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How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs

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What Is MLA Format?

• Step-by-Step: Use an MLA Format Template in Docs
• Extra: How to Do MLA Format on Docs

How to Set MLA Works Cited in Google Docs

How to create a hanging indent in google docs.

If you use your Google Drive for schoolwork, you should know how to do MLA format on Google Docs . There is a Google Docs template you can use, but it helps to know how to set up MLA format manually as well.

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

While your instructor may have specific requirements, the general guidelines for MLA format are as follows:

• Size 12 Times New Roman font
• Double-spaced text with no extra spaces between paragraphs
• One-inch page margins on all sides
• A header with your last name and a page number in the top-right of every page
• Your full name, the instructor's name, the course name, and the due date in the top-left of the first page
• A centered title above the body text
• Body paragraphs begin with a 1/2 inch indent
• A Works Cited page at the end of the paper

How to Use an MLA Format Template in Google Docs

Google Docs has some templates available that can help users get a jump on formatting documents. The Google Docs Report MLA add-on is one such template. To set up MLA in Google Docs using this template:

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 MLA Add-on .

There are also templates for other academic styles such as APA.

A new document will open with dummy text that you can replace with your own. The formatting for the document will already be in place. You won't need to change anything but the words.

How to Do MLA Format on Docs

If you don't trust using a template, or if you have an altered version of MLA format you must stick to, then you can also set up MLA format in Google Docs manually. Once you've set it up, you can also save it as your own, customized template so you don't have to do it again the next time you need the format.

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

Google Docs uses 1-inch margins on all sides by default, so there is no need to adjust the margins.

Select Insert > Headers & footers > Header .

If you want to remove the headers from your Google Doc later, it's a simple process if you're using Google Docs in a web browser. A little harder if you're using Google Docs on an iOS and Android mobile device

Note that the font for the header changes back to the default. Change it to 12 point Times New Roman , then select Right Align .

Type your last name followed by a space, then select Insert > Page numbers .

Adjust your Page numbers options as needed and then select Apply .

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

Alternatively, you can click the Line spacing icon in the toolbar at the top of the page and choose Double .

Type your name , the instructor's name , the course name , and the due date on separate lines.

Press Enter to go to the next line, then select Center Align and type the title of your paper .

Capitalize the first letter of every major word. Do not use bold, italics, or other text formatting options.

Press Enter to go to the next line, then select Left Align .

Press the Tab key to indent, then start typing your first paragraph. Begin every new paragraph with an indent.

After you finish the body of your paper, select Insert > Break > Page Break to create a blank page for the Works Cited page.

The last page of your paper should begin with the words “Works Cited” (without quotation marks) centered below the heading. The format for each works cited entry is different depending on the format of the source. For example, use this format for articles found on the web:

• Author name (last, first). "Title." Publication, Date (day, month, year). URL. Accessed date.

Therefore, an entry for an online news article may appear as follows:

• Kelion, Leo. "Coronavirus: UK contact-tracing app is ready for Isle of Wight downloads." BBC News, 4, May, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52532435 . Accessed 8 May 2020.

Sources should be alphabetized by the author's last name. All works cited entries should have a hanging indent , which means that each line after the first is indented.

For specific examples of how to put different types of sources in MLA format, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website .

To get a hanging indent in Google Docs for your Works Cited page:

Highlight all of the text on your Works Cited page and select Format > Align & Indent > Indentation options .

In the Indention options dialog box select Hanging from the Special indent dropdown box and then select Apply .

The default ident of 0.5 inches is acceptable for MLA style.

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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 .

• Main content

Using MLA Format

Document Sources

Works cited quick guide.

Learn how to use the MLA format template.

Digital Citation Tool

Build citations with our interactive template.

In-Text Citations

Get help with in-text citations.

Endnotes and Footnotes

Read our guide about using notes in MLA style.

Set Up Your Paper

Setting up a research paper.

Get our guidelines for setting up academic research papers.

Formatting Captions

Learn how to format captions.

Sample Papers

Read sample papers written in MLA style.

Annotated Bibliographies

Learn how to set up an annotated bibliography.

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Student's Guide to MLA Style (2021) | Citation & Format

To cite sources in MLA style, you need

• In-text citations that give the author’s last name and a page number.
• A list of Works Cited that gives full details of every source.

Make sure your paper also adheres to MLA format : one-inch margins, double spacing, and indented paragraphs, with an MLA style heading on the first page.

You can create citations automatically with our free MLA Citation Generator . Enter a URL, DOI , or ISBN, and the generator will retrieve the necessary information.

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Table of contents

Mla works cited list, the nine core elements of mla citations, mla in-text citations, free lecture slides, frequently asked questions about mla style.

The Works Cited list is where you give full details of all sources you have cited in the text. Other citation styles sometimes call this the “reference list” or “bibliography.” An annotated bibliography is slightly different.

Author . “Source Title.” Container Title , Other contributors , Version , Number , Publisher , Publication date , Location .

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Begin each source entry with the name of the author(s) or creator(s). The name of the first author is always inverted (Last name, First name).

When a source has two authors, the second author’s name is shown in the normal order (First name Last name).

For sources with three or more authors, state only the first author’s name, followed by “ et al. ”

The author of a source is not necessarily a person; it can also be an organization. If so, simply use the name of the organization.

However, if the organization is both the author and publisher , start with the title of the source instead.

MLA author element

Always include the full title of the source, including subtitles (separated by a colon and space).

Use title case —capitalize all words apart from conjunctions , prepositions , and articles . If there is no title, give a short description of the source, with normal sentence case capitalization.

The styling of the title depends on the type of source:

• Italics when the source is self-contained (e.g. a whole book, movie or website).
• Quotation marks when the source is part of a larger whole (e.g. a chapter of a book , a page on a website, or an article in a journal).
• No styling  when describing a source without a title.

3. Container

A container is the larger work that the source you’re citing appears in. For example, a chapter is part of a book, a page is part of a website, and an article is part of a journal.

If the source you’re citing is a self-contained whole (e.g. a whole book), leave out this element.

The container title is always italicized.

Elements 3 (container title) to 9 (location) all provide information about the container.

Sources with two containers

A source can also have two containers. If you watched an episode of a TV show on Netflix, the show title is the first container and Netflix is the second container. If you accessed a journal article through the database JSTOR, the journal name is the first container and JSTOR is the second container.

In most cases, only the title and location (often the URL or DOI ) of the second container are included in the source entry. This is because databases like JSTOR don’t have relevant contributors, versions, publishers, or publication dates.

• Datta, Hannes, et al. “The Challenge of Retaining Customers Acquired with Free Trials”. Journal of Marketing Research , vol. 52, no. 2, Apr. 2015, pp. 217–234. JSTOR , www.jstor.org/stable/43832354.

Pay attention to the punctuation. The author and source title elements each end with a period. Elements within a container are separated by commas, and a period is used to close the container.

4. Other contributors

Contributors are added right after the container title and always end with a comma. Use a description like “translated by,” “directed by,” or “illustrated by” to indicate the role of the contributor. For example:

• Latour, Bruno. Politics of Nature: How to Bring the Sciences into Democracy . Translated by Catherine Porter, Harvard UP, 2004.

When a source has three or more contributors with the same role, include the name of the first contributor followed by “et al.”

If there are no other relevant contributors, leave out this element.

When there is more than one version of a source, you should include the version you used. For example, a second-edition book , an expanded version of a collection, or a director’s cut of a movie would require the version to be included:

• Porter, Michael E. Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors . 2nd ed. , Simon and Schuster, 1998.
• Columbus, Chris, director. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets . director’s cut, Warner Bros., 2002.

Sources such as journal articles (“vol. 18”), magazines (“no. 25”) and TV shows (“season 3, episode 5”) are often numbered. If your source has numbered parts, include this in the source entry:

• Wieseke, Jan, et al. “Willing to Pay More, Eager to Pay Less: The Role of Customer Loyalty in Price Negotiations.” Journal of Marketing , vol. 68, no. 6, 2014, pp. 17–37.

It is also possible for a source to have an edition, volume, and number. Just separate them using commas.

7. Publisher

Book and movie citations always include the publisher element. The publisher is the company responsible for producing and distributing the source—usually a book publisher (e.g. Macmillan or Oxford UP ) or a movie production company (e.g. Paramount Pictures or Warner Bros ).

Note that “University Press” is abbreviated to “UP” in a Works Cited entry. For example, the University of Minnesota Press becomes “U of Minnesota P”; Oxford University Press becomes “Oxford UP.”

When not to add a publisher Sometimes the publisher is already included elsewhere in the source entry, such as in the container title or author element. For example, the publisher of a website is often the same as the website name. In this case, omit the publisher element.

You generally don’t need to include a publisher for the following source types:

• Newspapers and magazines
• Platforms like YouTube, Netflix, or JSTOR

8. Publication date

When available, always include the publication year . If you also know the month, day, or even time of publication, you can include this if it helps the reader to locate the source. Date ranges are also possible. For example:

• 25 Jan. 2019
• 14 Aug. 2017, 4:45 p.m.
• Jan. 2017–Apr. 2018

Multiple publication dates If there is more than one publication date, use the one that is most relevant to your research and take the date of the edition that you have used.

No date When a source does not state a publication date, add the date on which you accessed the information. For example: Accessed 22 Sep. 2018 .

9. Location

What you include in the location element depends on the type of source you are citing:

• Book chapter : Page range of the chapter (e.g. pp. 164–180. )
• Web page : URL, without “https://” (e.g. www.scribbr.com/mla-style/quick-guide/. )
• Journal article : DOI , with “https://”—or stable URL, without: (e.g. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2018.1560449. or www.jstor.org/stable/43832354. )
• Physical object or live event : Name of the location and city (e.g. Moscone Center, San Francisco. or The Museum of Modern Art, New York. )

MLA in-text citations are brief references in the body of your document which direct your reader to the full reference in the Works Cited list. You must include an in-text citation whenever you quote or paraphrase  a source.

A standard MLA in-text citation includes the author’s last name and a page number in parentheses. The page number refers to the exact location of the quote or information that you are citing:

• 66% of voters disagree with the policy (Smith 13) .

If the author is already named in the sentence, you only need to include the page number in parentheses:

• According to Smith , 66% of voters disagree with the policy (13) .

Multiple authors

For a source with two authors, include the last names of both authors. If a source has three or more authors, only include the last name of the first author, followed by “et al.” if in parentheses or “and colleagues” if in the text.

• Smith and Morrison claim that “MLA is the second most popular citation style” (17) .
• According to Reynolds and colleagues , social and demographic circumstances still have a major effect on job prospects (17–19) .

If a source does not state a specific author, the in-text citation should match the first word(s) of the Works Cited entry, whether that’s an organization name or the source title.

Format titles the same as they appear in the Works Cited, with italics or quotation marks. Use the full title if mentioned in the text itself, but an abbreviated title if included in parentheses.

• The article “New Ways to Slow Down Global Warming” claims that . . . (4).
• Reducing carbon emissions slows down climate change (“New Ways” 4) .

No page number

If a source has no page numbers, but is divided into numbered sections (e.g. chapters or numbered paragraphs), use these instead:

• Morrison has shown that there is a great need for . . . (par. 38) .
• Reynolds devotes a chapter to the rise of poverty in some states in the US (ch. 6) .

For audiovisual sources (such as YouTube videos ), use a timestamp:

• In his recent video, Smith argues that climate change should be the main political priority of all governments today (03:15–05:21) .

If there is no numbering system in the original source, include only the author’s name in your citation.

Are you a teacher or professor looking to introduce your students to MLA style? Download our free introductory lecture slides, available for Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint.

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MLA Style  is the second most used citation style (after APA ). It is mainly used by students and researchers in humanities fields such as literature, languages, and philosophy.

The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition , published in 2021.

This quick guide to MLA style  explains the latest guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers according to MLA.

A standard MLA Works Cited entry  is structured as follows:

Only include information that is available for and relevant to your source.

The fastest and most accurate way to create MLA citations is by using Scribbr’s MLA Citation Generator .

Search by book title, page URL, or journal DOI to automatically generate flawless citations, or cite manually using the simple citation forms.

If information about your source is not available, you can either leave it out of the MLA citation or replace it with something else, depending on the type of information.

• No author : Start with the source title.
• No title : Provide a description of the source.
• No date : Provide an access date for online sources; omit for other sources.

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MLA Formatting and Style Guide

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This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The following overview should help you better understand how to cite sources using MLA  9 th edition, including how to format the Works Cited page and in-text citations.

Please use the example at the bottom of this page to cite the Purdue OWL in MLA. See also our MLA vidcast series on the Purdue OWL YouTube Channel .

Creating a Works Cited list using the ninth edition

MLA is a style of documentation that may be applied to many different types of writing. Since texts have become increasingly digital, and the same document may often be found in several different sources, following a set of rigid rules no longer suffices.

Thus, the current system is based on a few guiding principles, rather than an extensive list of specific rules. While the handbook still describes how to cite sources, it is organized according to the process of documentation, rather than by the sources themselves. This gives writers a flexible method that is near-universally applicable.

Once you are familiar with the method, you can use it to document any type of source, for any type of paper, in any field.

Here is an overview of the process:

When deciding how to cite your source, start by consulting the list of core elements. These are the general pieces of information that MLA suggests including in each Works Cited entry. In your citation, the elements should be listed in the following order:

• Title of source.
• Title of container,
• Other contributors,
• Publication date,

Each element should be followed by the corresponding punctuation mark shown above. Earlier editions of the handbook included the place of publication and required different punctuation (such as journal editions in parentheses and colons after issue numbers) depending on the type of source. In the current version, punctuation is simpler (only commas and periods separate the elements), and information about the source is kept to the basics.

Begin the entry with the author’s last name, followed by a comma and the rest of the name, as presented in the work. End this element with a period.

Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.

Title of source

The title of the source should follow the author’s name. Depending upon the type of source, it should be listed in italics or quotation marks.

A book should be in italics:

Henley, Patricia. The Hummingbird House . MacMurray, 1999.

An individual webpage should be in quotation marks. The name of the parent website, which MLA treats as a "container," should follow in italics:

Lundman, Susan. "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow, www.ehow.com/how_10727_make-vegetarian-chili.html.*

A periodical (journal, magazine, newspaper) article should be in quotation marks:

Bagchi, Alaknanda. "Conflicting Nationalisms: The Voice of the Subaltern in Mahasweta Devi's Bashai Tudu." Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature , vol. 15, no. 1, 1996, pp. 41-50.

A song or piece of music on an album should be in quotation marks. The name of the album should then follow in italics:

Beyoncé. "Pray You Catch Me." Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016, www.beyonce.com/album/lemonade-visual-album/.

*The MLA handbook recommends including URLs when citing online sources. For more information, see the “Optional Elements” section below.

Title of container

The eighth edition of the MLA handbook introduced what are referred to as "containers," which are the larger wholes in which the source is located. For example, if you want to cite a poem that is listed in a collection of poems, the individual poem is the source, while the larger collection is the container. The title of the container is usually italicized and followed by a comma, since the information that follows next describes the container.

Kincaid, Jamaica. "Girl." The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories, edited by Tobias Wolff, Vintage, 1994, pp. 306-07.

The container may also be a television series, which is made up of episodes.

“94 Meetings.” Parks and Recreation, created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, performance by Amy Poehler, season 2, episode 21, Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2010.

The container may also be a website, which contains articles, postings, and other works.

Wise, DeWanda. “Why TV Shows Make Me Feel Less Alone.”  NAMI,  31 May 2019,  www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/May-2019/How-TV-Shows-Make-Me-Feel-Less-Alone . Accessed 3 June 2019.

In some cases, a container might be within a larger container. You might have read a book of short stories on Google Books , or watched a television series on Netflix . You might have found the electronic version of a journal on JSTOR. It is important to cite these containers within containers so that your readers can find the exact source that you used.

“94 Meetings.” Parks and Recreation , season 2, episode 21, NBC , 29 Apr. 2010. Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/70152031?trackId=200256157&tctx=0%2C20%2C0974d361-27cd-44de-9c2a-2d9d868b9f64-12120962.

Langhamer, Claire. “Love and Courtship in Mid-Twentieth-Century England.” Historical Journal , vol. 50, no. 1, 2007, pp. 173-96. ProQuest, doi:10.1017/S0018246X06005966. Accessed 27 May 2009.

Other contributors

In addition to the author, there may be other contributors to the source who should be credited, such as editors, illustrators, translators, etc. If their contributions are relevant to your research, or necessary to identify the source, include their names in your documentation.

Foucault, Michel. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason. Translated by Richard Howard , Vintage-Random House, 1988.

Woolf, Virginia. Jacob’s Room . Annotated and with an introduction by Vara Neverow, Harcourt, Inc., 2008.

If a source is listed as an edition or version of a work, include it in your citation.

The Bible . Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1998.

Crowley, Sharon, and Debra Hawhee. Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. 3rd ed., Pearson, 2004.

If a source is part of a numbered sequence, such as a multi-volume book or journal with both volume and issue numbers, those numbers must be listed in your citation.

Dolby, Nadine. “Research in Youth Culture and Policy: Current Conditions and Future Directions.” Social Work and Society: The International Online-Only Journal, vol. 6, no. 2, 2008, www.socwork.net/sws/article/view/60/362. Accessed 20 May 2009.

Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria. Translated by H. E. Butler, vol. 2, Loeb-Harvard UP, 1980.

The publisher produces or distributes the source to the public. If there is more than one publisher, and they are all are relevant to your research, list them in your citation, separated by a forward slash (/).

Klee, Paul. Twittering Machine. 1922. Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Artchive, www.artchive.com/artchive/K/klee/twittering_machine.jpg.html. Accessed May 2006.

Women's Health: Problems of the Digestive System . American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2006.

Daniels, Greg and Michael Schur, creators. Parks and Recreation . Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2015.

Note : The publisher’s name need not be included in the following sources: periodicals, works published by their author or editor, websites whose titles are the same name as their publisher, websites that make works available but do not actually publish them (such as  YouTube ,  WordPress , or  JSTOR ).

Publication date

The same source may have been published on more than one date, such as an online version of an original source. For example, a television series might have aired on a broadcast network on one date, but released on  Netflix  on a different date. When the source has more than one date, it is sufficient to use the date that is most relevant to your writing. If you’re unsure about which date to use, go with the date of the source’s original publication.

In the following example, Mutant Enemy is the primary production company, and “Hush” was released in 1999. Below is a general citation for this television episode:

“Hush.” Buffy the Vampire Slayer , created by Joss Whedon, performance by Sarah Michelle Gellar, season 4, Mutant Enemy, 1999 .

However, if you are discussing, for example, the historical context in which the episode originally aired, you should cite the full date. Because you are specifying the date of airing, you would then use WB Television Network (rather than Mutant Enemy), because it was the network (rather than the production company) that aired the episode on the date you’re citing.

“Hush.” Buffy the Vampire Slayer, created by Joss Whedon, performance by Sarah Michelle Gellar, season 4, episode 10, WB Television Network, 14 Dec. 1999 .

You should be as specific as possible in identifying a work’s location.

An essay in a book or an article in a journal should include page numbers.

Adiche, Chimamanda Ngozi. “On Monday of Last Week.” The Thing around Your Neck, Alfred A. Knopf, 2009, pp. 74-94 .

The location of an online work should include a URL.  Remove any "http://" or "https://" tag from the beginning of the URL.

Wheelis, Mark. "Investigating Disease Outbreaks Under a Protocol to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention." Emerging Infectious Diseases , vol. 6, no. 6, 2000, pp. 595-600, wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/6/6/00-0607_article. Accessed 8 Feb. 2009.

When citing a physical object that you experienced firsthand, identify the place of location.

Matisse, Henri. The Swimming Pool. 1952, Museum of Modern Art, New York .

Optional elements

The ninth edition is designed to be as streamlined as possible. The author should include any information that helps readers easily identify the source, without including unnecessary information that may be distracting. The following is a list of optional elements that can be included in a documented source at the writer’s discretion.

Date of original publication:

If a source has been published on more than one date, the writer may want to include both dates if it will provide the reader with necessary or helpful information.

Erdrich, Louise. Love Medicine. 1984. Perennial-Harper, 1993.

City of publication:

The seventh edition handbook required the city in which a publisher is located, but the eighth edition states that this is only necessary in particular instances, such as in a work published before 1900. Since pre-1900 works were usually associated with the city in which they were published, your documentation may substitute the city name for the publisher’s name.

Thoreau, Henry David. Excursions . Boston, 1863.

Date of access:

When you cite an online source, the MLA Handbook recommends including a date of access on which you accessed the material, since an online work may change or move at any time.

Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web." A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites, 16 Aug. 2002, alistapart.com/article/writeliving. Accessed 4 May 2009.

As mentioned above, while the MLA handbook recommends including URLs when you cite online sources, you should always check with your instructor or editor and include URLs at their discretion.

A DOI, or digital object identifier, is a series of digits and letters that leads to the location of an online source. Articles in journals are often assigned DOIs to ensure that the source is locatable, even if the URL changes. If your source is listed with a DOI, use that instead of a URL.

Alonso, Alvaro, and Julio A. Camargo. "Toxicity of Nitrite to Three Species of Freshwater Invertebrates." Environmental Toxicology , vol. 21, no. 1, 3 Feb. 2006, pp. 90-94. Wiley Online Library, doi: 10.1002/tox.20155.

Creating in-text citations using the previous (eighth) edition

Although the MLA handbook is currently in its ninth edition, some information about citing in the text using the older (eighth) edition is being retained. The in-text citation is a brief reference within your text that indicates the source you consulted. It should properly attribute any ideas, paraphrases, or direct quotations to your source, and should direct readers to the entry in the Works Cited list. For the most part, an in-text citation is the  author’s name and the page number (or just the page number, if the author is named in the sentence) in parentheses :

When creating in-text citations for media that has a runtime, such as a movie or podcast, include the range of hours, minutes and seconds you plan to reference. For example: (00:02:15-00:02:35).

Again, your goal is to attribute your source and provide a reference without interrupting your text. Your readers should be able to follow the flow of your argument without becoming distracted by extra information.

How to Cite the Purdue OWL in MLA

Entire Website

The Purdue OWL . Purdue U Writing Lab, 2019.

Individual Resources

Contributors' names. "Title of Resource." The Purdue OWL , Purdue U Writing Lab, Last edited date.

The new OWL no longer lists most pages' authors or publication dates. Thus, in most cases, citations will begin with the title of the resource, rather than the developer's name.

"MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL, Purdue U Writing Lab. Accessed 18 Jun. 2018.

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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MLA 9th Edition

• Paper Templates & Examples

Sample papers

• MLA 9th edition sample papers The SCC Library & Academic Support Center teach students to follow 9th edition student formatting rules, unless the instructor states otherwise.

Paper Template

• Student Paper Template, MLA 9 (PDF) Download this template before you begin writing to make sure your paper is formatted correctly in MLA 9th edition format.
• Last Updated: Mar 19, 2024 2:30 PM
• URL: https://library.surry.edu/MLAstyle

How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs [Step-by-Step Guide]

• Last updated March 30, 2023

Google Docs is a widely-used online word-processing tool that offers various formatting options, including MLA. Knowing how to do MLA format on Google Docs can save you a lot of time and effort in formatting your document correctly.

To set up MLA format on Google Docs, go to the “File” menu and select “Page setup.” Set the margins to 1 inch and the font to Times New Roman (size 12). Use the “Format” menu to set double spacing and hanging indents for your citations. Include a works cited page at the end of your document.

Whether you’re new to MLA formatting or simply need a refresher, this guide will help you get your document formatted correctly and ready to submit.

Table of Contents

What Is MLA Format?

MLA (Modern Language Association)  is a commonly-used formatting style in academic writing, especially in humanities, literature, and social sciences papers. If you’re a student or scholar, your research papers and essays will probably require you to learn how to use MLA format on Google Docs .

MLA follows a set of rules that govern how academic papers should be formatted. Additionally, it includes guidelines on structuring the paper, citing sources, and creating a Works Cited page. These format guidelines are designed to make academic papers easy to read while maintaining a consistent structure that will be accepted by your instructor or publisher.

Which Criteria Are Needed for MLA Formatting?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of using MLA format on Google Docs , it’s essential to understand what criteria you’ll need to meet to format your paper correctly:

• Font : The font size should be 12pt. Use a legible font such as Times New Roman (recommended font style).
• Page Numbers : Include page numbers in the top-right corner of each page, half an inch from the top of the page.
• Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides of your document.
• Line Spacing: Use double-spacing throughout your document, including the Works Cited page.
• Indentation:  Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
• Header: The header should include your last name and the page number (with a space in between).
• Title: In the top-left corner, create a title page with your name, the instructor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title should be centered on the first page and written in the title case. It should not be bolded, underlined, or in a larger font.
• In-text Citations: Whenever you use information from a source, you must provide an in-text citation. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information was found, e.g., (Smith 45).
• Works Cited: Include a separate page titled “Works Cited” at the end of your document. List your sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If there is no author, you may use the title. Each entry should include the author’s name, the title of the work, publication information, and medium of publication. The Works Cited page should have a hanging indent.
• Quotations: Use double quotation marks to enclose short quotations and block quotations for long quotations of more than four lines.
• Capitalization:  Use sentence case for titles of works and capitalize the first word (and all other words) except for prepositions and articles.

How to Set Up MLA Format in Google Docs

Setting up an MLA format is a straightforward process. Simply follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Open a New Google Doc

To set up MLA format in Google Docs:

• Open Google Docs .
• Click the “Blank”  option to create a new, empty document that can be formatted according to MLA guidelines.

Step 2: Set Margins and Page Size

Adjust the margins and page size to match MLA requirements. To do this:

• Click on “File”  in the top-left corner of your document.
• Select “Page setup” in the drop-down menu.

• Change the page size to “8.5 x 11”  in the “Page Setup”  window.

• Next, set the margins for your document to 1 inch on all sides.

Step 3: Set Font and Font Size

Next, set your document’s font and size. MLA guidelines recommend a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman, Arial) and a 12-point font size. To change the font and font size:

• Click the “Font”  drop-down menu in the top toolbar.

• Select the suggested font and size. In this case, Times New Roman. You can find the font size tab next to the font style.

Step 4: Set Line Spacing

MLA format requires double-spaced text throughout the document, including the Works Cited page. To set line spacing in Google Docs:

• First, click on the  “Line spacing”  drop-down menu in the top toolbar.
• Next, select “Double.”

Step 5: Add a Header

One of the critical elements of MLA formatting is a header that appears at the top of every page, including the first page. The header should include your last name and the page number, with the page number aligned with the right margin. To add a header:

• Click “Insert” in the top toolbar.
• Select “Header & page footer” and select “Header.”

• Type your last name in the header section, and click “Right align.”

• Select the “Page number”  option in the drop-down menu.
• Choose the option to add page numbers to the top-right corner of the page.

Step 6: Add a Title

The title of your paper should be centered and typed in the same font and font size as the rest of your document. To add a title:

• Type it in the center of the first page using  “Center Align,” with no additional formatting (like bold or underline).

The title should appear like this:

Step 7: Add In-Text Citations

In-text citations are used to credit sources in your paper’s body. MLA formatting requires including the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found (added in parentheses after the quoted or paraphrased text). To add an in-text citation:

• Type the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses after the relevant text.

Step 8: Create a Works Cited Page

To get MLA formatting on Google Docs right, you’ll need a  Works Cited page that lists all the sources cited in your paper. You must cite all sources used in your paper, including direct quotes and summarized information.

To create a Works Cited page in Google Docs , follow the steps outlined below:

• Type  “Works Cited”  at the top of a new page.
• List your sources alphabetically by the author’s last name, using hanging indents (where the first line is flush left and subsequent lines are indented) .
• Each entry should include the author’s name, the title of the source, publication information, and the medium of publication.

The formatting for each source type (e.g., book, journal article, website) may differ slightly. Consult the MLA Handbook or a reliable online source  for guidance.

Note: I f you’re citing a source with multiple authors, you must use “et al.” after the first author’s name.

Format Citations in the Works Cited Page

In MLA format, citations on the Works Cited page should be formatted with a hanging indent and double-spaced lines. To create a hanging indent in Google Docs , do the following:

• Click on the “Format”  drop-down menu in the top toolbar.
• Select “Align & indent.”
• Click on “Indentation options.”

• Select “Hanging” in the “Special indent”  drop-down menu.
• Then, set the indent to 0.5 inches.

Step 10: Check Your Formatting

Once you’ve completed all the steps for setting up an MLA-friendly doc in Google Docs, double-check your formatting to ensure that it meets all of the required guidelines. This includes reviewing your margins, font size, line spacing, header, and Works Cited page to ensure that they follow MLA guidelines.

That’s it! You’ve successfully set up MLA format in Google Docs.

How to Use MLA Format Google Docs Template

To set Google Docs to MLA format, there’s a template that’s incredibly simple to use:

• Open Google Docs and click “Template Gallery”  at the top of the screen.
• Select the “MLA” template.

• Start typing! The template comes pre-formatted with all the necessary margins, line spacing, and font size.

How Do You Add MLA Citations in Google Docs?

To add a citation, place your cursor where you want the citation to go. Then, do the following:

• Click on the  “Tools”  menu, then click “Citation.”

• Select “MLA (8th Ed.)”  as the citation format. Then, click “Add citation source.”

• If you’re citing a new source, you’ll need to enter the author’s name, title, publisher, and other information. You can choose from your previously-added sources if you select a citation source.

Tips for Writing an Essay

While formatting your paper is essential, it’s also vital to ensure your content’s message is strong. Here are some tips for writing an essay that will stand out:

• Start with a strong thesis statement:  Your thesis statement should be clear, concise, and argumentative. It’s the backbone of your essay, so take the time to get it right.
• Use concrete examples: Don’t just tell your reader something — show them specific examples to make your arguments more convincing.
• Edit, edit, edit:  Your first draft will never be perfect, so take the time to revise and edit your work. Read through your essay multiple times and have someone else read it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make an mla cover page on googl e docs.

MLA format doesn’t require a cover page, but if your instructor does, here’s how to create a cover page on Google Docs:

• Create a new document in Google Docs.
• Go to “Insert”  in the top menu and select “Page Break.”
• Type your title, name, instructor’s name, and date on the new page. All of this information should be double-spaced and centered on the page.
• Hit “Enter”  a few times to create space between the information you just typed and the rest of your paper.
• Go to “Insert”  in the top menu and select  “Header & Page Number”  to add a header to your cover page.
• Type your last name and the page number in the header. This information should be right-justified.

What Is the Newest MLA Format?

The newest MLA format is the 9th edition, released in 2021. The ninth edition includes added chapters on inclusive language and formatting an MLA-style paper.

One of the main changes in the ninth edition is the formatting of tables. Tables are now labeled and numbered, with the label and title placed in bold above the table on separate lines. A caption providing information about the source is placed below the table.

When Do I Use a Hanging Indent in MLA Format?

Aside from these basic steps, there are other formatting considerations when working with MLA format.

For example, if you’re using quotes that are longer than four lines, they should have a hanging indent  and be separated from the rest of the text.

Wrapping Up

After reading this guide, you should confidently know how to do MLA format on Google Docs. Remember: Writing is a process, and it takes time and practice to master the skills needed to write high-quality papers. With a little patience and perseverance, you’ll be able to produce well-formatted, well-researched papers that meet the highest academic standards.

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

William antonelli   .

• 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.

Quick tip: This guide focuses on the Google Docs website, not the app. While you can format an MLA paper in the app, it's much easier to do using the website.

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.

Important: These are the standard MLA rules, but you should always follow your instructor's specific guidelines, even if they differ from the standards.

• 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 .

Quick tip: MLA requires a different style for every citation, depending on what you're actually citing. For a full guide on how to cite your paper's sources, check out the Purdue OWL's guide on how to write a Works Cited page .

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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Free Download: MLA 9 Template

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the lengthy list of formatting, content and referencing requirements of MLA 9th edition? Our free MLA student paper template makes it easy by taking care of all the finer details, right out of the box.

This MLA template includes all the core sections typically required for a paper formatted using MLA 9th edition. Here’s an overview of what’s covered in the template:

• Header and opening section
• Heading structure
• Main body content
• In-text citations
• Works cited page

The perfectly formatted MS Word document (DOCX format) is fully editable , so you can use it for your as is, copy over the contents to a fresh document, or convert to LaTeX.

Preview The Template

The video below unpacks MLA 9th edition requirements by walking through the template, step by step. If you’re new to MLA, this is essential viewing.

Our “done for you” language editing and proofreading service takes the hassle out of MLA. Simply send us your document and we’ll take care of all the MLA formatting. Get a guaranteed quote in less than 10 seconds! 

June 15, 2024

How to do MLA format in Google Docs

Need to create a document using MLA format? We’ll explain this format’s specifications and how to create your paper using MLA in Google Docs.

Are you required to compose your school essay or assignment using MLA format? We’ll explain the requirements for this format, show how to use a built-in template, and walk through formatting the document yourself using an example.

We’ll also explain how to use Plus AI in Google Docs to make adjustments to your content when you’re struggling with it.

Requirements for the MLA format

MLA format has certain requirements including page setup, font style and size, and paragraph spacing. It’s important to follow these when writing an essay or paper using MLA format.

• Use 8.5 by 11 inches paper size.
• Set one-inch margins on all sides.
• Use a 12-point font.
• Choose a standard, legible font style such as Times New Roman.
• Double-space the document.
• Enter only one space after a period.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch (using the Tab key.)
• Use quotation marks or italics for titles such as books and movies.
• Insert a header placing the page numbers in the top right-hand corner aligned to the right margin.

First-page formatting

You should also format the first page of the document a particular way.

• Do not include a title page unless requested.
• Include your name, instructor’s name, course, and date on the upper left side of the page.
• Double-space and center the title beneath.
• Double-space and enter the first paragraph below the title.

For additional MLA format instructions such as citations, lists, abbreviations, or tables, check out Purdue Online Writing Lab on the web page for assistance.

Method 1: Use an AI tool

To save time creating content for an MLA format page, you can use Plus AI for Google Docs . For example, you can instruct Plus AI to add a page with a list of your references.

• With your Google Doc open, select Extensions > Plus AI > Write with Plus AI .
• Go to the Generate tab in the sidebar and enter your instructions in the What do you want to write? box. 

As an example, we instruct Plus AI to create an MLA works cited page with our list of book titles.

• Click Generate and you’ll see your Works Cited page in MLA format with all of the necessary book details including author, year, and publisher.

Not only does Plus AI provide you with a reference page, but it can also help do the research for you!

Method 2: Use the Google Docs MLA template

If you need additional formatting for your document, the simplest way to create a document using MLA format is to take advantage of the Google Docs MLA template. You can obtain the template for free directly in the Google Docs Template Gallery.

• Visit Google Docs , sign in, and open the Template Gallery at the top.

• Move down to the Education section and select the MLA Report template.

• When the template opens, change the document name per your preference and then use the placeholders to insert your own details and content.

Method 3: Create a Google Doc in MLA format

If you don’t want to use the Google Docs template or already have a document with content that just needs formatting, you can do so easily. Let’s walk through how to format each of the MLA requirements above for the document you see below.

Set up the document

Selecting the page size and adjusting the margins is the best place to begin. When you access these settings, you may already have these options selected, so simply confirm.

• Go to File > Page setup in the menu.
• In the Apply to drop-down menu, choose Whole document .
• Below Orientation , mark Portrait .
• For Paper size , pick Letter (8.5” x 11”) .
• Keep white as the page color unless specified otherwise.
• In the four margin locations on the right, enter the number 1 for each.
• Your settings should match the screenshot below. Select OK when you finish.

Adjust the font and spacing

Next, you can set the font style and size as well as double-space the document. If you already have text in your document, be sure to select it so that the changes apply to the existing content.

• Select the Font drop-down menu in the top toolbar and choose Times New Roman .

• In the Font size box to the right, enter or choose 12 .

• Use the Line & paragraph spacing drop-down menu in the toolbar or Format > Line & paragraph spacing in the menu to choose Double .

Insert the document header and page numbers

Finally, insert a header and add the page numbers. If requested by your instructor, you can include your last name in front of the page number as explained below.

• Go to Insert > Headers & Footers in the menu and pick Header .

• When the header appears, open the Align drop-down menu in the top toolbar and pick Right align . This moves your cursor to the right margin where you’ll insert the page number.

• Select Options and choose Page numbers .

• In the Page Numbers pop-up window, choose Header for the Position, check the box for Show on first page , and confirm that Start At is set to 1 .

• Click Apply and you’ll see your page numbers in the header of each page.

If you need to add your last name to the header, place your cursor in front of (to the left) of the page number and type your name with a space after. Your last name then appears in the header along with the page numbers in the entire document.

Note that if the font style isn’t set to Times New Roman in the header, simply select the text and use the Font drop-down menu in the top toolbar to change it.

Once you have your document set to the above MLA format , you’re ready to go. But be sure to keep the other requirements in mind as you create your content including indenting paragraphs, using quotes or italics for titles, and inserting only one space after each period.

Get help with changes using Plus AI

While there are arguments on both sides for whether or not students should be allowed to use AI in school, you may be in a situation where your instructor encourages it in some circumstances.

With Plus AI, you can get the help you need. You can take your existing content and use artificial intelligence to assist with the changes you want to make. For example, you might need to adjust the tone for a different audience or translate the text you’ve written.

Using Plus AI with Google Docs, you simply select your current content and choose a preset and/or provide instructions on how to change the text.

Along with assistance in Docs, you can use Plus AI for help with Google Slides presentations and Microsoft PowerPoint slideshows . By selecting an attractive template and entering a prompt, you can instruct Plus AI to build engaging and appealing presentations .

If you’re required to create an essay or other academic paper using MLA format, it’s easy to do in Google Docs. With the list of requirements, template, and example provided, you should be well on your way to a perfectly structured MLA formatted document.

For future projects, especially slideshows, remember that Plus AI can assist not only with content but presentation appearance as well!

How do I indent the MLA format in Google Docs?

With the MLA format, you should indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch. Normally, you can simply press your Tab key which provides the correct space for the indent.

Alternatively, place your cursor at the start of the line and move the First Line Indent indicator (blue line) in the Google Docs Ruler to 0.5 inches .

How do I do a reference page in MLA?

In Google Docs, you can use the Citations feature to create a bibliography or works cited page. Go to Tools > Citations . In the sidebar that appears, select MLA for the format, add your citations, and click Insert Works Cited when you finish.

Do I skip a line between paragraphs in MLA?

The short answer is “no.” The entire document should be double-spaced including the spacing between paragraphs. Press Enter or Return only once to begin a new paragraph.

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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: May 17, 2024 3:15 PM
• URL: https://libguides.cuesta.edu/MLA8th

SUNY Broome

Apa and mla templates for google docs.

Here are two Google Docs templates you can use for APA or MLA formatted papers. The templates are View Only, so you will need to make a copy if you want to use one. Click the Use Template button in the upper right corner to make a copy. 

These templates have headers, page numbers, margins, fonts and line spacing already set up for you. Just make a copy and type over the filler text. 

APA Template Google Doc

MLA Template Google Doc

References and Citations

Google Docs also has a Citation tool to help you format your bibliography and in-text citations. You can find it in the menu under Tools=>Citations . Here is a short video showing the process:

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How to Write an Essay in MLA Format | For Students

Starting from when I entered high school, the importance of submitting assignments in a particular format became a top priority. I quickly realized the significance of adhering to these guidelines, as they remained essential throughout my academic journey. You never know when the need for proper formatting will arise. At first, it may seem overwhelming, but in this simple guide, I'll show you how to write an essay in MLA format [For Students].

When is MLA format used?

MLA format is created by the Modern Language Association which is a standardized way to format academic papers and cite sources. It’s mainly used for subjects in the humanities, like literature, philosophy, and the arts. Unlike APA or Chicago formats, which are used for social sciences and history, MLA puts a strong emphasis on the authorship of sources.

Most students will need to use MLA format at some point, especially in humanities courses. It’s essential for essays, research papers, and other assignments in these subjects.

General Guidelines/ Rules of MLA Formatting

The first step to learning how to write an essay in MLA format for students is to get familiar with the general guidelines. It's all about following the rules to get your paper formatted in the MLA style:

Margins and Font:

Set 1-inch margins on all sides.

Choose a readable font such as Times New Roman, 12-point size.

Double-space the entire document, including block quotes (quotes longer than four lines), notes, and the works cited page.

Paragraph Indentation:

Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (press Tab key once).

Punctuation:

Utilize standard punctuation marks and maintain consistency with punctuation, italics, and quotation marks throughout your paper.

Quotations:

Use double quotation marks (" ") for direct quotes.

For quotes longer than four lines, format as a block quote: start on a new line, indent 0.5 inches from the left margin (without quotation marks), and keep double-spacing.

Here is an essay MLA format template for your reference:

How to Set up MLA Format Essay [Step-by-Step]

So we have seen the general guidelines in the above example and also saw an essay MLA format example/sample showing what our final MLA format will look like. However, going through guidelines is not enough when you're learning how to write an essay in MLA format in Word or PDF format. You need a professional writing software that not only provides the tools but also allows you to use them easily.

Therefore, I will be using WPS Writer as my partner in writing an essay in MLA format, and I would recommend students to download WPS Writer from their website so that you can easily follow this guide. And yes, it is completely free. So let's begin formatting an essay to MLA format in WPS Writer:

1. Page Margins

So the first step is to ensure that our page margins are set to 1 inch on every side. Setting the margins first would help you avoid any formatting errors if you do this at a later stage. To set page margins in WPS Writer:

Step 1: Open WPS Writer and visit the “Page Layout” tab in the toolbar.

Step 2: Find the Page Margin options on the far left of the Page Layout ribbon.

Step 3: Set all the margin fields—top, bottom, left, and right—to 1 inch.

2. Line Spacing

Next, we need to ensure that the line spacing is set to double spacing . This helps improve readability and ensures your paper meets MLA formatting standards. To set double line spacing in WPS Writer:

Step 1: In WPS Writer, go to the “Home” tab in the toolbar.

Step 2: Find and click the “Line Spacing” option in the Home ribbon.

Step 3: In the Line Spacing drop-down, click on More.

Step 4: The Paragraph window will pop up. Visit the Spacing section and in the Line Spacing field, select “Double”.

Step 5: After that, click on OK to exit the Paragraph window.

Note: We can also use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + 2 to quickly change the line spacing to double.

3. Header- In the Upper-Left Corner

After setting the page settings, let's move on to the content of the essay, starting with the header in the following order:

Student's Name

Professor's Name

Course and Course Code

Due Date in the format DD Month, Year

Step 1: Follow the order to enter the header into your essay.

Step 2: To make the Header left aligned, visit the Home tab and then click on the “Align Text Left” icon.

Step 3: After entering the header, make sure the Font is set to "Times New Roman" in the Fonts field in the Home ribbon.

Step 4: After the font, the font size should also be set to "12." Therefore, make the change in the "Font Size" field in the Home ribbon.

4. Last Name & Page Numbers- In the Upper-Right Corner

MLA Format requires a running header that includes your last name along with the page number on the top right corner of every page. Let's see how we can create our running header for the MLA Format:

Step 1: Double-click on the Header area to open the Header/Footer in WPS Writer.

Step 2: Now type your last name and set its alignment to right by clicking on the “Align Text Right” icon in the Home ribbon.

Step 3: To add the page number, click on the "Page Number" option in the Header/Footer ribbon and select the "Header right" option to insert a page number in the right corner.

Once the running header has been added, it is important to set the font size of the running header to 12 and the font to "Times New Roman".

Step 4: Simply select your running header and click on the Home tab.

Step 5: In the Home tab, change the Font to "Times New Roman" in the Fonts field.

Step 6: To change the font size, in the Home ribbon, enter "12" in the Font size field.

The last setting for the running header is to set the header margin to "0.5 inches":

Step 7: Head over to the Header/Footer tab.

Step 8: In the Header/Footer ribbon, enter "0.5 in" in the “Header Height” field to set the header margin to 0.5 inches.

5. Title of Essay- On the Line Below the Date

After the header and running header, let's begin our essay with the title of our essay. Remember the rules:

The title should be center aligned.

The title should not be bolded, italicized, or placed in quotation marks unless it includes the title of a source (e.g., a book or movie title).

Step 1: Insert the title right below the header and visit the Home tab.

Step 2: In the Home ribbon, click on the “Center” icon to center align the title.

6. Headings and Subheadings- Into Sections

Headings and subheadings are important as they give reference to the reader. There are no hard and fast rules for their formatting, except that they need to be center aligned. You can set the font style to bold to help the reader distinguish them.

Step 1: Enter your heading below the title of the essay and visit the Home tab.

Step 2: In the Home ribbon, click on “Center” to align the heading to the center.

Step 3: To change the font style to bold, in the Home ribbon, click on the “Bold” icon right below the font field.

7. In-text Citation

In MLA format, in-text citations use parenthetical references to indicate quotes or ideas from another author. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do in-text citations:

Step 1: When you quote or paraphrase from a source, use the author's last name and the page number where the information is found.

Step 2:  After the quote or paraphrase, place the citation in parentheses. The citation should include the author's last name followed by the page number without a comma between them.

Step 3: The parenthetical citation should be placed before the period at the end of the sentence.

8. Works Cited Page

Finally, you will need to cite all the sources you took assistance from in writing your paper. Follow the following steps to understand how to cite your work in MLA format.

Step 1: Use a page break to start a fresh new page with the title "Works Cited." The heading "Works Cited" will follow similar heading guidelines as before.

Step 2: Double-space all entries and do not add extra spaces between entries.

Step 3: Use a hanging indent for each entry. The first line of each citation is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches simply using the “Tab” key..

Step 4: List entries in alphabetical order by the author's last name. If a work has no author, alphabetize it by the first significant word in the title.

Step 5: Format your sources as mentioned below for respective source medium:

Books Format: Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.

Articles in Journals Format: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.

Websites Format: Author's Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of Webpage." Title of Website, Publisher, Date of Publication, URL.

Bonus Tips: How to Convert Word to PDF without losing Format

Once you finish writing your essay, the next challenge is converting it from Microsoft Word to PDF without losing formatting. This can be frustrating because sometimes the formatting doesn't stay the same.

To avoid this issue, use WPS Office . It offers strong PDF features and keeps APA and MLA formatting intact. On the other hand, Microsoft Word 365, though widely used, may occasionally struggle to keep formatting consistent when converting to PDF. It's important to choose tools that prioritize preserving the look and structure of your academic work.

Here is how you can use WPS PDF to convert your essay documents to PDF without compromising on the quality:

Step 1: On WPS Writer, click on the Menu button on the top left corner of the screen.

Step 2: Now simply click on the “Export to PDF” option in the Menu.

Step 3: The Export to PDF window will open. Here, you can alter a few settings such as the output path. After going through the settings, simply click on Export to PDF to save the essay document as a PDF.

FAQs about writing an essay in MLA format

1. how to cite an image in mla.

To cite an image in MLA style, you need to format the citation based on where the image was viewed. For online images, the citation should follow this structure:

MLA format:

Creator’s last name, First name. “Image Title” or Description of the image. Website Name in italics, Day Month Year, URL.

MLA Works Cited entry:

Smith, Jamie. “Vintage Cars.” Travel With Us, 15 Mar. 2023, www.travelwithus.com/vintage-cars.

MLA in-text citation:

(Smith) Note: If you discover an image through a search engine such as Google, ensure that you credit and link to the website that hosts the image, rather than the search engine.

2. Do I need to include a title page in my MLA essay?

In most instances, an MLA-formatted essay does not necessitate a separate title page unless instructed otherwise by your instructor. Instead, begin your essay with a header and center the title on the subsequent line.

3. How to Cite a Website in MLA?

To cite a website in MLA style, you should include the author’s name (if known), the title of the page in quotation marks, the name of the website in italics, the publication date, and the URL without "https://". If the identity of the author is not known, start with the title of the page. If the publication date is unavailable or if there's a possibility of content modifications, include an access date at the end.

Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Page.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.

Adams, John. "Explore with us." Random Discoveries, 15 Sept. 2023, www.randomdiscoveries.com/explore-with-us.

Write Your Essays in Comfort With WPS Office

It’s so easy! The great thing about MLA format is that it’s not vastly different from APA and Chicago formats. There are only a few distinctions, and once you learn how to write an essay in MLA format [For Students], everything will become much easier for your academic life. Also, WPS Office is an incredibly handy tool for students. Not only can you format comfortably, but it’s also designed to be student-friendly, avoiding complex procedures. Simple yet advanced, and best of all, free. Get WPS Office today and write essays with ease and comfort!

• 1. How to Remove Page Breaks in Word for Your Essay? [For Students]
• 2. How to Do Hanging Indent in Word for Your Essay? [For Students]
• 3. How to Use Track Changes in Word for Your Essay? [For Students]
• 4. How to Double Space in Word for Your Essay: A Guide for Students
• 5. How to Make MLA Format Heading and Header in WPS Office (Step-by-Step)
• 6. Top 10 Best Introduce Yourself Essay Sample Words

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.