if you want to use it, otherwise dismiss the sidebar with the X in the top-right.

Remember, you may need to follow slightly different MLA rules than what the template provides, so double-check everything is in order before submitting your document.

How to Apply the MLA Format in Google Docs Manually

Alternatively, you can apply the MLA formatting yourself. This is a good option if you have slightly different requirements from what the template offers, or if you want to be completely certain that you've applied all necessary formatting rules.

1. One-Inch Page Margin

Google Docs uses a one-inch margin on all sides of the document by default. However, you can double-check this:

• From the top menu, click File .
• Select Page setup .
• Within Margins , ensure everything is set to 1 . If Google Docs is using centimeters, it should be 2.54 .

2. Readable Typeface

By default, Google Docs uses Arial at size 11. Remember, MLA requires a readable type face, not necessarily Times New Roman at size 12, but many people prefer this. As such, to change the font in Google Docs :

• Click the Font dropdown in the top toolbar and select Times New Roman .
• Click the Font size dropdown in the top toolbar and select 12 .

3. Double-Spacing

To apply double-spacing to all your text:

• Click the Line & paragraph spacing button in the top toolbar. It's to the right of the alignment buttons and to the left of the list buttons.
• Select Double .

4. Page Numbers

You need your surname and page numbers in the right of the header:

• Double-click at the top of the document to edit the header.
• Your header is separate from the rest of your document, so you will need to apply your font face and size again.
• In the top toolbar, click Right align or press Ctrl + Shift + R .
• Type your surname followed by a space.
• From the top menu, go to Insert > Page numbers and select the diagram that shows the page numbers in the top-right.

5. Course Information and Title

The information about yourself, your course, and the title of your document should appear on page one:

• In the body of the document, select Left align from the top toolbar or press Ctrl + Shift + L .
• Type the necessary course details, pressing Enter after each to insert a new line.
• Press Enter after the final detail (usually the date) to insert a line break, then enable Center align from the top toolbar (or press Ctrl + Shift + E ).
• Type your title using title case, remembering to apply no extra formatting.

6. Indent Paragraphs

The first line of every paragraph needs to be indented by half an inch:

• Press Enter to place a line break after your title, if you haven't already, and return to Left align ( Ctrl + Shift + L ).
• From the top toolbar, select Format > Align and indent > Indentation options .
• Use the Special indent dropdown and select First line .
• Input 0.5 inches or 1.27cm.

7. Works Cited

Finally, your list of cited works must be on a new page, with a half-inch indent for overflow lines:

• From the top toolbar, go to Insert > Break > Page break or press Ctrl + Enter .
• Enable Center align from the top toolbar (or press Ctrl + Shift + E ) and type the header Works Cited .
• Return to Left align ( Ctrl + Shift + L ) and enter all your citations.
• Highlight all the citations and, from the top toolbar, select Format > Align and indent > Indentation options .
• Use the Special indent dropdown and select Hanging .

Turn In Your MLA Formatted Paper With Confidence

Now that you've applied all the necessary formatting, the only thing left to do is write. Google Docs saves automatically, so you don't need to worry about losing your work. Just remember to keep track of everything that you want to cite at the end. Good luck on your paper!

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How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Do you need to format your document in MLA style on Google Docs? It’s simpler than you might think! In this article, we’ll walk you through the process step by step, so you can confidently format your paper to meet MLA guidelines.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs

Before we dive into the steps, let’s clarify what we’re aiming for. MLA format is a style guide commonly used for academic papers. By following the steps below, you’ll be able to set up your document with the correct margins, header, and font settings that MLA requires.

Step 1: Set the Margins

Go to the “File” menu, select “Page setup,” and set all margins to 1 inch.

MLA format requires 1-inch margins on all sides of the document. This standard ensures consistency and readability across all MLA-style papers.

Step 2: Choose the Correct Font and Size

Click the “Font” drop-down menu and select “Times New Roman,” then choose “12” for the font size.

Times New Roman in 12-point font is the standard choice for MLA papers because it’s easy to read and widely available on all word processing programs.

Step 3: Double-Space Your Document

Click on the “Line spacing” icon and select “Double.”

Double spacing is another MLA requirement. It improves readability and provides space for comments and edits when reviewing the paper.

Step 4: Create a Header with Your Last Name and Page Number

Click “Insert,” then “Header & page number,” and choose “Header.” Add your last name, a space, and then click “Insert” again to add the page number.

The header on each page of an MLA-formatted document should include the author’s last name and the page number in the top right corner. This helps keep pages in order if they become separated.

Step 5: Title and Heading

Center your title on the first line of the document. On separate lines, left-align your name, your instructor’s name, the course title, and the date.

The heading should be double-spaced and placed before the start of your text. It provides essential information about who wrote the paper, for which class, and when.

After completing these steps, your document will be properly formatted according to MLA guidelines. This helps maintain a professional and uniform look across academic papers.

Tips: Navigating MLA Format on Google Docs

• Always double-check the latest MLA guidelines, as they can be updated.
• Use the “Tab” key for indents rather than the space bar to ensure proper spacing.
• Remember to italicize the titles of longer works like books and movies.
• Double-space between the title and the first line of the text.
• When citing sources, use the “Cite” feature under “Tools” to keep track of your references.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mla format.

MLA format is a style guide used for writing papers and citing sources within the liberal arts and humanities.

Why should I use MLA format?

Using MLA format provides a consistent structure for your paper, which is essential for both readability and credibility in academic writing.

Can I use other fonts besides Times New Roman?

While Times New Roman is the standard font for MLA, other readable fonts like Arial or Calibri can be used as long as they are size 12.

How do I cite sources in MLA format?

Citations in MLA format include the author’s name and the page number in parentheses for in-text citations, and a “Works Cited” page at the end of the document for full references.

Does Google Docs save my formatting changes?

Yes, Google Docs automatically saves your changes as you work, including formatting changes.

• Set all margins to 1 inch.
• Use Times New Roman font size 12.
• Double-space the entire document.
• Create a header with your last name and page number.
• Place a properly formatted heading and title before the text.

In the digital age, formatting academic papers has become a breeze thanks to word processing programs like Google Docs. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can easily apply MLA format to your document, ensuring that your paper meets the high standards of academic writing. Remember, while the steps may seem tedious at first, they are crucial for creating a professional and consistent appearance in your paper. Furthermore, mastering MLA format on Google Docs not only helps you with current assignments but also prepares you for future writing endeavors. So go ahead, give it a try, and see how straightforward it is to do MLA format on Google Docs.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

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How to Style Your Paper with APA Format in Google Docs

• Last updated August 15, 2024

If you’re a student or working in the academic field, you’re probably somewhat familiar with the APA format. However, formatting your paper according to APA guidelines can be daunting, especially if you’re using a tool like Google Docs.

But fear not! In this article, we’ll teach you how to use APA format in Google Docs and access its built-in APA templates to save you time and effort in the long run.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

What Is APA Format?

APA stands for American Psychological Association. From its name, it’s easy to guess that this style has become the standard for many disciplines, including psychology, education, and social sciences.

The APA Style  is a standard format used in essays, research, and other forms of academic writing.

How to Set Up APA Format in Google Docs

Before starting the writing process, it’s essential to customize the appearance of your document. This ensures that every important section in an APA-style paper is present. As of writing, APA is in its seventh edition  (APA 7). Therefore, we’ll use this version in the following guide.

Here’s how to do APA format in Google Docs.

Step 1: Configure Margin Settings

By default, a new document in Google Docs has one-inch margins on all sides. If you’ve changed your default settings at some point in the past, you’ll need to modify them for APA.

• Go to “File,” then select  “Page setup.”

• Ensure that all margins are set at 1 inch  (or in the margin size specified by your instructor).
• Click  “OK”  when done.

Step 2: Add Page Headers

• In the drop-down menu bar, select “ I nsert” > “Headers & footers” > “Header.”

• If you’re writing the paper for professional use, type the title in all caps (as a running head ). If not, skip step three.
• Highlight the page header and select  “Times New Roman,”  size 12 as the font.

• Under the Header menu, click on the “Options”  drop-down and choose “Page numbers.”

• Ensure that the value in the “Start at”  field is 1. Click on the “Apply”  button to insert the pagination.

• Place your cursor at the immediate left of the page number. Press the  “Tab”  key and/or the spacebar on your keyboard to flush the page number to the right.

Step 3: Set up the APA Format for Title Page in Google Docs

• Click on any part of your document.
• Change the font style by clicking on the “Font”  drop-down menu and selecting “Times New Roman.”

• Adjust the font size to 12 using the “Font size”  option in the Google Docs toolbar.

• Click on the “Line & paragraph spacing”  button (denoted by an up-down arrow with three horizontal lines). Select  “Double.”

• Press the  “Enter” or  “Return”  key on your keyboard three to four times.
• Click on “Align” > “Center align”  in the toolbar to flush the text to the middle of the page.

• Type your paper title and make it bold by pressing  “Ctrl” + “B”  (or “Cmd” + “B”  for Mac) on your keyboard.

• Alternatively, highlight the title and click the  “B” (Bold) button on the toolbar at the top.

• Add a new line, then type the name of the author(s) below it.
• For students : Author’s school, course number and name, name of the instructor, and assignment due date.
• For professionals : Author’s affiliation (where the research was conducted), notes from the author, and ORCiD link .

• To start a new page, select  “Insert” > “Break” > “Page break.”

Step 4: Insert an Abstract Page

An abstract page presents the overall gist of your paper. It contains both the summary and a list of keywords related to your topic. Note that this is only important for professional papers.

To insert an abstract page, simply follow the steps below.

• On a new page after the title page, type “Abstract”  and select  “Align” > “Center align”  in the toolbar.

• Make it bold by pressing “Ctrl” + “B”  (or  “Cmd” + “B”  for Mac).
• Press “Enter”  to start a new line.
• Enable  “Left align”  and begin typing your abstract.

Step 5: Type the Full Paper Title & Start Writing

Having laid out the basic formatting of your paper, you can now begin writing your content. On the first line of a new page, you’ll have to enter the full title of your work. This should be bolded, centered, and using an APA-style title case .

When it comes to the body of your paper or dissertation, there are a few more elements to remember.

Apply the Correct Paragraph Format

When using the APA style, your paragraphs should be aligned to the left margin. Each paragraph should also start with a 0.5-inch indentation . In Google Docs, pressing the “Tab”  key on your keyboard should produce a half-inch indentation by default.

If you’re citing original text from another source with more than 40 words, you should use a “block quotation.”  This means the whole block or paragraph is indented ½ inch to the right (but remains left-aligned).

Related : Easily Insert a Google Sheet Into Google Docs [2023 Guide]

Use In-Text Citations Properly

When getting information from other references, make sure to use in-text citations. You can do this in two ways:

• (Author’s surname, publication year, and page number): This is called a parenthetical citation . You can insert it right after a quote or at the end of a sentence. The page number is important if you’re citing specific lines from another source. But you can remove it if you’re citing the summary of an entire paper.

• [Author] reported that…(Publication year): This is called a narrative citation . Here, the surname of the author is part of the paragraph itself. You only need to enclose the publication year in parentheses.

How to Format References for APA Style

You have to give credit to every source used in your APA research and paper. This allows your instructor or reader to verify whether certain information in your work is true. Therefore, you must have a References page at the end of your document.

Here’s how to set it up.

• On a new page, type the word  “References”  on the first line.
• Put it in center alignment and make it bold.

• Start a new line and input the correct format for your source type .
• After listing your references, alphabetize them based on the surnames of the authors.
• Highlight your reference list.
• Go to “Format” > “Align & indent” > “Indentation options.”

• Under “Special indent,”  select “Hanging” from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the  “Apply” button.

How to Use the APA Google Docs Templates

Given the common use of the APA format in academia, it’s common to find templates designed for it. Google Docs itself offers two variants: APA 6th Ed.  and APA 7th Ed.  (the latest edition).

Here’s how you can set them up for your use.

• Launch your browser and go to the Google Docs homepage .
• Click on “Template Gallery.”

• Under the  “Education”  category, select “Report”  with the words “APA 6th Ed.”  or “APA 7th Ed.”  below it (depending on what your instructor requires).

You can also access the templates from a blank document you created. To do this, click on “File” > “New” > “From template.”  This will redirect you to the same Template Gallery. Select any of the two APA formats to proceed.

Doing the steps above would open an APA format template in Google Docs. All you have to do is insert your content.

It’s important to note that APA formatting for professional and student papers differs slightly. This is noticeable, especially when making the APA cover page in Google Docs . These templates have parentheses that say “for professional papers”  and “for student papers.” Select what applies to you and delete the other unnecessary parts of the template.

Get Even More APA  Format Tips and Templates!

By following this guide to using APA format in Google Docs, you’ll ensure that papers meet your educational institution’s formatting requirements (while giving your work a professional and polished look).

Need more assistance with APA? Not to worry: Udemy’s got plenty of APA formatting courses  to give you a leg-up!

Looking for powerful templates to improve your work output? You can find them on our Gumroad page ! Check out our huge list of templates and get 50% off by using the code “SSP .”

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MLA Format 8th Edition: Formatting the Paper

• Basic Elements of the MLA Citation
• Formatting the Paper
• In-Text Citations
• Works Cited
• Annotated Bibliography

Rules for Formatting the Paper

Unless you are told otherwise by your instructor, format your paper according to the following MLA Style rules:

• Double-spaced text
• No extra space between paragraphs
• 12 point Times New Roman font
• 1" margins top, bottom, left, right
• Indent first line of each paragraph by 1/2"

Video on MLA Format

More Detail on Formatting

• MLA Paper Formatting More detailed formatting information from MLA can be found here.

Sample Papers

• MLA Sample Papers MLA 8 sample papers are here.

Microsoft Word Settings for Formatting the Paper

Setting Up Software for MLA, Word 2003 through Word 365

Knowing proper MLA formatting for your paper is one thing; knowing how to get your version of software to comply is another. Check this link for tips, since the settings vary depending upon the Word version you are using. (from academictips.org)

Google Docs Template for Formatting the Paper

Using a Google Template:

• In the newly opened window, you will see many professional templates.
• Scroll all the way down
• Under the Education category, click on the template that says “ Report MLA ”
• The template will be copied to your Google Drive and you are ready to type your essay.
• Ignore the formatting of the Works Cited page, because it is not using the updated 8 th edition of MLA.

from academictips.org

Video: Setting up Hanging Indent in Google Doc

Formatting Other Software for MLA

• MLA Format for Other Software Not using MS Word or Google Docs? Check here for instructions on how to set up MLA format in OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Pages in Mac OS X, NeoOffice, Nisus Writer Pro, Corel WordPerfect, or AbiWord.
• << Previous: Basic Elements of the MLA Citation
• Next: In-Text Citations >>
• Last Updated: Aug 6, 2024 2:20 PM
• URL: https://libguides.cuesta.edu/MLA8th

Technize supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more .

How to set up an APA format of an essay in Google Docs

Students have to deal with hundreds of writing assignments during their academic path. Such papers aim to develop undergraduates’ critical thinking, writing, formatting, and structuring abilities. Indeed, every essay has to be written according to a specific format and structure. Depending on your major, you may need to follow different formatting styles. The most prominent and used ones are MLA (Modern Language Association), Chicago, and APA (American Psychological Association). If you use Google Docs, you can find some templates to use there. However, if you want to manually set up this format, you are most welcome to read this article.

Table of Contents

APA format: Definition, Rules, and Purpose

As we already know, APA stands for American Psychological Association. It is mostly used by scholars who study Social Sciences, such as Linguistics, Criminology, Sociology, Economics, etc. Indeed, it has established rules regarding font, title, and a reference page. Even though professors may require sticking to different instructions, a standard APA paper has the following attributes:

• Double-spaced text without spaces between paragraphs
• The text follows 12 Times New Roman font (it can be replaced by any other font, such as Arial; however, Times New Roman is hardly ever replaced by other fonts)
• One-inch page margins all over the paper
• A header that includes your paper’s title and page number
• The first page, also known as the title page, comprises your credentials, the topic, and affiliation you belong to
• Body paragraphs are indented with a ½ inch
• In-text citations for direct quotes or paraphrased sentences
• The last page is called References in the APA format, where you include your sources used

Note that the default template placed in Google Docs includes units that can be redundant for your piece. That is, you may not need such sections as Methodology or Results. Either way, you are free to go to the official APA page and find out what you need.

Using The APA Template In Google Docs

In case you want to use a standard APA format in Google Docs, you have to go to Files — New — From template. When you do this, you will be redirected to a new tab where you will find the bulk of different templates. Go a little bit down, and you will see an Education section. Select an APA format, and voila.

The document will have some text just to show you how the paper should look. Some essays don’t need to have specific chapters. You are free to delete them when using this template.

How To Set Up The APA Format In Google Docs

Many people encounter problems with Google Docs. Which may have them switch to another alternative . The reason is they can’t see any templates. When using Templates , they are redirected to the page with their previously written documents. Suppose you face the same issue, no need to worry. You can create a document on your own, and we will gladly help you with that:

• Undoubtedly, a default Arial is a real pain in the neck. You always have to change it before writing an academic paper. Change it to Times New Roman 12.
• Then click Insert on the left top — Headers and footers — Header (or you can simply press Ctrl+Alt+O or Ctrl+Alt+H ).
• Again, when filling out the header, you have to change its font from Arial 11 to Times New Roman 12. Remember to write it in CAPS.
• The next thing you have to do is to set up page numbers. Go to Insert — Page numbers — Page number .
• You have to align the page number with the top-right margin. You can do that by clicking the tab or spacebar. And don’t forget to click Different first page. Your title page doesn’t have to be indicated by a page number. Don’t worry, though, as the page number will appear on subsequent pages.
• Besides, type “Running head:” before the title. Make sure the following pages have numbers and are aligned with the top-right margin.
• Click anywhere on the paper and choose Format — Line — Spacing — Double. Please note that your professor may require you to follow single line spacing. Clarify which spacing you have to stick to.
• On the title page, make sure your indicator is about mid-way down the page. Select Center Align.
• Type the document’s full title, your first and second name, and the institutional affiliation. You must write every item on separate lines.
• Finally, choose Select — Break — Page Break to start a new page.
• Again, pick Center Align and type Abstract. Alternatively, you can Align your text and line space in the toolbar at the top right of Google Docs.
• Once you do that, press Enter and select Left Align .
• Press Tab to indent the text and start a new paragraph.
• Since the Abstract has to be written on a separate page, press Enter + Ctrl to start a new one. Plus, press Tab to indicate the beginning of the paragraph.
• Repeat that when finishing your paper with a Reference page.

How To Handle Referencing in APA

Each and every academic paper needs to have credible sources to support the student’s arguments. Regardless of the formatting style, you have to give credits to academicians you refer to. To do that, you have to create a page called References. Your sources must be alphabetized by the scholar’s last name. Besides, every second line of the same reference must be indented. For example:

Gore, A. (2006). An inconvenient truth: The planetary emergency of global warming and what

we can do about it. Emmaus, PA: Rodale.

Michaels, P. J., & Balling, R. C., Jr. (2000). The satanic gases: Clearing the air about global

warming. Washington, DC: Cato Institute.

Begley, S., & Murr, A. (2007, July 2). Which of these is not causing global warming? A. Sport

utility vehicles; B. Rice fields; C. Increased solar output. Newsweek, 150(2), 48-50.

How To Give Credits In Text In APA

When writing essays using APA, you also need to know how to make in-text citations. APA requires mentioning the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you insert direct quotes, you must include the page number, as well. The citation itself has to be at the end of a sentence, followed by a period. The following are in-text citations for various textual or statistical evidence:

Paying no attention to global warming, people jeopardize our future, which, in turn, may not occur (Gore, 2006).

It is not clear to what extent specimens as tools to document phonological changes can help people slow down severe effects caused by global warming (Miller-Rushing, Primack, Primack, & Mukunda, 2006, p. 1671)

Recapitulation

Writing academic essays may seem easy at first glance. Knowing a structure, you can complete the paper promptly and submit it to the teacher. But, be that as it may, the professor will likely put an unsatisfactory grade. This may occur because of the improper formatting style.

The mentioned guide goes through the most crucial aspects you have to meet to write an academic piece. Following this guideline, you will spend less time creating headers, indenting texts, and writing citations. Employ this guide daily to make your writing abilities and productivity skyrocket.

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Question: How do I format a Google Doc in APA Style (7th ed)?

• 11 Circulation Policy
• 11 General information
• 5 Library Conduct
• 38 Reference
• 43 Technology

Answered By: Norma Drepaul Last Updated: Dec 11, 2020     Views: 73761

Start the document.

Note* Google Docs works best when using Google Chrome as an internet browser.

• Go to Google.com:  https://www.google.com/
• Sign  in to your Google account (the same username and password that you use for Gmail)
• Click on the  Google Apps  button
• Scroll down and select  Docs
• Click on  Blank  to start a document from scratch
• Click on  Untitled Document  to enter a title for this document.  This will make it easy for you to find it in the future.  

The default should already be set to one-inch all around, but it is always a good idea to double-check. 

• Go to the  File  menu
• Click on  Page setup
• Make sure that all the margins are set up correctly to one inch from top, bottom, left, and right. 

Line Spacing

Line Spacing needs to be set up to double, this means that there is a blank line between each line of text in your essay. 

• Click on  Double

APA guidelines call for the font to be accessible to all users, so check with your professor for their preferences.   APA changed their recommendations and added additional font options: 11 point Calibri, Arial or Georgia, or 12 point Times New Roman

Font name should be set to "times new roman," and the font size should be "12" for most academic work unless your professor indicates anything different..

• From the toolbar, click on the  Font  menu and select  Times New Roman .
• From the toolbar, click on the  Font Size  menu and select  12 .

Header and Page Numbering

Most academic work, unless your professor indicates anything different, requires you to add the page number onto the header of every page, and align it to the right.  google docs can configure the page numbers for you..

• From the Menu bar, click on the  Insert  tab.
• Click on  Page numbers
• Select the button that shows all pages to be numbered, and aligned to the top right of the page.  
• highlight and select the page number,
• then go to the Font and Font Size buttons to select the appropriate options
• Press the Esc key, or click outside of the header to go back to the body of your document

Occasionally, when students copy and paste an essay from another application (Microsoft Word, or others), the header margins are not what they are supposed to be, and Google Docs places the header either too high or too low.  To make the corrections:

• Go to the header of the page by double-clicking on the header area (by your last name and page number)
• Click on  Options
• Click on  Header format
• Under Margins, look for Header and set the inches from top to  0.5
• Click on  Apply.

The APA 7th edition now provides specific guidelines for the title page on a student paper.  A student paper title page should include the following elements: title of your essay, your name, course number and name, instructor name, and assignment due date. Students should follow the guidelines from their instructors or institution when determining which title page format is most appropriate to use. For more details on setting up the title page see:  APA: Student title page .

No longer required for students papers, unless it is requested by the instructor:

• no running head
• no author note
• no abstract

After you set the font, line spacing, page header, and press the sec key on your keyboard or click outside of the header to exit it and to set up your title page:   

• Press the Enter key on your keyboard three times to move the cursor down the page 
• From the toolbar, click on the  Center  align button
• From the toolbar, click on B  for Bold button on the toolbar (to turn on the bold font tool)
• Note* Titles should be no more than 12 words and must be clear, concise, and summarize the main idea of your paper.
• Press the enter key on your keyboard twice
• From the toolbar, click on B to un-bold the rest of the text from the title page
• Type your first and last name, press enter
• Type the college name followed by any other requirements from your professor, these could be the professor’s name, course name, date, etc
• After you complete all the required elements for your title page, add a page break.

After the title page elements have been entered, add a page break to start on the second page.  

• From the Menu bar, click on the  Insert  tab
• Click on  Break
• Click on  Page break  (or you can just use your keyboard and press the control and enter keys at the same time)

Begin your Essay

After you have completed your title page and added a page break, you are ready to begin with page two.  

• On the first line on page two, make sure to activate the B for bold and the Center alignment
• Make sure that the title is in bold, centered, and all major words are capitalized
• Press the enter key and then toggle off the B old and the C enter align  buttons
• Press the tab key (on your keyboard) to indent your first paragraph, and start typing your essay

Follow your professor's instructions, and remember to indent each paragraph within your essay, unless indicated otherwise.  From here on, you just type your paper.  There is nothing different in the rest of the pages (unless you have to include headings and subheadings throughout your essay, check with your professor) until you get to the References page.  You do not have to worry about the right margin, Google Docs, like Microsoft Word, has a function called word-wrap that automatically moves your content to the next line when you reach the right margin.   

References List and Hanging Indents

After you complete your essay, the last part is where you list all of your sources into a References page. 

The References section needs to start on a separate page in the same document.  After you type the last paragraph, place a page break by pressing the control and enter keys on your keyboard at the same time, or by going to the Insert tab from the menu bar, click on Break, then click on Page break.  (Illustration on  how to insert a page break is listed above)

After you have added a new page, as per instructions above, then you are going to title this page with the word: References

This needs to be centered, in bold, and you must use the same font and the same font size from your essay.  

• From the toolbar, press the  Center align  and the Bold buttons 
• Enter: References
• Then press the enter key to move the cursor to the next line
• Press the Left align  button to move the cursor to the left menu, and click on the Bold button to toggle off the bold function (the rest of the text in the citations are not in bold)

After you have pressed the enter key, now is time to start listing all of the sources that you used according to APA style. 

Each entry needs to:

• follow the guidelines from APA
• be listed in alphabetical order
• have a hanging indentation

To manually enter all of your citations, first set up the hanging indentation option: 

From the Menu bar, click on the  Format  tab

Click on A lign & Indent  menu

Click on  Indentation options

Under Special indent, select  Hanging  from the drop-down menu, and make sure that it is set to  0.5

Click on  Apply

Instead of manually entering your citations, you can use a citation generator to create the citation.

• Once the generator has created the citation, you can copy it, then go to your Google Doc and paste the citations into your References page. 
• make sure that all the formatting is correct like the font and font size
• make sure that each citation has hanging indents. 
• If you need to make any changes to the citations that you just pasted, then highlight them all, then use the tools from Google Docs to make the changes, such as changing the font to "Times New Roman" and the font size to "12", and add the hanging indentations by following the instructions above.  

Many times, when you copy a citation from a generator, it brings unnecessary formatting such as strange fonts, or backgrounds from different colors.  If you use the citation generator from EBSCO databases, many times a gray background also follows the citation. 

To remove the gray background:

• Highlight all the citations that need to be fixed by using the mouse 
• From the toolbar, click on the  Highlight color  button
• Click on  None

If the links turn into active hyperlinks with blue font and become underlined, this is not a problem, but you can change the color back to black and remove the underline. 

While you still have the citations selected:

• Click on the U for Underline to remove the underline
• Click on the A for font Text color
• Select black

Your References List 

Explore some of the tools from Google Docs to help you create a better document, these can be found in the Tools bar:

• Use the spelling and grammar tool to help you catch errors. 
• Use the Word Count tool if you need to provide that information to your professor.
• If you are using Google Docs with Google Chrome, you can also dictate text in addition to typing.

Sharing Your Document

• You can create a link for your Google Doc to share with your professor or download it as different file types (Word, PDF, and more) to submit on Canvas.  
• Check with your professor to see how they would like your essay to be submitted.

Go to the File tab to see different download and print options:

• Click on the  Share  button
• To get a link that anybody can open in your class, under the "Get Link" section, click on the " Change with anyone with the link "
• Click on  Copy link
• Then you can go to Canvas or send your professor or classmates the link to your essay.  Be sure to follow instructions from your professor.

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