APA tools: templates, generators and reference managers
Quick answer
The most useful tools for APA are a Word or Google Docs template with the format already set, a reference manager such as Zotero, and, for one-off cases, a citation generator. None replaces a final check: all of them get some details wrong.
In short
Set up a template once and reuse it. Use a reference manager if you write a lot. Always check what any tool generates.
What tools are there for APA?
| Tool | What it does | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Word template | Sets the format once | Word template |
| Google Docs | The same, in the cloud | Google Docs |
| Canva and PowerPoint | Slides with APA citations | Canva and PowerPoint |
| PDF export | Submit without format changes | |
| Citation generators | Build single references | Generators |
| Zotero | Manage sources and bibliography | Zotero |
You can also use this site's reference generator.
How do I choose?
If you hand in few papers, a Word template is enough. For a thesis, a manager like Zotero saves hours and errors. A generator suits a single case, not a full bibliography.
Checklist
- Template saved with margins, font, spacing and indent
- Reference manager for long projects
- Any generator output checked by hand
- Final PDF reviewed before submitting
Guides in this section
- APA format in Word: set up a 7th edition template in 6 steps: How to set up APA 7th edition in Word in six steps: margins, font, spacing, indent, page numbers and heading styles. Save it as a template and reuse it.
- APA format in Google Docs: 7th edition setup, step by step: How to set up APA 7th edition in Google Docs: 1-inch margins, font, double spacing, first-line and hanging indent, page numbers and the built-in citation tool.
- APA in PowerPoint and Canva: citing sources on slides: How to apply APA 7 to PowerPoint and Canva presentations: citations on each slide, image credits, a reference slide and the mistakes to avoid on slides.
- APA 7 PDF: where to find official guides and how to export your paper: Where to find APA 7 guides in PDF legally, why your school's guide matters, and how to export your paper to PDF from Word or Google Docs without losing format.
- APA citation generators compared: what they get right and wrong: A look at popular APA 7 citation generators such as Scribbr, BibGuru, MyBib and QuillBot: what they do well, where they fail and how to check the output.
- Zotero and APA 7: build your bibliography automatically: How to use Zotero for APA 7th edition citations: install it, add the browser connector, use the Word and Google Docs plugin and avoid bibliography errors.
- Free online bibliography manager: projects, folders and 5 styles: A free bibliography manager in your browser: save sources in projects and folders, cite in five styles like APA and MLA, and export your list with no account.
Frequently asked questions
Which tool is best for APA?
For format, your own template in Word or Google Docs. For references, Zotero if you write regularly. For a single citation, a generator, always checked. No tool guarantees a perfect paper.
Are APA templates free?
Word includes free APA templates and you can build your own in a few minutes. Google Docs lets you save a copy as a template. Be wary of sites that charge for what your word processor already does.
Can I use APA in PowerPoint or Canva?
Yes, with adaptations. Slides do not follow APA page format, but they do follow its citation rules: cite author and year on each slide that uses a source and add a references slide at the end.