APA Formatting of Research Paper Using Word
1. One File: All of the parts of the term paper should be in one file; do not use separate files for the title
page, outline, body, and references.
- If they are in separate files, combine the files using Insert -> File
2. Paper size: In North America, the paper size should be set to US Letter, not A4.
- Go to File -> Page Setup -> Paper and choose Letter. Then click Default on the bottom left of
the window to make Letter the default paper size.
3. Font: The font for the entire paper should be set to Times New Roman, 12 point, with no bolding.
- Use Edit -> Select All, and then set the font for the whole document.
4. Line Spacing: The entire essay should be double-spaced.
- Use Edit -> Select All, and then set the line spacing using the icon with the two arrows to the left
of the numbered-list icon.
5. Margin Justification: Only the left margin should be justified; do not use left and
right justification.
- Use Edit -> Select All, and then click on the left-justify icon in the toolbar
(shown on the right)
6. Margin Size: All margins (top, bottom, left, and right) should be 2.5 cm.
- Go to File -> Page Setup -> Margins
7. Hanging indent for references: Use hanging indent for the references; do not use a
return and a tab.
- Select the references, and set the ruler as shown on the right.
8. Internet URLs: Remove all active (blue underlined) Internet addresses.
- Right-click on URL and choose Remove Hyperlink
9. Outline Format: Sometimes Word wants to format the outline for you. We suggest turning off the
automatic lists feature when you type the outline so you can format it yourself.
- Go to Tools -> AutoCorrect -> AutoFormat As You Type, and click off the
Automatic Bulleted Lists and Automatic Numbered Lists.
- To indent parts of the outline, click on the indent icon (shown on the right).
10. Header: Include a shortened title and page numbers in the header; there should be no line underneath.
- Use View -> Header and Footer (or just double-click in the
header area). Tab twice to go to the right end of the header.
Type your one- or two-word shortened title, and click the #
icon in the Header and Footer dialog box to add automatic
page numbers.
- Sometimes Word puts a line in the heading. To remove it,
click in the heading, and choose the No Border icon (the
one with no lines), as shown on the right.
11. ¶ Symbol: Use the paragraph symbol (¶) for an html page
citation.
- Use Insert -> Symbol -> Special Characters and double click on the ¶ symbol.
12. Spellcheck: Please spellcheck your essay.
- Use Tools -> Spelling and Grammar. We suggest not checking grammar until the final draft.
13. Spacing Before and After Punctuation: Use correct spacing as you type:
- No spaces before a period, comma, semi-colon, colon, question mark, or exclamation point
- No space after an opening parenthesis (
- No space before a closing parenthesis )
14. Word Count: Count only the words in the essay itself (introduction, body, conclusion); do not include
the title page, the outline, the title, or the reference page.
- Select the introduction, body, and conclusion with the mouse, then use Tools -> Word Count