essay on google docs

• Shop Now: Amazon Labor Day Tech Sale
• Get These 12 Student Discounts!

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.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Add Footnotes in Google Docs
• How to Indent on Google Docs
• How to Upload Word Documents to Google Docs
• How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs
• How to Double Space on Google Docs
• How to Change the Default Formatting Settings in Google Docs
• How to Make Google Docs Landscape
• How to Convert a PDF to Google Doc Format
• How to Superscript and Subscript in Google Docs
• How to Do a Block Quote in Google Docs
• How to Strikethrough on Google Docs
• How to Convert a Google Doc to PDF
• How to Make a Table of Contents in Google Docs
• How to Remove Header in Google Docs
• Google Docs vs Word: Which Option Is Best for You?
• What Is Google Docs?

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 .

• Main content

Cloud Storage

Custom Business Email

Video and voice conferencing

Shared Calendars

Word Processing

Spreadsheets

Presentation Builder

Survey builder

Google Workspace

An integrated suit of secure, cloud-native collaboration and productivity apps powered by Google AI.

Build your best ideas together, in Google Docs

Create and collaborate on online documents in real-time and from any device.

• For my personal use
• For work or my business

Seamless collaboration, from anywhere

Edit together in real-time with easy sharing, and use comments, suggestions, and action items to keep things moving. Or use @-mentions to pull relevant people, files, and events into your online Docs for rich collaboration.

Write faster with built-in intelligence

Assistive features like Smart Compose help you write faster with fewer errors, so you can focus on ideas. And save time with spelling and grammar suggestions, voice typing, and quick document translation.

Seamlessly connect to your other Google apps

Docs is thoughtfully connected to other Google apps you love, saving you time. Reply to comments directly from Gmail, embed charts from Google Sheets, and easily share via Google Meet. You can even search the web and Google Drive for relevant content and images, directly from Docs.

Bring collaboration and intelligence to other file types

Easily edit Microsoft Word files online without converting them, and layer on Docs’ enhanced collaborative and assistive features like action items and Smart Compose. You can also import PDFs, making them instantly editable.

Do more with add-ons

Access a variety of third-party applications, right from Docs. Whether it’s an e-signature app or project management tool, open it from Docs to work faster.

Work on fresh content

With Docs, everyone’s working on the latest version of a document. And with edits automatically saved in version history, it’s easy to track or undo changes.

Stay productive, even offline

You can access, create, and edit Docs even without an internet connection, helping you stay productive from anywhere.

Security, compliance, and privacy

Secure by default

We use industry-leading security measures to keep your data safe, including advanced malware protections. Docs is also cloud-native, eliminating the need for local files and minimizing risk to your devices.

Encryption in transit and at rest

All files uploaded to Google Drive or created in Docs are encrypted in transit and at rest.

Compliance to support regulatory requirements

Our products, including Docs, regularly undergo independent verification of their security, privacy, and compliance controls .

Private by design

Docs adheres to the same robust privacy commitments and data protections as the rest of Google Cloud’s enterprise services .

You control your data.

We never use your docs content for ad purposes., we never sell your personal information to third parties., find the plan that’s right for you, google docs is a part of google workspace.

Every plan includes

Collaborate from anywhere, on any device

Access, create, and edit your documents wherever you are — from any mobile device, tablet, or computer — even when offline.

Get a head start with templates

Choose from a variety of dashboards, project trackers, and other professionally-designed templates to kick things off quickly..

Visit the Docs Template Gallery for more.

Ready to get started?

• Help Center
• Google Docs Editors
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Submit feedback

Write with AI in Google Docs (Workspace Labs)

On Google Docs, you can use the “Help me write” prompt to suggest text using artificial intelligence. You can use the prompt to:

• Write new text. For example, you can ask Google Docs to draft a letter or a social media caption.
• Rewrite existing text. For example, you can rephrase text, or you can make it more formal, more concise, or more detailed.

This feature is currently available on desktop.

Use AI to write something new

• On your computer, open a document on Google Docs .
• In the document, click where you want to write.
• “Write a poem about the life of a 6 year old boy”
• “How-to guide for operating a lawn mower”
• “Thank you letter after an interview"
• Click Create .

• Edit your prompt: At the top of the pop-up window, click the prompt. Edit your prompt and click Update .
• Tone: Select Forma l or Casual
• Summarize: Gives the key points of the text
• Bulletize: Formats the text into a bulleted list
• Elaborate: Adds details to build upon the text
• Shorten: Makes the text more concise
• Important : After creating a new version, you can’t go back to the previous version.
• When you’re finished, click Insert.

Use AI to rewrite existing text

• Select the text you want to rewrite.
• Rephrase: Rewords the text
• Custom: You can also write your own prompt to refine the text.
• Continue refining the suggested text: Click Refine and repeat step 4.

• Important: After creating a new version, you can’t go back to the previous generated version.
• Click Replace to accept the new text.
• Click Insert to add the new text under the existing text.

Give feedback on generated text

Gemini for Google Workspace is constantly learning and may not be able to support your request.

If you get a suggestion that’s inaccurate or that you feel is unsafe, you can let us know by submitting feedback. Your feedback can help improve AI-assisted Workspace features and broader Google efforts in AI. 

• Optional: To review data that will be attached with your feedback, at the bottom, select What data will be attached?  If you don’t want to include the data with your feedback, uncheck Attach collected data to your feedback to help us improve the product experience .
• Select Next .
• Review additional context that you can share with your feedback. If you don’t want to include the additional context with your feedback, uncheck Additional context (content referenced to create outputs) .
• Select Submit.

To report a legal issue, create a request .

Turn off the “Help me write” prompt

To turn off any of the features on Google Workspace Labs, you must exit Workspace Labs. If you exit, you will permanently lose access to all Workspace Labs features , and you won’t be able to rejoin Workspace Labs. Learn more about how to exit Workspace Labs .

Learn about Workspace Labs feature suggestions

• Workspace Labs feature suggestions don’t represent Google’s views, and should not be attributed to Google.
• Don’t rely on Workspace Labs features as medical, legal, financial or other professional advice.
• Workspace Labs features may suggest inaccurate or inappropriate information. Your feedback makes Workspace Labs more helpful and safe.
• Don’t include personal, confidential, or sensitive information in your prompts.
• Google uses Workspace Labs data and metrics to provide, improve, and develop products, services, and machine learning technologies across Google.
• Your Workspace Labs Data may also be read, rated, annotated, and reviewed by human reviewers. Importantly, where Google uses Google-selected input (as described in the Privacy Notice) to generate output, Google will aggregate and/or pseudonymize that content and resulting output before it is viewed by human reviewers, unless it is specifically provided as part of your feedback to Google.

You can review the Google Workspace Labs Privacy Notice and Terms for Personal Accounts .

How Workspace Labs data in Google Docs is collected

When you use the “Help me write (Labs)” prompt in Google Docs, Google uses and stores the following data:

• Prompts you enter or select
• Text you select to rewrite
• Generated text
• Document content that is referenced to generate text
• Your feedback on generated text

Related resources

• Get started with Google Workspace Labs
• Collaborate with Gemini in Google Docs
• Google Workspace Labs Privacy Notice and Terms for Personal Accounts

Need more help?

Try these next steps:.

Using Google products, like Google Docs, at work or school? Try powerful tips, tutorials, and templates. Learn to work on Office files without installing Office, create dynamic project plans and team calendars, auto-organize your inbox, and more.

How to Add a Cover Page in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding a cover page to your Google Docs can really give it that polished, professional look you’re aiming for. It’s a simple process that can make a world of difference to your document. Whether you’re writing an essay, creating a report, or putting together a proposal, a cover page can help you make a great first impression. So, let’s dive in and learn how to add a cover page in Google Docs.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Add a Cover Page in Google Docs

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand what these steps will achieve. By following the steps outlined below, you will be able to insert a cover page that complements the content of your document and enhances its overall look.

Step 1: Open your document in Google Docs

First and foremost, you need to have your document open in Google Docs. If you haven’t already created one, now’s the time to do so.

Once you have your document open, you’re ready to start the process of adding a cover page. Remember, the cover page will be the first thing your readers see, so you’ll want to make sure it’s relevant to the content of your document.

Step 2: Go to the ‘Insert’ menu

Look at the top of your Google Docs interface. You’ll see a menu bar with various options. Click on ‘Insert’ to proceed to the next step.

The ‘Insert’ menu is where all the magic happens. It’s here that you can add all sorts of additional elements to your document, including images, tables, and, of course, cover pages.

Step 3: Select ‘Cover Page’ from the drop-down menu

After clicking on ‘Insert’, a drop-down menu will appear. Scroll down until you see ‘Cover Page’. Click on it to view the available options.

Google Docs offers a range of pre-designed cover page templates that you can choose from. Whether you want something sleek and simple or more colorful and creative, you’re likely to find a template that suits your needs.

Step 4: Choose a cover page template

Browse through the available cover page templates and select the one you like best. Click on it, and it will be automatically added to the beginning of your document.

Remember to consider the tone and purpose of your document when choosing a cover page template. You want it to reflect the content and audience of your document.

Step 5: Customize your cover page

After inserting the cover page template, you can customize it by adding your own text, images, or changing the font and color scheme.

This is your chance to make the cover page your own. Add the title of your document, your name, the date, and any other relevant information. You can also adjust the design elements to match your personal or brand style.

After completing these steps, your Google Docs document will now have a professional and visually appealing cover page that sets the tone for the rest of your content.

Tips for a Successful Cover Page in Google Docs

• Keep your cover page design consistent with the content and tone of your document.
• Use high-quality images or graphics to make your cover page stand out.
• Make sure the text on your cover page is easy to read and not overcrowded.
• Consider the color scheme of your cover page; it should complement the content, not distract from it.
• Regularly save your document to avoid losing any changes you make to your cover page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use my own images on the cover page.

Yes, you can upload your own images to use on the cover page. Just click on ‘Insert’, select ‘Image’, and choose the image you’d like to upload.

Adding personalized images to your cover page can make it feel more unique and tailored to your specific project or brand.

Can I edit the cover page after I’ve added it to my document?

Absolutely, you can edit the cover page at any time. Just click on the elements you want to change and make your adjustments.

Remember, the cover page is part of your document, so you can continue to tweak it until it’s just right.

Is it possible to remove the cover page if I change my mind?

Yes, if you decide you no longer want a cover page, you can remove it by clicking on the elements of the cover page and pressing the delete key on your keyboard.

Keep in mind that once you delete the cover page, any customization you’ve done will be lost unless you’ve saved it as a template.

Does adding a cover page affect the page numbering in my document?

No, adding a cover page will not affect the page numbering. Google Docs will automatically adjust the numbering to start after the cover page.

If you want the cover page to be included in the numbering, you can manually adjust the settings in the ‘Insert’ menu under ‘Page numbers’.

Can I save my customized cover page as a template for future use?

Yes, you can save your customized cover page as a template. Simply click on ‘File’, go to ‘Save as template’, and give your template a name.

Saving your cover page as a template can be a huge time-saver, especially if you create similar documents regularly.

• Open your document in Google Docs
• Go to the ‘Insert’ menu
• Select ‘Cover Page’ from the drop-down menu
• Choose a cover page template
• Customize your cover page

Well, there you have it, folks – adding a cover page in Google Docs is a breeze once you know the steps. It’s all about finding the right template that resonates with your document’s vibe and then making it your own with some personal touches. The cover page isn’t just a decorative piece; it’s your document’s first impression, a handshake with your reader, so make it count.

With the tips and FAQs we’ve covered, you should feel confident in jazzing up your Google Docs with a snazzy cover page. And remember, the more you practice, the more proficient you’ll become at customizing these templates to suit your needs. So go ahead, give it a try, and watch as your documents transform from mundane to magnificent with just a few clicks. After all, who wouldn’t want their hard work to be wrapped in a cover that’s as impressive as the content within?

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.

Read his full bio here.

Share this:

Join our free newsletter.

Featured guides and deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Related posts:

• How to Insert Text Box in Google Docs
• How to Do a Hanging Indent on Google Docs
• How to Insert a Horizontal Line in Google Docs
• How to Subscript in Google Docs (An Easy 4 Step Guide)
• How to Delete a Table in Google Docs (A Quick 5 Step Guide)
• How to Center a Table in Google Docs (2023 Guide)
• How to Double Space on Google Docs – iPad, iPhone, and Desktop
• How to Insert a Page Break in Google Docs
• How to Add a Row to a Table in Google Docs
• How to Remove Strikethrough in Google Docs (A Simple 4 Step Guide)
• How to Make Google Docs Landscape
• How to Put a Picture on Google Docs (5 Easy Steps)
• How to Create a Folder in Google Docs
• Google Docs Space After Paragraph – How to Add or Remove
• How to Make a Template in Google Docs: Step-by-Step Guide
• Can I Convert a PDF to a Google Doc? (An Easy 5 Step Guide)
• How to Insert a Cover Page in a Word Document: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Delete A Google Doc (An Easy 3 Step Guide)
• How to Edit a Hyperlink in Google Docs
• How to Clear Formatting in Google Docs

How to Format Your Essay in MLA Style Using Google Docs

by Mel Beasley | Jan 23, 2021 | Academic Writing

Information is taken from the 8th edition MLA Handbook, latest version, 2022. 

MLA format was created by the Modern Language Association and is a widely used styling for research papers and academic essays. If you’re a college student, you’ll notice that MLA format is required in liberal arts and humanities subjects. 

Most professors will strongly recommend that you use Microsoft Word to format your essays, but some students might not have access to this paid software. If this is the case, it is possible to format your essay in MLA style correctly while using the free Google Docs app within your Gsuite. This guide will show you exactly how to format your essay properly in MLA style using Google Docs. This guide only covers the basics of formatting such as margins, spacing, etc., so please see our other resources for further MLA formatting guidelines

What will we cover?

• Proper MLA font style and size
• Margins and header
• First-page title information
• Body-paragraph spacing

1. Open your blank document

To get started with your essay, you’ll need to log in to your Gmail account. Once signed in, you should be looking at your email dashboard.

• Look to your profile image and name at the top right.
• Click on the squared dot icons to view your apps.
• You should see “Docs” as one of your options.
• Click on “Docs.”

2. Set the font and size

In MLA format, you may only use Times New Roman font at size 12. It’s understandable if you’re feeling the urge to get creative with styling but don’t. Stay focused on following the MLA style guidelines and you’ll save yourself valuable grade points later. 

When you open Google Docs, the font and size are set automatically, so make sure you manually make tweaks to these settings. Unlike MS Word, Google Docs only has one main view with all options listed in dropdowns. This simplicity should help you easily set up your document without getting lost.

How do you do it?

• In Google Docs, you’ll see your font and size dropdowns slightly off-center left of the page.
• Select Times New Roman .
• Select size 12 .

2. Set the margins in MLA format

MLA Style requires that your margins stay set to 1 inch around the entire page.

• Click on File at the top left of the page.
• Click on Page Setup.

• Next, you’ll see a popup appear in the middle of the screen.
• Check to make sure all the boxes for the top, bottom, left, and right are set to 1 inch.

3. How to add your name and page number in Google Docs 2020

Properly formatting your essay in MLA Style using Google Docs has a few extra steps compared to doing the same thing in MS Word, but as long as you follow this guide, you shouldn’t have any issues making it happen. Keep in mind that not adding your name and page numbers to your document could count against your grade. This part of formatting is very easy to do, and it’s not worth losing grade points over, so don’t forget this step!

• Select Insert.
• Hover over Headers & Footers .
• Select Header .

• A header section should appear.
• Change your font to Times New Roman and your font size to 12 .
• Make sure the box next to “Different first page” is unchecked or the header won’t show on every page.
• Type your last name only and make a single space .

• Before navigating out of the header, you’ll need to insert the page number.
• Select Insert again.
• Hover over Page Numbers .
• Select the first option .
• When your page number appears in your header, you can simply select the middle of your page with your cursor to make the header changes stick.

4. How to set double-spaced lines in Google Docs

MLA Style requires that all your body text be double-spaced. This helps your essay look cleaner and easier to read. 

• Click on the Line Spacing icon.
• In the dropdown, select Double . 

5. How to set name and title information

The name, assignment type, date, and essay title are the first things your professor sees in your essay because they’re at the top of the first page.

Before you begin writing the first draft of your essay, go ahead and enter the name, course, and date information. MLA Format requires a very specific setup for how this information is listed in your essay. You should list your first and last name, the professor’s name, the course number, and the date all on designated lines. This information should be neatly aligned to the left of the page. 

How do you format your name and course info in MLA Format?

• You’ll need the first page of your MLA Style essay to contain your name , professor’s name , course number , and the date in that order. 
• Align the essay information to the left of the page.
• Hit Enter once before writing your essay title in the Center of the page.  
• Hit Enter once, Align Left , and tab over a half-inch before you begin writing your essay text.

The finished title information should look like this:

Not sure how to set your indent to a half-inch in Google Docs?

Google docs should already have your half-inch indentation automatically set, but here’s how to do it just in case.

• Select Format .
• Hover over Align & Indent .
• Select Indentation Options .

• You’ll see a popup appear in the center of the screen.
• Enter .5 in the box beside Left .
• Hit Apply .

That’s all there is to properly set up your essay in MLA Format using Google Docs. Good luck!

Mel Beasley has a bachelor’s in creative writing and journalism from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He brings 9+ years of digital marketing and writing experience to the table by writing for publications such as Lumina News and Encore Magazine. He spent 2 years as a college-level writing tutor, and is a certified writing tutor through the CRLA, which is a prestigious cert recognized by the Association for the Coaching & Tutoring Profession. He is a professional SEO blogger with experience writing for brands such as Boardworks Education and The Greater Wilmington Business Journal. One of his latest website and marketing projects has been building the website for the now New York Times Bestselling author, Nina de Gramont .

7 Tips for Setting Achievable Writing Goals – 2024

Mel Beasley Dec 21, 2023

5 Reasons a Creative Writing Degree is Worth It

Conner DiGiacomo Jul 28, 2023

The 5 Stages of Freytag’s Pyramid (Plus Examples)

Conner DiGiacomo Jul 15, 2023

Latest Articles

7 Unexpected Things You’ll Learn At Writing Workshops

Conner DiGiacomo Jul 8, 2023

Subscribe for Updates, Writing Tips, and More!

Thanks for subscribing we'll send you a confirmation shortly..., pin it on pinterest.

• Print Friendly

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Add Citations and a Bibliography in Google Docs

By Erin Wright

This tutorial shows how to add citations and a bibliography in Google Docs. First, we will enter the source information. Then, we will add in-text citations. Finally, we will create a bibliography (also known as a Works Cited list or References list).

Table of Contents

How to Enter Sources

How to add in-text citations, how to create a bibliography.

Watch all the steps shown here in real time!

Explore more than 200 writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel .

Let’s get started…

• Select the Tools menu.

• Select Citations from the drop-down menu.

• Select MLA , APA , or Chicago Author-Date from the style guide format menu in the Citations sidebar. (You only have to make this choice for the first source.)

• Select Add citation source .

• Select the type of source from the Source type menu:
• Book section
• Journal article
• Newspaper article
• Miscellaneous

• Select how you accessed the source from the Accessed by menu. (The options will change according to the type of source you are citing.)

How to Enter Sources Automatically with ISBNs and URLs

If you are citing a book, book section, website, or article from a website, you can use the ISBN or URL to enter the source information automatically.

• Enter the ISBN or URL into the text box and then select the Search button.

• After the source information appears, select the Continue button.

• The source information will be automatically entered into the relevant fields. Manually fix any incorrect or missing information and then select the Add citation source button.

The source will now appear in the Citations sidebar.

How to Manually Enter Sources

If you are citing a journal article, newspaper article, film, TV series, TV episode or miscellaneous source, enter as much information as you have available in the related fields.

• Select the type of contributor and then enter the name in the text boxes. (The type of contributors available will depend on the type of source you are citing.)

• Select Corporation/organization if the contributor is not a person and then enter the name in the text box.

• Select + Contributor if you need to add additional contributors.

• Fill out the remaining fields with as much information as you have available and then select the Add citation source button (see figure 9).
• If the Citations sidebar is not visible, select the Tools menu (see figure 1) and Citations from the drop-down menu (see figure 2).
• Place your cursor in the text where you want to insert the citation.
• Hover your pointer over the source in the sidebar and then select the Cite button.

• If necessary, delete the # or manually enter the page numbers into the citation. (Page numbers are not entered when creating the source because you may cite multiple pages or page ranges from the same source.)

Important Note: Google Docs will include all your sources in the bibliography, even those you didn’t cite in your text.

Therefore, you may want to delete unused sources from the sidebar before creating the bibliography by hovering over the source, selecting the three-dot menu, and then selecting Delete .

Alternatively, you can manually delete those sources from the bibliography later.

• Place your cursor in the text where you want to insert the bibliography.
• Select the Insert References or Insert Works Cited button.

The bibliography will appear in your document. You can manually edit the heading to Bibliography, Works Cited, Reference List, or List of References as necessary.

Related Resources

How to Insert Citations in Microsoft Word (Step-by-Step)

• Microsoft Word Tutorials
• Adobe Acrobat Tutorials
• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Writing Tips
• Editing Tips
• Writing-Related Resources

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 .”

• How to Make Columns in Google Docs [Complete Guide]
• How to Highlight in Google Docs [Step-by-Step Guide]
• How to Save a Document in Google Docs: A Quick Guide
• 20 Best Handwriting Fonts on Google Docs to Add a Personal Touch

Most Popular Posts

How To Highlight Duplicates in Google Sheets

How to Make Multiple Selection in Drop-down Lists in Google Sheets

Google Sheets Currency Conversion: The Easy Method

A 2024 guide to google sheets date picker, related posts.

How to Zoom Out in Google Sheets and Zoom Back In [Easy]

• Sumit Bansal
• July 3, 2024
• May 16, 2024
• May 2, 2024

How to Insert a Google Sheets Hyperlink in 5 Seconds

• Chris Daniel
• April 15, 2024

Thanks for visiting! We’re happy to answer your spreadsheet questions. We specialize in formulas for Google Sheets, our own spreadsheet templates, and time-saving Excel tips.

Note that we’re supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission at no extra cost to you.

Like what we do? Share this article!

Essay Templates in Google Docs

• Google Docs
• Essay Outline
• Argumentative Essay
• Interview Essay
• Narrative Essay
• Reflective Essay
• Research Paper Essay
• Self Introduction Essay

Get Instant Access to 30,000+ Google Docs Templates

• Access to 1 Million+ Templates & Tools
• 200,000+ Google Templates Including Google Docs & Google Sheets
• Unlimited access to Design & Documents AI editors
• Professionally Made Content and Beautifully Designed
• Instant Download & 100% Customizable

Your path to academic success

Improve your paper with our award-winning Proofreading Services ,  Plagiarism Checker , Citation Generator , AI Detector & Knowledge Base .

Proofreading & Editing

Get expert help from Scribbr’s academic editors, who will proofread and edit your essay, paper, or dissertation to perfection.

Plagiarism Checker

Detect and resolve unintentional plagiarism with the Scribbr Plagiarism Checker, so you can submit your paper with confidence.

Citation Generator

Generate accurate citations with Scribbr’s free citation generator and save hours of repetitive work.

Happy to help you

You’re not alone. Together with our team and highly qualified editors , we help you answer all your questions about academic writing.

Open 24/7 – 365 days a year. Always available to help you.

Very satisfied students

This is our reason for working. We want to make  all students  happy, every day.

Excellent help

This has been my lifesaver for my…

This has been my lifesaver for my degree, post-grad, and my Masters. Easy to use, making life so simple to add in references offering top tips for writing.

Very helpful and saves me time with my…

Very helpful and saves me time with my referencing, with only occasional errors. I intended to give a 4.5 rating.

This is the most reliable and easiest…

This is the most reliable and easiest online tool that I have found for citations.

great resource

Helpful; does some capitalization wrong but great resource overall!

excellent program

Very noice citation generator

While some documents can not be sited, it still can site a variety of sources online. It has many formats to offer and the best part is that their are not many adds compared to other citation generators. It is the best one i have so far.

a free citation website for college

a free citation website for college! I am obssessed with this citation website. Its really easy to use and keeps track of all your citations.

It was always easy using Scribbr

It was always easy using Scribbr, without Scribbr honestly I wouldn't be able to cite sources/references quickly. Knowing I'm professional crammer Scribbr helps with time. Would 100% Recommend

very useful remembers my citations for…

very useful remembers my citations for me, easy to access. Website design very intuative. Sometimes the citations arent accurate but- all good- easy to edit and fic

The feedback are very helpful

The feedback are very helpful. English is my second language and the edits and suggestions from the editor are helpful in enhancing the quality of my paper.

SIMPLY, THE BEST!!!!

It is easy to use Scribbr and it works…

It is easy to use Scribbr and it works well at gathering information about the sources and making sources. The user interface is easy to navigate and the folders makes it easy to store and organize sources.

Thorough proofreading

Thorough proofreading, good English, helpful comments to the clarity of the paper, and good comments explaining language rules.

Easy and fun to use!

Correct Formats for my Grad School Experience

Correct Formats for my Grad School Papers. It helped make my transition back to school as an older adult smoother and less stressful. Thank you.

Comprehensive and applicable content.

The content on this website is more comprehensive and, descriptive than most certified courses. The vivid examples make it even easier to understand and, remember.

Best citation generator out there

So much more simple than other citation generators. I love that you don't have to switch tabs in order to change between citation sources. No ads, there are no issues with this loading, and it seamlessly copies and pastes into whichever document you need. I was a user of many other generators in the past, since finding Scribbr, I will never use another one again.

I am in grad school at the Pacifica…

I am in grad school at the Pacifica Graduate Institute and have used the citation tool for all my final APA scholarly papers. This has worked for me, wonderfully! There only have been a few times where it did not have a citation for something I asked for. Overall, great tool! Thank you!

Everything you need to write an A-grade paper

Free resources used by 5,000,000 students every month.

Bite-sized videos that guide you through the writing process. Get the popcorn, sit back, and learn!

Lecture slides

Ready-made slides for teachers and professors that want to kickstart their lectures.

• Academic writing
• Citing sources
• Methodology
• Research process
• Dissertation structure
• Language rules

Accessible how-to guides full of examples that help you write a flawless essay, proposal, or dissertation.

Chrome extension

Cite any page or article with a single click right from your browser.

Time-saving templates that you can download and edit in Word or Google Docs.

Help you achieve your academic goals

Whether we’re proofreading and editing , checking for plagiarism or AI content , generating citations, or writing useful Knowledge Base articles , our aim is to support students on their journey to become better academic writers.

We believe that every student should have the right tools for academic success. Free tools like a paraphrasing tool , grammar checker, summarizer and an  AI Proofreader . We pave the way to your academic degree.

Ask our team

Want to contact us directly? No problem.  We  are always here for you.

• Email [email protected]
• Start live chat
• Call +1 (510) 822-8066
• WhatsApp +31 20 261 6040

Frequently asked questions

Our team helps students graduate by offering:

• A world-class citation generator
• Plagiarism Checker software powered by Turnitin
• Innovative Citation Checker software
• Professional proofreading services
• Over 300 helpful articles about academic writing, citing sources, plagiarism, and more

Scribbr specializes in editing study-related documents . We proofread:

• PhD dissertations
• Research proposals
• Personal statements
• Admission essays
• Motivation letters
• Reflection papers
• Journal articles
• Capstone projects

Scribbr’s Plagiarism Checker is powered by elements of Turnitin’s Similarity Checker , namely the plagiarism detection software and the Internet Archive and Premium Scholarly Publications content databases .

The add-on AI detector is powered by Scribbr’s proprietary software.

The Scribbr Citation Generator is developed using the open-source Citation Style Language (CSL) project and Frank Bennett’s citeproc-js . It’s the same technology used by dozens of other popular citation tools, including Mendeley and Zotero.

You can find all the citation styles and locales used in the Scribbr Citation Generator in our publicly accessible repository on Github .

How-To Geek

How to indent paragraphs in google docs.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Microsoft Office vs. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides: Which Is Best?

Why it feels like ads are listening to your conversations (when they aren't), today's nyt connections hints and answer for august 28 (#444), read update.

In addition to using the ruler, you can now use a menu option to indent paragraphs as well. You can view this process in the corresponding section below.

Quick Links

Indent using the ruler, indent using the toolbar, indent using the menu.

Indenting paragraphs in Google Docs requires access to the ruler , which you'll only find in the full web version. The ruler is not present in the mobile apps.

For whatever reason, Google Docs does not make the ruler available in its mobile apps. Google Docs also doesn't let you create indents by formatting styles. So, if you want to create indents, you'll need to use the full web version, and you'll need to make the ruler visible.

UPDATE: 6/23/22

To start, select the paragraphs to which you want to apply your indent (or select your whole document by hitting Ctrl+A).

Next, take a look a look at the ruler at the top of your document (if you don't see the ruler, go to View > Show Ruler). At the left-hand side of the ruler, you'll see two light blue markers stacked together: a horizontal bar on top and a downward-facing triangle on the bottom.

The horizontal bar is the First Line Indent marker. It's used to control the indentation of the first line on whatever paragraphs you have selected . The triangle is the Left Indent marker. It's used to control the indentation of the entire paragraphs you have selected.

Related: Google Docs Has a Handy New Text Selection Feature

By default, both markers are set at the right edge of the pages left margin (so that your text starts right at the edge of the margin), but you can change that.

Create a First Line Indent

Let's start by creating the most common kind of indent---the first line indent. Select one or more paragraphs, and then drag the First Line Indent marker to the right. It's a small element that requires a precise bit of clicking, so use your browser's zoom function if you need to.

Related: How to Control Margins in Google Docs

As you drag the marker to the right, shows a vertical line so you can line up your indent, and displays a black box at the top indicating how many inches in you're indenting. Let go of the marker when you've got it in place and your paragraphs will show the new indentation.

You can use the Left Indent marker if you want to indent all the lines of any selected paragraphs from the left margin . Select your paragraphs, and then drag the Left Indent marker to the right. This time, all the lines of the paragraphs are moved to the right. This kind of indent is handy if you want to include images or side headings out to the side.

Create a Hanging Indent

You can also use a combination of the two markers to create something called a hanging indent (sometimes called a negative indent), where the first line of a paragraph is not indented, but all subsequent lines are. These are often used in bibliographies, works cited, and references pages.

Related: How to Do a Hanging Indent on Google Docs

This one is a two-step process. First, drag the Left Indent marker to the right to set the level of indent you want.

Second, drag the First Line Indent marker back to the left to, in effect, cancel out that line's indentation.

Google Docs also makes "Increase Indent" and "Decrease Indent" buttons available on the toolbar. You'll see them towards the right end of the toolbar, though if you're not viewing your browser window full screen, you may have to click a button with three dots to reveal any hidden buttons. The indent buttons look like this:

Click either to bump the full left indent (every line of selected paragraphs) right or left by a half-inch with each button press. It's a quick way to control a whole paragraphs indent, but the buttons don't give you near the flexibility as using the markers on the rulers.

Another way to indent paragraphs in Google Docs on the web is using the menu. For a new document, the settings will apply to all paragraphs you compose. For a specific paragraph, select it first.

Go to Format > Align & Indent. Pick "Indentation Options" in the pop-out menu.

For the left and right indents, enter numbers into the boxes on the right using your standard unit of measurement such as inches.

If you want only the first line of your paragraph(s) indented, use the drop-down box at the bottom to select "First Line." Then, enter the measurement into the box on the right.

Notice, you can also choose "Hanging Indent" in the drop-down box if you prefer to indent your paragraph with that format.

Related: How to Add a Hanging Indent in Microsoft Word

Click "Apply" when you finish. Again, for a new document, you'll see your paragraphs indented as you write. For existing text that you selected, you should see the new indentation style.

Whichever tool you decide to use, you can easily indent your paragraphs in Google Docs. For more, take a look at how to make a block quote or how to add, edit, or remove tab stops in Google Docs.

• Google Docs