mla format essay docs

• Is a New iPad Pro Coming Soon?
• Get It Now: Spring Tech Deals at Amazon

How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs

Get more done in less time

In This Article

Jump to a Section

What Is MLA Format?

• Step-by-Step: Use an MLA Format Template in Docs
• Extra: How to Do MLA Format on Docs

How to Set MLA Works Cited in Google Docs

How to create a hanging indent in google docs.

If you use your Google Drive for schoolwork, you should know how to do MLA format on Google Docs . There is a Google Docs template you can use, but it helps to know how to set up MLA format manually as well.

Instructions in this article apply to the web version of Google Docs. The steps are the same for all web browsers and operating systems .

While your instructor may have specific requirements, the general guidelines for MLA format are as follows:

• Size 12 Times New Roman font
• Double-spaced text with no extra spaces between paragraphs
• One-inch page margins on all sides
• A header with your last name and a page number in the top-right of every page
• Your full name, the instructor's name, the course name, and the due date in the top-left of the first page
• A centered title above the body text
• Body paragraphs begin with a 1/2 inch indent
• A Works Cited page at the end of the paper

How to Use an MLA Format Template in Google Docs

Google Docs has some templates available that can help users get a jump on formatting documents. The Google Docs Report MLA add-on is one such template. To set up MLA in Google Docs using this template:

Open a new document and select File > New > From template .

The template gallery will open in a separate browser tab. Scroll down to the Education section and select Report MLA Add-on .

There are also templates for other academic styles such as APA.

A new document will open with dummy text that you can replace with your own. The formatting for the document will already be in place. You won't need to change anything but the words.

How to Do MLA Format on Docs

If you don't trust using a template, or if you have an altered version of MLA format you must stick to, then you can also set up MLA format in Google Docs manually. Once you've set it up, you can also save it as your own, customized template so you don't have to do it again the next time you need the format.

Change the font to Times New Roman and the font size to 12 .

Google Docs uses 1-inch margins on all sides by default, so there is no need to adjust the margins.

Select Insert > Headers & footers > Header .

If you want to remove the headers from your Google Doc later, it's a simple process if you're using Google Docs in a web browser. A little harder if you're using Google Docs on an iOS and Android mobile device

Note that the font for the header changes back to the default. Change it to 12 point Times New Roman , then select Right Align .

Type your last name followed by a space, then select Insert > Page numbers .

Adjust your Page numbers options as needed and then select Apply .

Click or tap anywhere below the header, then select Format > Line Spacing > Double .

Alternatively, you can click the Line spacing icon in the toolbar at the top of the page and choose Double .

Type your name , the instructor's name , the course name , and the due date on separate lines.

Press Enter to go to the next line, then select Center Align and type the title of your paper .

Capitalize the first letter of every major word. Do not use bold, italics, or other text formatting options.

Press Enter to go to the next line, then select Left Align .

Press the Tab key to indent, then start typing your first paragraph. Begin every new paragraph with an indent.

After you finish the body of your paper, select Insert > Break > Page Break to create a blank page for the Works Cited page.

The last page of your paper should begin with the words “Works Cited” (without quotation marks) centered below the heading. The format for each works cited entry is different depending on the format of the source. For example, use this format for articles found on the web:

• Author name (last, first). "Title." Publication, Date (day, month, year). URL. Accessed date.

Therefore, an entry for an online news article may appear as follows:

• Kelion, Leo. "Coronavirus: UK contact-tracing app is ready for Isle of Wight downloads." BBC News, 4, May, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52532435 . Accessed 8 May 2020.

Sources should be alphabetized by the author's last name. All works cited entries should have a hanging indent , which means that each line after the first is indented.

For specific examples of how to put different types of sources in MLA format, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website .

To get a hanging indent in Google Docs for your Works Cited page:

Highlight all of the text on your Works Cited page and select Format > Align & Indent > Indentation options .

In the Indention options dialog box select Hanging from the Special indent dropdown box and then select Apply .

The default ident of 0.5 inches is acceptable for MLA style.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Use APA Format in Google Docs
• How to Do a Hanging Indent in Google Slides
• How to Do a Block Quote in Google Docs
• How to Use Google Docs Brochure Template
• How to Indent on Google Docs
• How to Add Page Numbers in Google Docs
• How to Do a Hanging Indent Google Docs
• How to Remove Header in Google Docs
• How to Create a Hanging Indent in Word
• What Is Google Docs?
• How to Change the Default Formatting Settings in Google Docs
• How to Check for Plagiarism in Google Docs
• How to Edit Google Docs
• How to Alphabetize in Google Docs
• How to Double Space on Google Docs
• How to Change Margins in Google Docs

How to write an MLA format paper in Google Docs using a template or other built-in features

• Google Docs has all the features you need to write a paper in MLA format.
• The basics of MLA format include double-spaced lines, one-inch margins, headers on all pages, and more.
• Google Docs also offers an automatic MLA format template, if you don't want to set it up manually.

Anyone who has had to write an English paper has heard of MLA format. MLA — short for Modern Library Association — is a standardized method for writing academic papers. It lays down specific rules for what the page should look like, which font you use, how you cite your sources, and more.

If you're writing a paper in MLA format, consider using Google Docs. It lets you customize your documents in dozens of ways, making it a great choice for MLA writing.

Here's how to set up MLA format in Google Docs, either manually or with a template.

How to set up MLA format in Google Docs

MLA format has a variety of different rules and guidelines. Here are the most important ones, along with tips on how to follow those rules in Google Docs.

• The font needs to be size 12, and written in a "readable" font.

Contrary to popular belief, MLA doesn't require you to use Times New Roman, just a "readable" or "legible" font. That said, Times New Roman is a great choice for this, and comes installed in Google Docs by default. 

You can find it in the font menu at the top of the screen, and you can change the font size with the menu next to it.

• Every page needs to have one-inch margins on all sides.

You probably don't need to worry about this one — new Google Docs documents have one-inch margins by default. 

But if you want to double-check, or if you've been told to not use one-inch margins, you can change the margins using the Page Setup menu or ruler feature .

• All body text needs to be double-spaced.

There's a Line & paragraph spacing menu in the toolbar above your document. Select Double in this menu to turn on double-spacing . If you've already written some text without double-spacing, highlight it before you turn on double-spacing.

• Every page needs a header in the top-right corner with your last name and the current page number.

Google Docs lets you place both headers and footers on any page. You can add automatic page numbers through the Insert menu , and then double-click the headers to type your last name next to them.

Remember that they need to be in the same font and font size as the rest of your paper.

( And if you ever need to remove the header, you can do that quickly too .)

• The paper's title should be centered one line above your first paragraph.

Google Docs has four alignment options, which you can find in the toolbar above your document. Click the second option — Center align — to move your cursor to the center of the screen.

• Your full name, your instructor's name, the name of the class, and the current date should be written in the top-left corner of the first page, each on a separate line.

Left align is the default alignment setting, so you shouldn't have to do anything special to write in the top-left. But if you've changed the alignment, you can change it back using the alignment options in the toolbar.

• Body paragraphs all begin with a half-inch indent.

Google Docs has a feature that lets you automatically indent paragraphs — but it's probably easier to just hit the Tab key on your keyboard at the start of every paragraph.

• Your paper should end with a Works Cited page, and each entry should be written with a hanging indent.

Once you've finished writing your paper and want to move onto the Works Cited, make sure to create a new page . The Works Cited needs to be on its own page (or pages, depending on the length).

The words Works Cited should be centered on the very first line of the page. You can center the words using the alignment options mentioned above.

Finally, list your citations in alphabetical order, and use the ruler to give each one a hanging indent — in other words, every line after the first needs to be indented .

How to use Google Docs' MLA format template

While you can format your paper manually, Google does offer an MLA template. This will let you meet most of the formatting requirements automatically, although you'll likely need to change some of it.

To use this template:

1. Head to the Google Docs homepage and click Template gallery in the top-right.

2. Scroll down the templates page until you reach the Education section. In this section, click MLA [Add-on] .

3. A page will open with a two-page paper already written in fake Lorem Ipsum language. Most of the formatting is there, so you just need to replace the pre-written words with your own.

You can find this template in the mobile app by tapping the plus sign icon in the bottom-right, and then selecting Choose template .

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

• Main content

How to Write in the MLA Format With Google Docs

If you need to apply MLA formatting to your academic or business paper, here's how to meet all the requirements in Google Docs.

If writing a paper wasn't complicated enough, you often have to contend with specific formatting requirements. Have you been told that your paper must use the MLA format? Do you have any idea what that means or how to apply it? Don't worry, we're here to help.

We're going to explain what the MLA format is and how to apply it to your documents in Google Docs, both through a template and manual set-up.

What Is the MLA Format?

MLA stands for Modern Language Association. According to the MLA website , it's a group that established itself in 1883 with the aim to "strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature". As part of the group's work, it publishes a style guide that many educational establishments and businesses adhere to.

If you're asked to use the MLA format, you should clarify the specific expectations. Though MLA sell a handbook, your school or organization may have slightly different requirements.

When it comes to setting up a Google Docs document to use the MLA format, these are the key formatting points to account for, as taken from the MLA Handbook :

• A one-inch margin on all sides of the text.
• A readable typeface, between 11 and 13 points in size, where the regular style contrasts clearly with the italic. Times New Roman is a good choice, though not a requirement.
• Double-space the entire document.
• Indent the first line of every paragraph half an inch from the left margin.
• On the right side of the header, enter your surname, followed by a space, and then consecutive page numbers. This should be half an inch from the top and flush with the right margin.
• Also on the first page, beneath the details above, place and center your title. It doesn't need any formatting, like bold or underline.
• Cite your works at the end of the paper on a new page. Title it "Works Cited", centered and an inch from the top of the page. Each entry should be flush with the left margin, with additional lines indented half an inch from the left margin.

How to Apply the MLA Format in Google Docs With a Template

Google Docs offers a range of templates so that you don't have to manually set up common formatting rules. Handily, one such template is for the MLA format. Here's how to use it:

• With a Google Doc document open, go to File > New > From template .
• This opens the template gallery. Scroll down and look for the Education header.
• Click Report MLA . This opens a document in the MLA format, with dummy text for you to replace.
• On the right-hand sidebar, you'll see information about the EasyBib add-on , which is an automatic bibliography citation generator compatible with the template. Click Add to Docs if you want to use it, otherwise dismiss the sidebar with the X in the top-right.

Remember, you may need to follow slightly different MLA rules than what the template provides, so double-check everything is in order before submitting your document.

How to Apply the MLA Format in Google Docs Manually

Alternatively, you can apply the MLA formatting yourself. This is a good option if you have slightly different requirements from what the template offers, or if you want to be completely certain that you've applied all necessary formatting rules.

1. One-Inch Page Margin

Google Docs uses a one-inch margin on all sides of the document by default. However, you can double-check this:

• From the top menu, click File .
• Select Page setup .
• Within Margins , ensure everything is set to 1 . If Google Docs is using centimeters, it should be 2.54 .

2. Readable Typeface

By default, Google Docs uses Arial at size 11. Remember, MLA requires a readable type face, not necessarily Times New Roman at size 12, but many people prefer this. As such, to change the font in Google Docs :

• Click the Font dropdown in the top toolbar and select Times New Roman .
• Click the Font size dropdown in the top toolbar and select 12 .

3. Double-Spacing

To apply double-spacing to all your text:

• Click the Line & paragraph spacing button in the top toolbar. It's to the right of the alignment buttons and to the left of the list buttons.
• Select Double .

4. Page Numbers

You need your surname and page numbers in the right of the header:

• Double-click at the top of the document to edit the header.
• Your header is separate from the rest of your document, so you will need to apply your font face and size again.
• In the top toolbar, click Right align or press Ctrl + Shift + R .
• Type your surname followed by a space.
• From the top menu, go to Insert > Page numbers and select the diagram that shows the page numbers in the top-right.

5. Course Information and Title

The information about yourself, your course, and the title of your document should appear on page one:

• In the body of the document, select Left align from the top toolbar or press Ctrl + Shift + L .
• Type the necessary course details, pressing Enter after each to insert a new line.
• Press Enter after the final detail (usually the date) to insert a line break, then enable Center align from the top toolbar (or press Ctrl + Shift + E ).
• Type your title using title case, remembering to apply no extra formatting.

6. Indent Paragraphs

The first line of every paragraph needs to be indented by half an inch:

• Press Enter to place a line break after your title, if you haven't already, and return to Left align ( Ctrl + Shift + L ).
• From the top toolbar, select Format > Align and indent > Indentation options .
• Use the Special indent dropdown and select First line .
• Input 0.5 inches or 1.27cm.

7. Works Cited

Finally, your list of cited works must be on a new page, with a half-inch indent for overflow lines:

• From the top toolbar, go to Insert > Break > Page break or press Ctrl + Enter .
• Enable Center align from the top toolbar (or press Ctrl + Shift + E ) and type the header Works Cited .
• Return to Left align ( Ctrl + Shift + L ) and enter all your citations.
• Highlight all the citations and, from the top toolbar, select Format > Align and indent > Indentation options .
• Use the Special indent dropdown and select Hanging .

Turn In Your MLA Formatted Paper With Confidence

Now that you've applied all the necessary formatting, the only thing left to do is write. Google Docs saves automatically, so you don't need to worry about losing your work. Just remember to keep track of everything that you want to cite at the end. Good luck on your paper!

Using MLA Format

Document Sources

Works cited quick guide.

Learn how to use the MLA format template.

Digital Citation Tool

Build citations with our interactive template.

In-Text Citations

Get help with in-text citations.

Endnotes and Footnotes

Read our guide about using notes in MLA style.

Set Up Your Paper

Setting up a research paper.

Get our guidelines for setting up academic research papers.

Formatting Captions

Learn how to format captions.

Sample Papers

Read sample papers written in MLA style.

Annotated Bibliographies

Learn how to set up an annotated bibliography.

Get Writing and Teaching Tips

Ask the mla.

Browse answers and ask MLA editors questions.

Writing Tips

Improve your writing with these suggestions.

Teaching Resources and Advice

Get teaching advice, lesson plans, and activities.

Test your knowledge with these fun quizzes.

Recent questions from Ask the MLA

How do i cite a work that has incorrect citation information on its cover sheet.

Some works, especially works contained in databases, may list citation information for the work on a cover sheet or in a footer. If that citation… Read More

How do I cite Twitter now that its name has changed to X?

In 2023 the social media platform Twitter changed its name to X . What does this change mean for citations? When you cite a post published… Read More

How do I cite several e-mails sent on the same day to the same correspondent?

If you are citing several e-mails sent on the same day to the same correspondent, use the subject line of the e-mail to differentiate between… Read More

What should I do if an author’s last name is not provided in a source?

If an author’s last name is not provided in the source you are consulting, you may opt to follow the guidance provided in section 5.122… Read More

How do I cite one person’s testimony in a congressional hearing?

Your source for congressional testimony may be a transcript, audio recording, or video recording of all or part of a hearing. Style each source using… Read More

How do I cite a video game?

To cite a video game, follow the template of core elements, as you would for any other source. Below we provide in-depth explanations for each… Read More

Sign up for our daily newsletter

• Privacy Policy
• Advertise with Us

How to Write In MLA Format In Google Docs

Whether you are a student trying to deliver your next A+ paper or an aspiring scholar looking to share your ideas with the world, you can utilize the MLA format to establish credibility behind your content while also bringing order to even the most complex concepts. Thankfully, Google Docs contains everything you need to make the grade when it comes to perfecting the MLA format. Ready to get fancy with your formatting?

Tip : this guide follows standard MLA formatting rules according to the widely-used Purdue OWL guidelines . It is strongly recommended that you clarify the formatting requirements with your instructor, publisher, department, etc.

MLA Format at a Glance

1. one-inch margins, 2. times new roman, 3. doubled-spaced, 4. additional mla format requirements, 5. works cited, frequently asked questions.

The easiest way to interpret MLA format, short for Modern Language Association format, is to think of it as a style guide for research and academic papers. Much like the way social media templates or distinct company branding can bring uniformity to content, the goal of MLA format is to optimize written works for maximum readability and optimal reference. Listed here are the key aspects of MLA format that you will need to remember:

• One-inch margins on all sides
• Times New Roman font (12 pt.)
• Double-spaced body text
• Centered title text
• Left-aligned name, instructor name, and due date at the top of the first page
• Indent the first word of every paragraph by half inch
• Indent block quotes by one inch
• Llast name and page number aligned to the top-right corner of every page
• Separate Works Cited page using hanging indentation

Tip : this guide covers MLA formatting instructions for tools that are accessible via the Google Docs website and not the Google Docs app. Accessing Google Docs via the Web enables more versatile and straightforward formatting options that will save you considerable time.

Before you start typing in Google Docs, you will need to make sure to toggle one-inch margins for the bottom, top, left, and right sides of your paper. Follow these steps to get started:

• Select “File” from the list of menu options in the task bar.

• Click on “Page setup” in the drop-down menu.

• Ensure that the margins for the top, bottom, left, and right side are set to “1” and apply to the “Whole document.”

• After you are finished adding these specifications, select “OK.”

Tip: would you prefer to handwrite your text first? Read on to learn how to convert your handwriting to typed text on Android .

Technically, MLA format only requires that you use a “legible” font, which debunks the myth that Times New Roman is the only font allowed in MLA format. Nonetheless, Times New Roman remains a popular choice for writers, as it is a serif typeface.

Studies show that using serif-clad typefaces, aka typefaces with small lines or strokes attached to the ends of each character, can optimize long passages of text for optimum readability. Follow these steps to get started:

• Click on the font menu highlighted below. The default font called “Arial” is a sans-serif font, so you will need to change it before you can start writing your MLA document.

• Scroll down to the bottom of the font list and select “Times New Roman.”

• Use the -/+ icons to the right of the font tool to set your point size to 12.

Tip: learn how to add a text box in Google Docs .

MLA format requires that all of your body text be double-spaced. If the idea of tediously jamming away at the space bar enough times to send your thumbs into a spasm has you dreading your next term paper, rest assured that you can automatically double-space your text in just a few clicks with Google Docs, as you will see in the below instructions.

• Select “Format” in the taskbar.

• From the drop-down list of items, select “Line & paragraph spacing,” then choose “Double.”

Once you have added headers and a title, writing your next essay will feel like clockwork. Documents written in MLA format must include your last name printed before each page number in the top-right corner of every page. You can have Google Docs number and initial each page for you. Follow the instructions below to add your surname and page numbers, as well as other requirements.

• Select “Insert” from the taskbar.

• Click on “Page numbers” and select the upper-left corner option.

• Type your last name on the first page in front of the page number. You will only have to do this once, as Google Docs will automatically label each subsequent page for you.

• Locate the alignment options (left, center, right, justify) highlighted below and ensure that your text is aligned to the left before you construct your main header, which should read as follows from top to bottom: Your full name , your instructor’s name , the name of the class , and the current date .

Tip : note that some instructors will ask you to write the due date of the assignment and not the date it was assigned in your header.

• Use the text alignment toggle to add a centered title for your paper.

• For each new paragraph, including your very first paragraph, use the tab key to automatically add the required half-inch indent.

Good to know: learn how to improve your writing with OneLook .

Before you wrap up your document, a crucial element of the MLA format is a separate Works Cited page that displays the sources that you referenced throughout your essay. In addition to listing your sources in alphabetical order, the Purdue OWL guide for MLA Works Cited Page: Basic Format describes how each citation should be formatted based on origin, source, and media type. Follow these general rules:

• Use the alignment tool to center the Works Cited header.

• Add hanging indents by indenting every subsequent line of text following the first line of each entry.

Is there a way to automatically add hanging indents in Google Docs?

Yes. Highlight the body text on your Works Cited page, then select “Format -> Align & Indent -> Special Indent: Hanging -> Apply.” You can also use the built-in Ruler tool to change margins on Google Docs .

Does Google Docs include any other built-in tools for students?

Yes. You can follow our comprehensive guide to discover how to edit Google Docs and other tips , with everything from how to monitor word count to how to find and replace text. You can learn how to add graphs, watermarks, and custom backgrounds for your documents.

How can I be more productive when writing in MLA format in Google Docs?

Perhaps the best way to speed up your workflow is to study our Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts Cheatsheet . While practicing keyboard commands may seem cumbersome at first, you will spend more time writing and less time using your cursor to dip in and out of menus once you have committed just a handful of these shortcuts to memory.

Does Google Docs offer a built-in template for MLA format?

Yes. If you are in a pinch, you can save some time by navigating to the “Google Docs homepage -> Template Gallery -> Education -> MLA [Add-on].” While using Google’s MLA template may save you a few steps, note that it is easy to overlook several formatting cues without a manual checklist to go through as you construct your document. The Google Docs template for MLA format additionally overlooks a number of common requirements set by most professors. When using any template, something as simple as adjusting the font can offset key spacing parameters.

Image credit: Unsplash . All screenshots taken by Brahm Shank.

Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox

Self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur and tech enthusiast Brahm Shank is captivated by the impact of consumer tech: “It’s profoundly moving when people discover that the phone in their pocket or the tiny computer on their wrist has the power to enrich their lives in ways they never imagined.” Apple, Inc. and its unique position at the intersection of technology and the creative arts, resonates deeply with Brahm and his passion for helping people unleash their potential using technology. Over the years, Brahm has held various podcasts - including famed technologist David Pogue of The New York Times on topics such as Big Tech and digital wellness.

How to Put MLA Format on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Putting MLA format on Google Docs might sound like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple once you know the steps. By following a few simple guidelines, you can make sure your document is properly formatted according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. This will not only make your work look professional, but it’ll also ensure you’re following the academic standards required by many educational institutions. So let’s get started!

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Put MLA Format on Google Docs

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re aiming for. MLA format is a set of guidelines for writing research papers. This includes using a specific font, size, margins, and heading structure. By following these steps, your Google Doc will be ready to meet all these requirements.

Step 1: Set the Font and Size

Choose ‘Times New Roman’ as your font and set the font size to 12.

When you open a new Google Doc, the default font is usually ‘Arial’ and the size is 11. For MLA format, you need to change this. Click on the font drop-down menu on the toolbar and select ‘Times New Roman.’ Then, click on the font size drop-down and select ’12.’

Step 2: Set the Margins

Change the document margins to 1 inch on all sides.

Go to the ‘File’ menu, select ‘Page setup,’ and a new window will pop up. Here, you will see fields for the margins. Make sure all of them (top, bottom, left, and right) are set to 1 inch, which is the standard for MLA format.

Step 3: Add a Header

Insert a header with your last name and page number.

Click on ‘Insert’ in the top menu, choose ‘Header & page number,’ then ‘Header.’ A header section will appear at the top of your document. Type your last name, press the space bar, then go back to the ‘Insert’ menu, select ‘Header & page number’ again, and this time choose ‘Page number’ and then ‘Top of page.’

Step 4: Create the Title Block

Type your name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date on separate lines, aligning them to the left.

Hit ‘Enter’ a few times until you are about a third down the page. Then, type your full name, hit ‘Enter,’ type your instructor’s name, hit ‘Enter,’ type the course name and number, hit ‘Enter,’ and finally, type the date in the Day Month Year format.

Step 5: Input the Title and Body

Center the title of your paper and then begin writing your body paragraphs with a left alignment.

After entering your title block, hit ‘Enter’ twice to move two lines down. Then, change the alignment of your text to ‘Center’ by clicking on the center align button in the toolbar. Type the title of your paper, hit ‘Enter’ once, then change the alignment back to ‘Left’ and start writing your content.

Once you complete these steps, your Google Doc will be in MLA format. You’ll have the right font, size, margins, header, title block, and alignments. This ensures your paper is easy to read and meets the standards for MLA style.

Tips: How to Put MLA Format on Google Docs

• Always double-check the alignment of each section to ensure it’s in the correct format.
• Remember to use double-spacing throughout the entire document.
• Avoid adding extra spaces between paragraphs; MLA format uses a uniform double-spacing.
• If you’re including a Works Cited page, start it on a new page at the end of your document.
• Use the ‘Tab’ key to indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i ensure the entire document is double-spaced.

To double-space your document, highlight all text, click on the line spacing icon in the toolbar, and select ‘Double.’

Can I change the default settings so all my documents start in MLA format?

Yes, after setting up one document in MLA format, you can save these settings as a template for future use.

How do I create a hanging indent for my Works Cited page?

Highlight your citation, go to ‘Format,’ then ‘Align & indent,’ and select ‘Indentation options.’ Under ‘Special,’ choose ‘Hanging.’

Why is Times New Roman the preferred font for MLA?

Times New Roman is a serif font that is widely accepted in academia for its readability and professional look.

What should I do if my instructor has specific formatting requests that differ from standard MLA?

Always follow your instructor’s guidelines first. The steps provided are based on standard MLA format, but your instructor’s preferences should take precedence.

• Set the font to ‘Times New Roman’ and the size to 12.
• Adjust the document margins to 1 inch on all sides.
• Add a header with your last name and page number.
• Create a title block with your information.
• Center your paper’s title and then write the body with a left alignment.

By following the steps above, you can easily format your Google Doc according to MLA style. It’s a straightforward process that can significantly improve the presentation and professionalism of your work. Whether you’re a student or a researcher, mastering MLA format is an essential skill that will serve you well throughout your academic and professional career. Remember, the key to perfecting your MLA format on Google Docs is attention to detail and consistency. With practice, it will become second nature. If you ever find yourself stuck or unsure, there are plenty of resources available online, including the MLA Handbook, which provides in-depth guidance on every aspect of MLA formatting. So go ahead, give it a try, and watch your documents transform into well-structured works that conform to academic standards.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

Share this:

Join our free newsletter.

Featured guides and deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Related posts:

• How to Do a Hanging Indent on Google Docs
• How to Insert Text Box in Google Docs
• How to Subscript in Google Docs (An Easy 4 Step Guide)
• How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Do MLA Format on Word 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Delete a Table in Google Docs (A Quick 5 Step Guide)
• How to Double Space on Google Docs – iPad, iPhone, and Desktop
• How to Make a Header Row in Google Sheets
• How to Center a Table in Google Docs (2023 Guide)
• Can I Change the Font on the Google Docs IPhone App?
• How to Insert a Horizontal Line in Google Docs
• How to Insert a Page Break in Google Docs
• How to Remove Strikethrough in Google Docs (A Simple 4 Step Guide)
• Can I Convert a PDF to a Google Doc? (An Easy 5 Step Guide)
• How to Make Google Docs Landscape
• Google Docs Space After Paragraph – How to Add or Remove
• How to Create a Folder in Google Docs
• How to Change Margins in Google Docs
• How to Insert a Header on Only the First Page in Google Docs: A Guide
• 1 Inch Margins Google Docs Guide

How To Use MLA Format In Google Docs

Now that you've completed your essay, you're wondering if you've formatted it correctly. Use Google Docs to see how you can manage it easier.

So you have been given your first research paper to write at a university level, and the requirements are MLA Format - you immediately start to panic because you have no idea where to start! Have no fear.

The MLA format standard defines what sort of paper to use, the style of typeface, and how to format your writing and citations.

If you follow the MLA format properly, you can rest assured your research paper will be easier to read and understand.

Below is an easy 'go-to' guide for working with MLA format in Google Docs.

How To Use The MLA Format In Google Docs 📝

How to set mla works cited in google docs 🗣️, how to use an mla format template in google docs 🤷, mla format in google docs: faq 💬, wrapping up 🎁.

Important disclosure: we're proud affiliates of some tools mentioned in this guide. If you click an affiliate link and subsequently make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (you pay nothing extra). For more information, read our affiliate disclosure .

MLA style or MLA format is a set of guidelines for formatting academic or research papers. It was initially introduced by the Modern Languages Association and used in literature and language.

The general guidelines for MLA format are as follows:

• Text Size: 12
• Font: Times New Roman font
• Spacing: Double-spaced text with no extra spaces between paragraphs
• Margins: One-inch page margins on all sides
• Header: A header with your last name and a page number in the top-right of every page
• Text: Your full name, the instructor's name, the course name, and the due date in the top-left of the first page
• Title: A centered title above the body text
• Indents: Body paragraphs begin with a 1/2-inch indent
• Citations: A Works Cited page at the end of the paper

If the format is MLA and you’re creating your work in Google Docs, we’ve got you covered….

• Open an existing document or a new document in Google Docs.
• Adjust your page settings according to the general MLA format guidelines - change the font to ' Times New Roman' and size 12 .

3.  Navigate to the ' Insert' tab.

4.  From the drop-down list, click on ' Headers & Footers' and proceed to click on ' Headers.' The shortcut for this function is (Ctrl + Alt + O) or (Ctrl + Alt + H) .

5.  Type in your last name, followed by a space. Navigate to the 'Insert' tab.

6.  From the drop-down list, click on ' Page Numbers.'

You can adjust the page numbers according to how you want your document formatted .

👉 Once completed, click anywhere outside of the header.

7.  Navigate to the ' Format' tab

8. Click on 'Line & Paragraph Spacing from the drop-down list.' Proceed to select the ' Double' option. Alternatively, select the ' Line & Paragraph Spacing' icon between the ' Justify Alignment' and the ' Checklist' options.

9.  Type your full name, the instructor's name, the course name, and the due date in the top-left of the first page.

10.  Once the information has been inserted, click ' Enter.' On the new line, click on ' Center Align' - where you will place your title for this writing piece.

11.  Click 'Enter' once again to enter a new line. Click on ' Left Align' and then the ' Tab' key to start typing your first paragraph.

You have to begin every new paragraph with an indent .

12.  Once you have entered the body of text into your document, navigate to ' Insert.'

13.  From the drop-down list, click on ' Break' and ' Page Break.' Inserting page breaks ensures a blank page is included for cited works.

The last page of your paper should begin with the words ' Works Cited' (without quotation marks) centered below the heading. The format for each work cited entry differs depending on the source's format.

For example, use this format for articles found on the web:

• Author Name (Last, First). "Title." Publication, Date (Day, Month, Year). URL. Accessed Date.
• Navigate to the ' Tools' tab.

2.  From the drop-down list, click on ' Citations.'

3.  The pop-out box will appear on the right. From the drop-down menu, click on ' MLA.'

All sources are available in the citation tools section for easy access - how convenient!

4.  Place your cursor where you want to cite the source, then click on ' Cite.'

5.  When you’ve finished your paper, navigate to the page break you initially inserted. Go to the citations tool and click ' Insert Works Cited.'

Google Docs even adds the hanging indentation, which you need for your Works Cited page in MLA format.

The simplest and quickest way to format your paper is to use pre-formatted templates . Google Docs has many templates in different academic styles, including MLA, to help users jump on formatting documents.

• Open a new document in Google Docs by choosing a template in the ' Template Gallery.' Alternatively, navigate to ' File,' click on ' New,' and select ' From Template Gallery.'

You may need to go to the checklist above and double-check that everything is formatted correctly .

Are MLA formats used often? Yes. It is generally used in the humanities, literature, art, and theatre teachings and professions.

Why do some institutions use the MLA format? This particular format creates rules for people to understand the writers' work better and prevent plagiarism that is easy to read and understand.

What are the main components within an MLA format? The body, endnotes (if applicable), and the works cited.

Correctly formatting a paper or essay in Google Docs may be hard work. But, soon enough, it will become second nature. This guide will help you get the fundamentals of the MLA style guide right.

Finally, don’t forget that Google Docs has useful features that could help you during the writing, editing, and formatting.

Explore more about what Google Docs can do. View our tutorial gallery for more niche tricks and tips.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to be notified of new content on marketsplash..

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (9 th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

Guidelines for referring to the works of others in your text using MLA style are covered throughout the  MLA Handbook  and in chapter 7 of the  MLA Style Manual . Both books provide extensive examples, so it's a good idea to consult them if you want to become even more familiar with MLA guidelines or if you have a particular reference question.

Basic in-text citation rules

In MLA Style, referring to the works of others in your text is done using parenthetical citations . This method involves providing relevant source information in parentheses whenever a sentence uses a quotation or paraphrase. Usually, the simplest way to do this is to put all of the source information in parentheses at the end of the sentence (i.e., just before the period). However, as the examples below will illustrate, there are situations where it makes sense to put the parenthetical elsewhere in the sentence, or even to leave information out.

General Guidelines

• The source information required in a parenthetical citation depends (1) upon the source medium (e.g. print, web, DVD) and (2) upon the source’s entry on the Works Cited page.
• Any source information that you provide in-text must correspond to the source information on the Works Cited page. More specifically, whatever signal word or phrase you provide to your readers in the text must be the first thing that appears on the left-hand margin of the corresponding entry on the Works Cited page.

In-text citations: Author-page style

MLA format follows the author-page method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear on your Works Cited page. The author's name may appear either in the sentence itself or in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase, but the page number(s) should always appear in the parentheses, not in the text of your sentence. For example:

Both citations in the examples above, (263) and (Wordsworth 263), tell readers that the information in the sentence can be located on page 263 of a work by an author named Wordsworth. If readers want more information about this source, they can turn to the Works Cited page, where, under the name of Wordsworth, they would find the following information:

Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads . Oxford UP, 1967.

In-text citations for print sources with known author

For print sources like books, magazines, scholarly journal articles, and newspapers, provide a signal word or phrase (usually the author’s last name) and a page number. If you provide the signal word/phrase in the sentence, you do not need to include it in the parenthetical citation.

These examples must correspond to an entry that begins with Burke, which will be the first thing that appears on the left-hand margin of an entry on the Works Cited page:

Burke, Kenneth. Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and Method . University of California Press, 1966.

In-text citations for print sources by a corporate author

When a source has a corporate author, it is acceptable to use the name of the corporation followed by the page number for the in-text citation. You should also use abbreviations (e.g., nat'l for national) where appropriate, so as to avoid interrupting the flow of reading with overly long parenthetical citations.

In-text citations for sources with non-standard labeling systems

If a source uses a labeling or numbering system other than page numbers, such as a script or poetry, precede the citation with said label. When citing a poem, for instance, the parenthetical would begin with the word “line”, and then the line number or range. For example, the examination of William Blake’s poem “The Tyger” would be cited as such:

The speaker makes an ardent call for the exploration of the connection between the violence of nature and the divinity of creation. “In what distant deeps or skies. / Burnt the fire of thine eyes," they ask in reference to the tiger as they attempt to reconcile their intimidation with their relationship to creationism (lines 5-6).

Longer labels, such as chapters (ch.) and scenes (sc.), should be abbreviated.

In-text citations for print sources with no known author

When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name, following these guidelines.

Place the title in quotation marks if it's a short work (such as an article) or italicize it if it's a longer work (e.g. plays, books, television shows, entire Web sites) and provide a page number if it is available.

Titles longer than a standard noun phrase should be shortened into a noun phrase by excluding articles. For example, To the Lighthouse would be shortened to Lighthouse .

If the title cannot be easily shortened into a noun phrase, the title should be cut after the first clause, phrase, or punctuation:

In this example, since the reader does not know the author of the article, an abbreviated title appears in the parenthetical citation, and the full title of the article appears first at the left-hand margin of its respective entry on the Works Cited page. Thus, the writer includes the title in quotation marks as the signal phrase in the parenthetical citation in order to lead the reader directly to the source on the Works Cited page. The Works Cited entry appears as follows:

"The Impact of Global Warming in North America." Global Warming: Early Signs . 1999. www.climatehotmap.org/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2009.

If the title of the work begins with a quotation mark, such as a title that refers to another work, that quote or quoted title can be used as the shortened title. The single quotation marks must be included in the parenthetical, rather than the double quotation.

Parenthetical citations and Works Cited pages, used in conjunction, allow readers to know which sources you consulted in writing your essay, so that they can either verify your interpretation of the sources or use them in their own scholarly work.

Author-page citation for classic and literary works with multiple editions

Page numbers are always required, but additional citation information can help literary scholars, who may have a different edition of a classic work, like Marx and Engels's  The Communist Manifesto . In such cases, give the page number of your edition (making sure the edition is listed in your Works Cited page, of course) followed by a semicolon, and then the appropriate abbreviations for volume (vol.), book (bk.), part (pt.), chapter (ch.), section (sec.), or paragraph (par.). For example:

Author-page citation for works in an anthology, periodical, or collection

When you cite a work that appears inside a larger source (for instance, an article in a periodical or an essay in a collection), cite the author of the  internal source (i.e., the article or essay). For example, to cite Albert Einstein's article "A Brief Outline of the Theory of Relativity," which was published in  Nature  in 1921, you might write something like this:

See also our page on documenting periodicals in the Works Cited .

Citing authors with same last names

Sometimes more information is necessary to identify the source from which a quotation is taken. For instance, if two or more authors have the same last name, provide both authors' first initials (or even the authors' full name if different authors share initials) in your citation. For example:

Citing a work by multiple authors

For a source with two authors, list the authors’ last names in the text or in the parenthetical citation:

Corresponding Works Cited entry:

Best, David, and Sharon Marcus. “Surface Reading: An Introduction.” Representations , vol. 108, no. 1, Fall 2009, pp. 1-21. JSTOR, doi:10.1525/rep.2009.108.1.1

For a source with three or more authors, list only the first author’s last name, and replace the additional names with et al.

Franck, Caroline, et al. “Agricultural Subsidies and the American Obesity Epidemic.” American Journal of Preventative Medicine , vol. 45, no. 3, Sept. 2013, pp. 327-333.

Citing multiple works by the same author

If you cite more than one work by an author, include a shortened title for the particular work from which you are quoting to distinguish it from the others. Put short titles of books in italics and short titles of articles in quotation marks.

Citing two articles by the same author :

Citing two books by the same author :

Additionally, if the author's name is not mentioned in the sentence, format your citation with the author's name followed by a comma, followed by a shortened title of the work, and, when appropriate, the page number(s):

Citing multivolume works

If you cite from different volumes of a multivolume work, always include the volume number followed by a colon. Put a space after the colon, then provide the page number(s). (If you only cite from one volume, provide only the page number in parentheses.)

Citing the Bible

In your first parenthetical citation, you want to make clear which Bible you're using (and underline or italicize the title), as each version varies in its translation, followed by book (do not italicize or underline), chapter, and verse. For example:

If future references employ the same edition of the Bible you’re using, list only the book, chapter, and verse in the parenthetical citation:

John of Patmos echoes this passage when describing his vision (Rev. 4.6-8).

Citing indirect sources

Sometimes you may have to use an indirect source. An indirect source is a source cited within another source. For such indirect quotations, use "qtd. in" to indicate the source you actually consulted. For example:

Note that, in most cases, a responsible researcher will attempt to find the original source, rather than citing an indirect source.

Citing transcripts, plays, or screenplays

Sources that take the form of a dialogue involving two or more participants have special guidelines for their quotation and citation. Each line of dialogue should begin with the speaker's name written in all capitals and indented half an inch. A period follows the name (e.g., JAMES.) . After the period, write the dialogue. Each successive line after the first should receive an additional indentation. When another person begins speaking, start a new line with that person's name indented only half an inch. Repeat this pattern each time the speaker changes. You can include stage directions in the quote if they appear in the original source.

Conclude with a parenthetical that explains where to find the excerpt in the source. Usually, the author and title of the source can be given in a signal phrase before quoting the excerpt, so the concluding parenthetical will often just contain location information like page numbers or act/scene indicators.

Here is an example from O'Neill's  The Iceman Cometh.

WILLIE. (Pleadingly) Give me a drink, Rocky. Harry said it was all right. God, I need a drink.

ROCKY. Den grab it. It's right under your nose.

WILLIE. (Avidly) Thanks. (He takes the bottle with both twitching hands and tilts it to his lips and gulps down the whiskey in big swallows.) (1.1)

Citing non-print or sources from the Internet

With more and more scholarly work published on the Internet, you may have to cite sources you found in digital environments. While many sources on the Internet should not be used for scholarly work (reference the OWL's  Evaluating Sources of Information  resource), some Web sources are perfectly acceptable for research. When creating in-text citations for electronic, film, or Internet sources, remember that your citation must reference the source on your Works Cited page.

Sometimes writers are confused with how to craft parenthetical citations for electronic sources because of the absence of page numbers. However, these sorts of entries often do not require a page number in the parenthetical citation. For electronic and Internet sources, follow the following guidelines:

• Include in the text the first item that appears in the Work Cited entry that corresponds to the citation (e.g. author name, article name, website name, film name).
• Do not provide paragraph numbers or page numbers based on your Web browser’s print preview function.
• Unless you must list the Web site name in the signal phrase in order to get the reader to the appropriate entry, do not include URLs in-text. Only provide partial URLs such as when the name of the site includes, for example, a domain name, like  CNN.com  or  Forbes.com,  as opposed to writing out http://www.cnn.com or http://www.forbes.com.

Miscellaneous non-print sources

Two types of non-print sources you may encounter are films and lectures/presentations:

In the two examples above “Herzog” (a film’s director) and “Yates” (a presentor) lead the reader to the first item in each citation’s respective entry on the Works Cited page:

Herzog, Werner, dir. Fitzcarraldo . Perf. Klaus Kinski. Filmverlag der Autoren, 1982.

Yates, Jane. "Invention in Rhetoric and Composition." Gaps Addressed: Future Work in Rhetoric and Composition, CCCC, Palmer House Hilton, 2002. Address.

Electronic sources

Electronic sources may include web pages and online news or magazine articles:

In the first example (an online magazine article), the writer has chosen not to include the author name in-text; however, two entries from the same author appear in the Works Cited. Thus, the writer includes both the author’s last name and the article title in the parenthetical citation in order to lead the reader to the appropriate entry on the Works Cited page (see below).

In the second example (a web page), a parenthetical citation is not necessary because the page does not list an author, and the title of the article, “MLA Formatting and Style Guide,” is used as a signal phrase within the sentence. If the title of the article was not named in the sentence, an abbreviated version would appear in a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence. Both corresponding Works Cited entries are as follows:

Taylor, Rumsey. "Fitzcarraldo." Slant , 13 Jun. 2003, www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/fitzcarraldo/. Accessed 29 Sep. 2009. 

"MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL , 2 Aug. 2016, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/. Accessed 2 April 2018.

Multiple citations

To cite multiple sources in the same parenthetical reference, separate the citations by a semi-colon:

Time-based media sources

When creating in-text citations for media that has a runtime, such as a movie or podcast, include the range of hours, minutes and seconds you plan to reference. For example: (00:02:15-00:02:35).

When a citation is not needed

Common sense and ethics should determine your need for documenting sources. You do not need to give sources for familiar proverbs, well-known quotations, or common knowledge (For example, it is expected that U.S. citizens know that George Washington was the first President.). Remember that citing sources is a rhetorical task, and, as such, can vary based on your audience. If you’re writing for an expert audience of a scholarly journal, for example, you may need to deal with expectations of what constitutes “common knowledge” that differ from common norms.

Other Sources

The MLA Handbook describes how to cite many different kinds of authors and content creators. However, you may occasionally encounter a source or author category that the handbook does not describe, making the best way to proceed can be unclear.

In these cases, it's typically acceptable to apply the general principles of MLA citation to the new kind of source in a way that's consistent and sensible. A good way to do this is to simply use the standard MLA directions for a type of source that resembles the source you want to cite.

You may also want to investigate whether a third-party organization has provided directions for how to cite this kind of source. For example, Norquest College provides guidelines for citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers⁠ —an author category that does not appear in the MLA Handbook . In cases like this, however, it's a good idea to ask your instructor or supervisor whether using third-party citation guidelines might present problems.