A bibliography is a crucial component of any well-structured academic paper, from college essays to dissertations. It provides readers with a comprehensive list of the sources you used to build your arguments, ensuring transparency and allowing for further exploration of the topics you discussed. While creating a bibliography from scratch isn’t overly complicated, Microsoft Word offers a fantastic built-in bibliography generator that simplifies the process. This guide will walk you through the steps, assuming you’re already familiar with the basics of Microsoft Word.
Adding New Citations
To incorporate a new citation for a source you haven’t referenced before, you’ll need its basic details – whether it’s a book, article, website, or another type. Follow these steps:
1.
Navigate to the References tab.
In the ‘Citations & Bibliography’ section of the ribbon, you’ll find the tools you need.2.
Select your writing format.
Use the ‘Style’ drop-down menu to choose your preferred format. Popular options include APA, MLA, and Chicago. The default is usually APA.3.
Insert a new citation.
Click ‘Insert Citation’ and select ‘Add New Source.’ The ‘Type of source’ drop-down menu allows you to specify the source type. The fields below will update to accommodate the chosen source type.4.
Enter source details.
Fill in the required information for your source. You can also check the ‘Show all bibliography fields’ box to display all available fields, even if they are not initially visible.5.
Save the source.
Click ‘OK’ to save the source, and it will be added to your document in the chosen format.Managing Your Sources
Once you’ve added a source to your paper, you can edit it, reuse it, or manage it within a master list. This master list allows you to easily use the same sources in other Word documents.
1.
Access the Source Manager.
Go to the References tab and click ‘Manage Sources’ in the ‘Citations & Bibliography’ section.2.
Manage your sources.
The Source Manager displays your Master list of sources on the left. You’ll find any previously added sources there.*
Adding an existing source:
To add an existing source to your current document, select it from the Master list and click ‘Copy.’ This moves the source to the ‘Current list’ for easy insertion into your document.*
Editing a source:
Select a source and click ‘Edit’ to modify its details. Save your changes by clicking ‘OK.’*
Adding a new source:
Click the ‘New’ button, enter the source details, and save it by clicking ‘OK.’3.
Close the Source Manager.
When you’re done managing your sources, click ‘Close’ to return to your document.Creating a Bibliography
When you’re ready to insert your bibliography, Word automatically utilizes the sources you’ve added to the Source Manager.
1.
Position your cursor.
Place your cursor where you want the bibliography to appear in your document.2.
Verify your format.
On the References tab, make sure the correct writing format is selected in the ‘Style’ drop-down menu.3.
Insert the bibliography.
Click the ‘Bibliography’ drop-down menu in the ‘Citations & Bibliography’ section. You’ll find various built-in options with different headings. If you prefer a bibliography without a heading, choose ‘Insert Bibliography.’4.
Select your desired option.
Your chosen bibliography option will be inserted into your document.Updating a Bibliography
Word automatically generates your bibliography, making updates easy if needed, similar to updating a table of contents. Updates might be required after adding new citations, editing source details, or making structural changes to your document (e.g., deleting a page).
1.
Select and update.
Select the bibliography and click the ‘Update citations and bibliography’ button located at the top left of the References tab.2.
View the updates.
Your list of references will be updated to reflect any additions or changes.College life can be challenging, so focus on the content of your papers, and let Word handle the bibliography effortlessly. Now that you’ve mastered creating bibliographies in Word, explore other handy features like double-spacing your paper or adding page numbers.
