APA Formatting in MS Word

Set the Default Font

  1. Access advanced font options from Home ribbon.
  2. Set default font to Times New Roman 12 Point.

Set Double Spacing

  1. Double Space between lines of the same paragraph.
  2. Remove excess spacing after each paragraph

MS Word remove spacing

Create a Hanging Indent

  1. Highlight the text you wish to indent.

  2. Access your Advanced Paragraph Options.

  3. Select Hanging Indent from the "Indentation: Special" menu.

Insert the Running Head

  1. Double Click the top of the document to open the Header options
  2. Select the "Different First Page" option.
  3. Be sure to fill in your First Page Header (in APA, this includes the words Running head).

Insert First Page Number

  1. Press the Tab Key on your keyboard until your cursor blinks on the right hand side (usually once or twice).
  2. Select the Page Number Tool from your Header Design settings.
  3. Choose "Current Position - Plain Number."

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Insert Second (and Subsequent) Page Numbers

  1. Repeat the same steps as above on the second page, but without the word "Running head:"
  2. Be sure to use the Page Number Tool, or else it will say 2 on every page.