The document provides a guide on how to insert citations and a bibliography in Microsoft Word, emphasizing the use of its built-in citation tools. It outlines steps for inserting uniform citations and managing sources, with examples primarily based on APA style. Additionally, it highlights the importance of keeping track of reference materials during writing to prevent last-minute challenges.

1. How to insert references into your
Microsoft Word document
Sylvia Matovu
Resource Center Assistant
TASO Headquarters

2. Introduction
Many times essay or report writers are required to insert citations or a
bibliography into documents. To some this is a tedious process that
requires a lot of concentration and in fact is put off until the very
end. Sometimes, by the end of the report, the write has forgotten all
the resources consulted.
Microsoft Word has an inbuilt system to enable you insert citations
while you write and automatically insert the bibliography at the end
of your report or essay.
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Insert uniform citations
2. Insert a bibliography or list of works cited within the document.
3. Keep track of all reference material used during the research or
report.

3. Citation styles
The most common styles of citation in are;
• Harvard APA or APA
• MLA
• Chicago
• IEEE
• Turabian
*For purposes of uniformity, examples will be
drawn using the APA style.

4. Step 1
Open an MS Word page where the
citations are required.
If the document is already typed
out then find the spots where
citations are required.
If the document is not yet typed
out then insert the citations as
you work.

5. Step 2
Select References on the top menu

6. Step 3
Go to Citations and Bibliography

7. Step 4
Select the Style
using the drop
down arrow
Select Manage
Sources and the
Source Manager
will come on.
This is a permanent
record of sources
and can
therefore be
used for any MS
Word Document.

8. Step 5
The Create
Source
screen will
come on
providing
you with
fields
depending
on the Type
of Source
selected.

9. Step 6
Select OK after all the available fields have
been filled.
Select New for every new source entry.
Click Close after all entries have been made.

13. Step 7
To place a citation click Insert Citation and select
the required citation. It will automatically be
inserted according to the citation style required.
To place a bibliography (or list of references) at the
end of your report, click Bibliography. This gives
you two options
1. To insert works cited
2. To insert a bibliography – this includes both cited
and non-cited works.

14. Note
Sources are saved permanently and can therefore be
used for multiple documents.
To use a source already saved on the Master List, copy
it into the Current list.

15. Useful links
• Purdue Online Writing Lab -
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/
• Office.com - http://office.microsoft.com/en-
us/word-help/create-a-bibliography-
HA010067492.aspx
END