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The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual (APA 7) introduced significant changes from APA 6 — new rules for how to cite websites, updated author formatting, changes to running heads, and a revised reference list format. Getting every entry right manually is time-consuming and easy to get wrong.
This guide covers the key APA 7 rules and shows how to apply them automatically to your Word document.
What Changed in APA 7 (vs APA 6)
| Element | APA 6 | APA 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Running head | Required for all papers | Only required for manuscripts being submitted for publication |
| Authors listed | Up to 6, then "et al." | Up to 20, then "et al." |
| DOI format | http://dx.doi.org/... |
https://doi.org/... |
| Website citations | Include "Retrieved from" | URL only, no "Retrieved from" (unless content changes) |
| Publisher location | Required for books | Removed |
| Journal article | Volume(Issue), pages | Same, but italicize volume only |
| Bias-free language | Guideline | Expanded chapter with updated terminology |
APA 7 Document Formatting Rules
Beyond citations, APA 7 specifies document layout:
- Font: Times New Roman 12pt, Calibri 11pt, or Arial 11pt
- Line spacing: Double-spaced throughout (including references)
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- Page numbers: Top right of every page, starting from title page
- Paragraph indent: 0.5-inch first-line indent for all body paragraphs
- Heading levels: 5 levels, each with specific formatting
- Abstract: Separate page, no indent on first paragraph, keywords below
- Reference list: Hanging indent (0.5″), double-spaced, alphabetical
How to Auto-Format a Word Document to APA 7
Using the AI Formatter
- Go to sharayeh.com/en/documents
- Upload your
.docxthesis, research paper, or article - Select Academic style
- Choose APA 7 from the citation style dropdown
- Click Auto-Format My Document
- Download your formatted file
The AI applies:
- Double-spacing throughout
- Proper margins
- Consistent heading hierarchy following APA 7 heading levels
- Reformatted reference list with hanging indents and correct capitalization rules
- DOI links formatted to the new
https://doi.org/format - Page numbers in the correct position
APA 7 Reference List Examples
Journal Article
Nguyen, T. T., & Smith, A. B. (2024). The effects of spaced repetition on vocabulary retention. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(3), 412–428. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000741
Book
Brown, C. (2023). Cognitive load and learning design (3rd ed.). Academic Press.
Book Chapter
Johnson, M. R. (2022). Retrieval practice in the classroom. In P. Davis (Ed.), Evidence-based teaching strategies (pp. 88–112). Routledge.
Website
World Health Organization. (2024, March 15). Mental health: Key facts. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health
Dissertation
Li, Y. (2024). Bilingual processing in academic writing [Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.
Common APA 7 Formatting Mistakes
1. Incorrect DOI format
Old: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/...
Correct: https://doi.org/10.1037/...
2. Too many authors before "et al."
APA 7 allows up to 20 authors before truncating with et al. List authors 1–19, then insert "..." and the last author.
3. Adding "Retrieved from" to website citations
APA 7: Just the URL. No "Retrieved from" unless the content is likely to change.
4. Capitalizing article/chapter titles
Only capitalize the first word of the title, first word after a colon, and proper nouns. Do NOT use title case for article titles.
Correct: The effects of spaced repetition on vocabulary retention
Incorrect: The Effects of Spaced Repetition on Vocabulary Retention
5. Not italicizing the journal name and volume
Correct: Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(3), 412–428
Incorrect: Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(3), 412–428
6. Missing hanging indent on references
Every reference in your list should have a 0.5-inch hanging indent — the first line is flush with the margin, subsequent lines are indented 0.5″.
APA 7 in-Text Citation Rules
| Scenario | Format |
|---|---|
| 1–2 authors | (Smith & Jones, 2023) |
| 3+ authors | (Smith et al., 2023) |
| Organization | (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024) → subsequent: (WHO, 2024) |
| Multiple works | (Brown, 2021; Smith, 2023) |
| Specific page | (Smith, 2023, p. 45) |
| Direct quote | (Smith, 2023, p. 45) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does APA 7 require a running head?
Only for manuscripts being submitted for publication. Student papers (theses, class papers) no longer require a running head in APA 7.
Should the word "Abstract" be centered or left-aligned?
Centered, bold, on its own page, followed by the abstract text without a paragraph indent on the first line.
Is there a difference between APA 7 student paper and professional paper format?
Yes. Student papers include the course name, instructor name, and due date after the university name on the title page. Professional papers omit these and add an author note.
Can I use this formatter for a psychology research paper?
Yes. APA 7 is standard in psychology, education, nursing, and social sciences. Select APA 7 from the citation dropdown and the AI applies the full APA 7 document format.
Format your paper to APA 7 automatically: