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How to Do APA Format on Google Docs – Complete Guide for Students & Researchers

If you’re writing a research paper, essay, or academic document, knowing how to do APA format on Google Docs is essential. 📄 APA style (from the American Psychological Association) is widely used across the social sciences, psychology, education, and many university programs. Thankfully, Google Docs makes it easy to set up your document to comply with APA guidelines — and this article walks you through every step of the process! 💡

Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, we’ve got you covered — including helpful keyboard shortcuts along the way.


Why APA Formatting Is Important

Adhering to APA formatting ensures:

  • Credibility of your academic work
  • Proper citation of sources
  • Standardized structure for readability
  • Better grades from instructors who require formal formatting

How to Create an APA Format Document in Google Docs (Quick Start)

Google Docs actually offers a built-in APA template, which saves tons of time.

Steps:

  1. Go to docs.google.com
  2. Click Template gallery at the top right
  3. Scroll to Education section
  4. Select APA Format template 📘

This template includes:

  • Times New Roman 12 pt font
  • Double spacing
  • 1-inch margins
  • Title page with running head
  • Proper header alignment

✅ Instant APA formatting ready to go!


Manual APA Setup in Google Docs (If You Start from Blank)

If you prefer or need to format manually, here’s what to do:

Font & Spacing

  • Go to Format > Line & Paragraph Spacing > Double
  • Select Times New Roman, size 12

Shortcut Tips:

OSFont MenuLine Spacing
WindowsCtrl + Shift + FCtrl + 2
macOSCmd + Shift + FCmd + 2
UbuntuCtrl + Shift + FCtrl + 2

Margins

  1. Click File > Page setup
  2. Set all margins to 1 inch (default in most cases)

Creating a Title Page in APA Style

An APA title page should include:

  • Title of your paper
  • Your name
  • Institution name
  • Course name
  • Instructor’s name
  • Due date

Steps:

  1. Center-align the text (Ctrl + Shift + E on Windows/Ubuntu, Cmd + Shift + E on macOS)
  2. Add each field, one line at a time
  3. Press Enter several times to center it vertically

Add a Header with Page Number & Running Head

  1. Go to Insert > Headers & Footers > Header
  2. Type the Running head: followed by a shortened version of the title (in caps)
  3. Align it to the left
  4. Go to Insert > Page numbers > Top right
  5. Choose the one that starts from page 1

📌 Don’t forget: On the title page, the header says “Running head: TITLE”, but on other pages, it’s just “TITLE”.


Citing Sources in APA Style (In-Text & References)

In-Text Citation Example:

(Smith, 2023)

To insert a citation:

  • Use Tools > Citations and choose APA
  • Click + Add citation source
  • Fill in book, website, or article details
  • Use the Insert button when needed

Creating a References Page

  1. Start a new page at the end (Ctrl + Enter)
  2. Title it References (center-aligned)
  3. Use a hanging indent:
    • Highlight all citations
    • Go to Format > Align & Indent > Indentation Options
    • Select Hanging

Shortcut for Hanging Indent:

OSShortcut
WindowsCtrl + \ (may need customization)
macOSNo default – use Format menu
UbuntuSame as Windows

Keyboard Shortcuts Summary (APA-Related)

ActionWindowsmacOSUbuntu
Double spacingCtrl + 2Cmd + 2Ctrl + 2
Center textCtrl + Shift + ECmd + Shift + ECtrl + Shift + E
New pageCtrl + EnterCmd + EnterCtrl + Enter
Open citationsTools > CitationsTools > CitationsTools > Citations

FAQs – How to Do APA Format on Google Docs

Is there an APA format template in Google Docs?
Yes! Open Google Docs, click “Template Gallery”, and select “APA Format”.

Can I do APA formatting manually?
Absolutely! Set 1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pt font, double spacing, and follow the guide above.

Do I need a running head?
Yes, for student papers it’s usually required unless your professor says otherwise.

How do I format the reference page?
Title it “References”, center it, and use a hanging indent for each entry.

Does Google Docs support APA citation tools?
Yes, go to Tools > Citations and choose APA as your format.

What’s the easiest way to switch to APA format?
Use the built-in APA template in Google Docs to save time and avoid formatting errors.


Conclusion: Master APA Formatting in Google Docs Effortlessly 🎯

With this guide, you’re fully equipped to create properly formatted APA-style documents in Google Docs. Whether you’re a college student writing your thesis or a professional preparing a research article, these steps ensure your document meets the highest academic standards.

APA format doesn’t have to be complicated — especially when you use Google Docs’ built-in features and handy shortcuts. 👨‍🎓👩‍🏫

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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