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Academic Writing Basics

How to Reference in Microsoft Word

Step-by-step video tutorial with examples

By Derek Jansen (MBA) · Reviewed by Eunice Rautenbach (DTech)

Updated

Pick your reference style

  • APA Social sciences

    Jansen, D. (2024). How to Reference in Microsoft Word. Grad Coach. https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/

  • MLA Humanities

    Jansen, Derek. "How to Reference in Microsoft Word." Grad Coach, Mar. 1, 2024, https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

  • Chicago History and arts

    Jansen, Derek. "How to Reference in Microsoft Word." Grad Coach. March 1, 2024. https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/.

  • Harvard Author–date, general use

    Jansen, D. (2024) 'How to Reference in Microsoft Word', Grad Coach. Available at: https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/ (Accessed: 25 August 2026).

  • Vancouver Medicine and science

    Jansen D. How to Reference in Microsoft Word [Internet]. Grad Coach; 2024 [cited 2026 Aug 25]. Available from: https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/

  • IEEE Engineering and tech

    D. Jansen, "How to Reference in Microsoft Word," Grad Coach, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/. [Accessed: Aug. 25, 2026].

In this video tutorial, you’ll learn how to use Microsoft Word’s referencing function for in-text citations and bibliographies. We’ll cover selecting citation styles, adding sources, using placeholders, creating reference lists or bibliographies, and managing sources through Word’s Source Manager. We also discuss some free alternative reference managers like Mendeley and Zotero for more style options and flexibility.

Overview & timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Microsoft Word’s Referencing Function
01:00 Understanding the Reference Management Functionality
01:25 Setting the Citation Style
01:57 Adding and Editing Citations
03:55 Using Placeholders in Citations
04:28 Creating a Reference List or Bibliography
05:35 Understanding the Source Manager
07:07 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Key resources

Pick your reference style

  • APA Social sciences

    Jansen, D. (2024). How to Reference in Microsoft Word. Grad Coach. https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/

  • MLA Humanities

    Jansen, Derek. "How to Reference in Microsoft Word." Grad Coach, Mar. 1, 2024, https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

  • Chicago History and arts

    Jansen, Derek. "How to Reference in Microsoft Word." Grad Coach. March 1, 2024. https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/.

  • Harvard Author–date, general use

    Jansen, D. (2024) 'How to Reference in Microsoft Word', Grad Coach. Available at: https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/ (Accessed: 25 August 2026).

  • Vancouver Medicine and science

    Jansen D. How to Reference in Microsoft Word [Internet]. Grad Coach; 2024 [cited 2026 Aug 25]. Available from: https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/

  • IEEE Engineering and tech

    D. Jansen, "How to Reference in Microsoft Word," Grad Coach, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://gradcoach.com/referencing-in-word/. [Accessed: Aug. 25, 2026].

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