do you cite in a powerpoint presentation

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

APA PowerPoint Slide Presentation

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 This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.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.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Media File: APA PowerPoint Slide Presentation

This resource is enhanced by a PowerPoint file. If you have a Microsoft Account, you can view this file with   PowerPoint Online .

Select the APA PowerPoint Presentation link above to download slides that provide a detailed review of the APA citation style.

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / How to Cite Sources / How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA, MLA or Chicago

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA, MLA or Chicago

Let’s be honest: Sometimes the best information for a paper comes straight from a professor’s PowerPoint presentation. But did you know that source needs to be cited?

Whether you’re making use of your instructor’s lecture materials or pulling information from a Powerpoint found online, you need to make sure to cite your sources if you use information from it in a project or paper.

Here’s a run -t hrough of everything this page includes:  

• Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA format
• Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA format
• Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in Chicago Style

By now, you’re probably familiar with how to cite websites, books or journal articles, but not as knowledgeable about how to cite a Powerpoint presentation. In actuality, citing PowerPoint presentations aren’t all that different from citing written materials, so don’t let yourself be phased! It’s not too hard and compiling an MLA works cited or APA reference page doesn’t take too long—each one should take just a few minutes to create.

To help you with the process, we’ve put together a handy guide demonstrating how to cite a PowerPoint presentation in three commonly used citation styles: MLA, APA and Chicago.

Let’s start by looking for basic information you’ll need for the citation.

Information you may need to cite a PowerPoint Presentation:

• Author or authors of the presentation
• Presentation title
• Date of publication/presentation
• Place of publication/where the presentation was given
• URL (if used to locate the presentation)

Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA format:

MLA format citation structure:

Author Last Name, First Name. Presentation Title. Month Year, URL. PowerPoint Presentation.

Example citation :

Park, Lisa. Effective Working Teams . Jan. 2011, https://www.company.meetings/teams. PowerPoint Presentation.

In-text citation structure:

(Last Name)

Example in-text citation:

Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA format:  

APA reference structure:

Author or Presenter Last Name, Middle Initial. First Initial. (Date of publication). Title of presentation [PowerPoint presentation]. Conference Name, Location. URL

Example reference:

Park, L. (2011, March 24-28). Effective working teams [PowerPoint presentation]. Regional Dairy Workers National Conference, New York, NY, United States. https://www.company.meetings/teams

Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in Chicago Style:

Chicago citation structure:

Author Last Name, First Name. “Presentation Title.” Lecture, Location of Lecture, Month Day, Year.

Example citation:

Park, Lisa. “Effective Working Teams.” Lecture, The Plaza Hotel, New York, NY, January 11, 2011.

Troubleshooting

Solution #1: how to cite a powerpoint that has multiple authors..

For a presentation with multiple authors, list the authors alphabetically by last name for the full reference citation. The citation will list each author by Last Name, First Initial.

If the PowerPoint has just two authors, separate them with a comma and an ampersand (&). If the PowerPoint has more than two authors, list the authors separated by commas.

Reference examples:

Felner, D., & Nguy, A. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Slideshow]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Felner, D., Nguy, A., Becham, G. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Slideshow]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

For an in-text citation for two authors, give both surnames separated by an ampersand (&) followed by a comma and the year of publication or presentation.

For an in-text citation for three or more authors, list the first author’s surname followed by “et al.” followed by a comma and the year of publication or presentation.

In-text citation examples:

(Felner & Nguy, 2021)

(Felner et al., 2021)

For a PowerPoint with two presenters or authors, include both names in the full works-cited citation. The names need to be written as follows: First presenter’s Last Name, First Name, and then the second presenter’s First Name and Last Name.

For an in-text citation, simply list the surnames of both presenters.

In-text citation example:

(Nguy and Felner)

Work-cited entry example:

Nguy, Anna and Dominic Felner. The History of Claymation. Apr. 2021. PowerPoint Presentation.

For a PowerPoint with three or more presenters, only list one presenter’s name followed by a comma and “et al.”

For an in-text citation for three or more authors or presenters , list the surname given in the full works-cited citation followed by “et al.”

(Nguy et al.)

Nguy, Anna et al. The History of Claymation. Apr. 2021. PowerPoint Presentation.

Solution #2 How to cite a slideshow that wasn’t made with PowerPoint

If making a full works-cited citation for a slideshow that was made with another program other than PowerPoint, include the medium in brackets instead of PowerPoint.

If the presentation is not in PowerPoint, and you can’t determine what software was used, include the word “slideshow” in brackets in place of PowerPoint.

Nguy, A. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Prezi presentation]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Nguy, A. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Slideshow]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

The in-text citation will be formatted like any other APA in-text citation (author last name, year).

(Nguy, 2021)

At the end of your full works-cited citation, include the program the slideshow was made with, formatted as:  ______ Presentation.

If you are uncertain of the program used, end your citation with “slideshow” followed by a period. Nguy, Anna. The history of Claymation. Apr. 2021. Prezi Presentation. Nguy, Anna. The history of Claymation . Apr. 2021. Slideshow.

The in-text citation will be formatted like any other MLA in-text citation (author last name).

Hello all paper writers! Take a moment to try our spell checker , or refresh your knowledge on English basics with our EasyBib grammar guides ! Discover a determiner definition , learn what is an adverb , review an interjection list , and more.   

Updated April 26, 2021.

Citation Guides

• Annotated Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• Citation Examples
• et al Usage
• In-text Citations
• Page Numbers
• Reference Page
• Sample Paper
• APA 7 Updates
• View APA Guide
• Bibliography
• Works Cited
• MLA 8 Updates
• View MLA Guide

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

To cite PowerPoint presentation slides, include the author name, year/date of presentation, the title, the source description, the website and/or university name, and the URL where the source can be found.

If the PowerPoint presentation is not accessible to the reader, cite the slides as personal communication.

If you want to cite a PowerPoint in MLA or APA style, you need to have basic information including the name of the author(s), title of the presentation, date and place of publication, and URL. For in-text citations, you need to include only the author name(s) in MLA style and author name(s) and year in APA style.  

APA in-text citations

(Author Surname, publication year)

(Dhanalakshmi, 2004)

MLA in-text citations

(Author Surname)

(Dhanalakshmi)

Citation Basics

Harvard Referencing

Plagiarism Basics

Plagiarism Checker

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

APA Formatting and Style (7th ed.)

• What's New in the 7th ed.?
• Principles of Plagiarism: An Overview
• Basic Paper Formatting
• Basic Paper Elements
• Punctuation, Capitalization, Abbreviations, Apostrophes, Numbers, Plurals
• Tables and Figures
• Powerpoint Presentations
• Reference Page Format
• Periodicals (Journals, Magazines, Newspapers)
• Books and Reference Works
• Webpage on a Website
• Discussion Post
• Company Information & SWOT Analyses
• Dissertations or Theses
• ChatGPT and other AI Large Language Models
• Online Images
• Online Video
• Computer Software and Mobile Apps
• Missing Information
• Two Authors
• Three or More Authors
• Group Authors
• Missing Author
• Chat GPT and other AI Large Language Models
• Secondary Sources
• Block Quotations
• Fillable Template and Sample Paper
• Government Documents and Legal Materials
• APA Style 7th ed. Tutorials
• Additional APA 7th Resources
• Grammarly - your writing assistant
• Writing Center - Writing Skills This link opens in a new window
• Brainfuse Online Tutoring

Formatting a Powerpoint Presentation in APA 7th Style

The apa 7th manual and the apa website do not provide any specific rules about using apa format or citation in powerpoint slides. , here are some recommended guidelines:, 1. always follow any specific instructions given by your instructor., 2. you will need in-text citations on a powerpoint slide where you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing someone else's ideas. , 3. you also will include a reference list as your powerpoint's last slide (or slides). , this youtube video from smart student shows you how to create apa7th in-text citations and a reference list: .

• Citing and Referencing in Powerpoint Presentations | APA 7th Edition This video will show you how to create APA 7th in-text citations and a Reference page for your PowerPoint presentation.
• << Previous: Tables and Figures
• Next: Reference Page Examples >>
• Last Updated: Sep 7, 2024 3:49 PM
• URL: https://national.libguides.com/apa_7th

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• Happiness Hub
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation

Last Updated: January 16, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 68,121 times.

PowerPoint presentations often convey a lot of information in a brief format that's easy to understand. For this reason, they also make excellent sources for a research paper — especially if you're writing on a complex, cutting-edge topic. But how should you cite your source? The elements included in your citation are generally the same as those you would use for any other lecture or presentation. Your specific format will vary, though, depending on whether you're using the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or Chicago citation style.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages."

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. eecs.wsu.edu/~ananth/CptS317/Lectures/Course.pdf.

• For example, you might write: One of the objectives of the course is to introduce automata theory and the theory of computation (Kalyanaraman slide 3).

• The basic format for a personal communication in-text citation is as follows: (A. Lastname, personal communication, Month day, year).

• Example: Braun, M.

• Example: Braun, M. (2020).

• Example: Braun, M. (2020). Diseases of the nervous system [PowerPoint slides].

• Example: Braun, M. (2020). Diseases of the nervous system [PowerPoint slides]. http://medsci.indiana.edu/c602web/602/c602web/opt/braun/Diseases_NervousSystem.pdf

• For example, you might write: A subdural hemorrhage is a rotational injury that causes slow bleeding (Braun, 2020).
• If you use the presenter's name in the text of your paper, add a parenthetical immediately after the name with the year for the presentation. For example, you might write: Braun (2020) differentiates between different types of brain hemorrhages, which require different treatment.
• If you quote directly from the presentation, add the slide number after the year. For example, you might write: According to Braun (2020, slide 3), the "accumulation of junk" in the central nervous system can lead to problems.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation."

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation." PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation." PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020. http://people.stern.nyu.edu/adamodar/pdfiles/eqnotes/valpacket1spr20.pdf.

• Example: Aswath Damodaran, "Intrinsic Valuation," (PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020), http://people.stern.nyu.edu/adamodar/pdfiles/eqnotes/valpacket1spr20.pdf.
• After the first footnote, use a shortened format for subsequent footnotes with the last name of the presenter and the title of the presentation. For example:

Community Q&A

• If the slides come from a classroom website, company intranet, or learning management system (such as Canvas or Blackboard), use the URL only if you're writing for an audience that would have access to that system. [18] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• This article covers how to cite a PowerPoint presentation using the MLA 8th edition (2016), the APA 7th edition (2019), and the Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition (2017). Consult your instructor or editor to make sure you're using the right edition for your citations. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://style.mla.org/citing_slides/
• ↑ https://research.moreheadstate.edu/c.php?g=610039&p=4234940
• ↑ https://libguides.capilanou.ca/mla/classnotes
• ↑ https://writeanswers.royalroads.ca/faq/199089
• ↑ https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/APA/lecture
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/powerpoint-references
• ↑ https://libguides.up.edu/chicago/other#s-lg-box-wrapper-28673142
• ↑ https://library.ulethbridge.ca/chicagostyle/other/lecture
• ↑ https://libguides.up.edu/chicago/other

About This Article

To cite a PowerPoint presentation in MLA, use footnotes or endnotes to cite your sources. Then in the footnote, list the author’s last name followed by a comma then their first name. Then write the title of the lecture in quotes followed by the venue, the city it was held in, and the abbreviated date you accessed the work. You should put a period after each item. For instance, you might write, “Smith, John. ‘Sensitivity and Social Media.’ Today's Social Networks. Thomson Auditorium. Hamilton. Jan. 23, 2016. Keynote address.” To learn how to cite PowerPoint presentations in APA style, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Saadieqah Sage

May 29, 2019

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Powerpoint Presentations

• What Kind of Source Is This?
• Advertisements
• Books & eBooks
• Book Reviews
• Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings
• Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
• Government Documents
• Images, Charts, Graphs, Maps & Tables
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Personal Communication (Interviews, Emails)
• Social Media
• Videos & DVDs
• Paraphrasing
• Works Cited in Another Source
• No Author, No Date etc.
• Sample Paper, Reference List & Annotated Bibliography
• Powerpoint Presentations

On this Page

Powerpoint presentations - what do i need to cite, powerpoint presentations - where do my citations go, other digital assignments - where do my citations go, quick rules for an apa reference list.

Your research paper ends with a list of all the sources cited in the text of the paper. Here are nine quick rules for this Reference list.

• Start a new page for your Reference list. Centre the title, References, at the top of the page.
• Double-space the list.
• Start the first line of each reference at the left margin; indent each subsequent line five spaces (a hanging indent).
• Put your list in alphabetical order. Alphabetize the list by the first word in the reference. In most cases, the first word will be the author’s last name. Where the author is unknown, alphabetize by the first word in the title, ignoring the words a, an, the.
• For each author, give the last name followed by a comma and the first (and middle, if listed) initials followed by periods.
• Italicize the titles of these works: books, audiovisual material, internet documents and newspapers, and the title and volume number of journals and magazines.
• Do not italicize titles of most parts of works, such as: articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals / essays, poems, short stories or chapter titles from a book / chapters or sections of an Internet document.
• In titles of non-periodicals (books, videotapes, websites, reports, poems, essays, chapters, etc), capitalize only the first letter of the first word of a title and subtitle, and all proper nouns (names of people, places, organizations, nationalities).
• If a web source (not from the library) is not a stable archived version, or you are unsure whether it is stable, include a statement of the accessed date before the link.

What am I legally required to cite in my digital assignment?

According to the Copyright Act, you must cite the sources (images, videos, books, websites, etc.) that you used in your digital assignment ( 29.21(1)(b) ). You must cite the source (where you got the information from) and the creator of the content (if available). You must also make sure that any copyrighted materials you used in your assignment meet the conditions set out in section  29.21  of the Copyright Act. For a list of conditions and more information, please visit:  http://studentcopyright.wordpress.com/mashups/

What citation style do I use for the sources in my digital assignment?

There is no one required citation style, so please defer to your instructor's directions and citation style preference.

List your sources in a slide at the end of the Powerpoint presentation, with footnotes throughout your presentation as applicable.

You could also provide a print copy of the sources you used to those attending your presentation.

Seneca Libraries has the following recommendations for how to organize your list of sources for digital assignments. Please check with your instructor first:

Videos you create: 

List your sources in a credits screen at the end of the video.

Websites you create:

• For images, include a citation under each image using this format “From: XXXX” and then make the image a link back to the original image ( example  - picture of little girl). Or list the citation at the bottom of the web page.
• For quotes or material from other sources, include an in-text citation that links back to the original material ( example  – second paragraph).

Images you create: 

If possible list your sources at the bottom or side of the image ( example ). Otherwise, include a list of citations alongside the image wherever it’s uploaded (e.g. Flickr, Blackboard).

**Please note that the above are recommendations only and your instructor may have a preference and directions for how and where you list your sources for your assignment.**

If you don't receive specific instructions from your instructor, try to include your citations in a way that doesn't impact the design of your digital assignment.

For more information please contact Seneca Libraries copyright team at  [email protected]

• << Previous: Sample Paper, Reference List & Annotated Bibliography
• Next: More Help? >>
• Last Updated: Sep 17, 2024 6:17 PM
• URL: https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/apa

PowerPoint Slide or Lecture Note References

This page contains reference examples for PowerPoint slides or lecture notes, including the following:

• PowerPoint slides available online
• PowerPoint slides from a classroom website

Use these formats to cite information obtained directly from slides.

If the slides contain citations to information published elsewhere, and you want to cite that information as well, then it is best to find, read, and cite the original source yourself rather than citing the slides as a secondary source.

Writers creating PowerPoint presentations in APA Style should present information clearly and concisely. Many APA Style guidelines can be applied to presentations (e.g., the guidance for crediting sources, using bias-free language, and writing clearly and concisely).

However, decisions about font size, amount of text on a slide, color scheme, use of animations, and so on are up to writers; these details are not specified as part of APA Style.

1. PowerPoint slides available online

Jones, J. (2016, March 23). Guided reading: Making the most of it [PowerPoint slides]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/hellojenjones/guided-reading-making-the-most-of-it

• Parenthetical citation : (Jones, 2016)
• Narrative citation : Jones (2016)
• When the slides are available online to anyone, provide the site name on which they are hosted in the source element of the reference, followed by the URL of the slides.

2. PowerPoint slides from a classroom website

Mack, R., & Spake, G. (2018). Citing open source images and formatting references for presentations [PowerPoint slides]. Canvas@FNU. https://fnu.onelogin.com/login

• Parenthetical citation : (Mack & Spake, 2018)
• Narrative citation : Mack and Spake (2018)
• If the slides come from a classroom website, learning management system (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Sakai), or company intranet and you are writing for an audience with access to that resource, provide the name of the site and its URL (use the login page URL for sites requiring login).
• If the audience for which are you writing does not have access to the slides, cite them as a personal communication .

PowerPoint slide references are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 10.14 and the Concise Guide Section 10.12

Generate accurate MLA citations for free

• Knowledge Base
• How to cite a PowerPoint in MLA

How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA | Format & Examples

Published on December 7, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on March 5, 2024.

To cite a PowerPoint or other slide-based presentation in MLA style , the format depends on how you viewed the presentation.

If the slides are available to view online, the format is similar to that for a website : provide the author and title of the presentation, the name of the site in italics, the date it was posted, and the URL.

Use a slide number to indicate the location of the relevant information in in-text citations.

You can also use our free MLA Citation Generator to help create MLA citations with ease.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Citing a powerpoint you viewed in person, citing content reproduced in a powerpoint, frequently asked questions about mla citations.

If you viewed the PowerPoint in person and it isn’t available online, cite it using details of the context in which you viewed it: the name of the course, the date the lecture was given, and the name and location of your university.

You can also add the optional label “PowerPoint presentation” for clarity.

Note that citing an online version is the best option if possible, since it allows your reader to consult the presentation directly.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

If you want to cite content reproduced in a PowerPoint (like an image or quotation from someone other than the person who created the slides), it’s best to cite the original source if possible. Try looking for source information in the slides, or asking the lecturer.

However, if necessary, you can treat it as a source contained within a source. Cite details of the original source first, and then include details of the presentation as a container, including the slide where the relevant quote or image appears at the end.

For example, the following format shows how to cite an artwork from a presentation.

When you want to cite a PowerPoint or lecture notes from a lecture you viewed in person in MLA , check whether they can also be accessed online ; if so, this is the best version to cite, as it allows the reader to access the source.

If the material is not available online, use the details of where and when the presentation took place.

MLA recommends citing the original source wherever possible, rather than the source in which it is quoted or reproduced.

If this isn’t possible, cite the secondary source and use “qtd. in” (quoted in) in your MLA in-text citation . For example: (qtd. in Smith 233)

If a source is reproduced in full within another source (e.g. an image within a PowerPoint  or a poem in an article ), give details of the original source first, then include details of the secondary source as a container. For example:

If a source has no author, start the MLA Works Cited entry with the source title . Use a shortened version of the title in your MLA in-text citation .

If a source has no page numbers, you can use an alternative locator (e.g. a chapter number, or a timestamp for a video or audio source) to identify the relevant passage in your in-text citation. If the source has no numbered divisions, cite only the author’s name (or the title).

If you already named the author or title in your sentence, and there is no locator available, you don’t need a parenthetical citation:

• Rajaram  argues that representations of migration are shaped by “cultural, political, and ideological interests.”
• The homepage of The Correspondent describes it as “a movement for radically different news.”

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2024, March 05). How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA | Format & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/powerpoint/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to cite a lecture in mla, how to cite a website in mla, how to cite an image in mla, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

Unsupported browser

This site was designed for modern browsers and tested with Internet Explorer version 10 and later.

It may not look or work correctly on your browser.

How to Cite PowerPoint Presentations in APA & MLA Formats

Whether you're a student or teacher, you rely on sources to do your research. You probably already know that it's important to also cite your sources. But you might not know how to cite certain types of sources, for example, PowerPoint presentations.

There are more types of resources available to students than ever before and the proper way to cite those resources isn't always clear. For example, with SlideShare (link to our tutorial) you've got access to hundreds of PowerPoint presentations. 

If you're wondering "how do you cite a PowerPoint" when you use one of those presentations in a paper, this tutorial is for you. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to cite a PowerPoint in APA format. We'll also cover citing a PowerPoint in MLA format. Once you've discovered how to properly cite presentations, we'll share some additional presentation resources in case you've got to create your own presentation.

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation Properly 

When you're writing an academic paper, you typically need to cite your sources at the end in a bibliography. You may also need to cite a source in the body of your paper. Let's take a closer look at how two of the most common style guides handle citing PowerPoint presentations.

Note :  If you're using the PowerPoint presentation for an academic assignment, be sure to check your own school's style guidelines to determine which format they require. You may also find that your school has additional requirements for citations .

How to Cite a Presentation in APA Format

APA format provides guidelines for consistently writing in a clear format. It includes standards for citing references in PowerPoint presentations as well as standards for citing images in PowerPoint, citing tables or figures, and citing many other types of information.  Although it was originally created for written documents, the citation guidelines have been expanded to take into consideration websites and other digital publications.

If your lesson requires you to use APA format to cite your sources and you're using a PowerPoint presentation as a source, you'll be expected to treat the PowerPoint presentation very much like you would another source with a few differences. Start with the author's last name and first initial. Add the middle initial if given. This is followed by the year the presentation was published and the title of the presentation.

The two differences between citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA format and another work is that you'll put the phrase " PowerPoint slides " in brackets after the title of the presentations followed by the phrase " Retrieved from " and the URL where you found the presentation.

Here's an example of a properly formatted PowerPoint citation for a bibliography in APA format ( based on a fictitious source ):

Perez, J. (February 2018). How to Design Graphics That Sell With Examples  [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved August 1, 2018, from https://anytownconsulting.com/ppt/graphics-sell.html

For a citation in the body of the paper use the author's last name and the date the speech was published:

(Perez, 2018)

If you've got other types of sources you need to cite in APA Style or if you've got questions about APA style, you can find answers on the  APA Style site .

How to Cite a Presentation in MLA Format

Another popular format required by many educational institutions is the MLA format. This style guide is from the Modern Language Association, which is a scholarly association that supports the study of languages and literature. MLA format is commonly used for assignments in the Humanities or Liberal Arts academic areas.

If you're required to use MLA format to cite your sources and one of those sources is a PowerPoint presentation, the format is very similar to the APA format for citing a PowerPoint source with a few important differences. Start with the author's last name, first name and middle name (if given). That's followed by the title of the presentation and the year it was published. If you've got the tile of the website where the presentation is published, list that. Next comes the URL where you found the PowerPoint presentation. If you're referencing a specific slide in the presentation list that slide number.

Here's an example of a properly formatted PowerPoint citation in MLA format (based on a fictitious source):

Perez, Juan. "How to Design Graphics That Sell With Examples."  AnyTown Consulting Website, Jan. 2018,  http://anytownconsulting.com/ppt/graphics-sell.html. Slide 10.

If you're citing a slideshow you attended in person as a source, provide the date and location of the presentation. If the presentation is part of a course, include the name of the course as well:

Perez, Juan. "How to Design Graphics That Sell With Examples." Web Design 101: Introduction to Web Design, April 10, 2018, Anytown Community College. Slide 10.

If you've got other types of sources you need to cite in APA Style or if you've got questions about MLA style, you can find answers on the MLA Style site . You can learn more about the Modern Language Association their site.

Helpful Presentation Templates for Students and Educators

Whether you're a student, college professor, or primary school teacher (or other type of educational professional) — your job probably involves giving a lot of presentations. If you're looking for a presentation PowerPoint template you should consider getting a premium template. Premium templates can save you a lot of time because they come prebuilt with professional design elements already in place. All you need to do is paste your own images and information into the handy placeholders. And, they're really easy to use.

Of course, you could create your own PowerPoint slide designs from scratch. But that can be time-consuming—especially if you're not a professional graphic designer. You're much better off using a premade template to get a head start on the way your presentation looks. That way, you can spend the bulk of your project time on research and writing.

If you're a professor, teacher, or even a student who creates a lot of PowerPoint presentations, you'll want to consider investing in an Envato Elements  subscription. For one low monthly price you'll get unlimited access to our entire library of easy-to-use PowerPoint templates, WordPress themes, video tutorials, and more. It's an investment you'll use again and again.

Even if you just have an occasional need for a PowerPoint presentation template, you can still access a library of professionally designed templates through GraphicRiver for a one-time fee.

Let's take a look at some of the best PowerPoint presentation templates for educators and students from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver :

1. Creativa Education PowerPoint

The Creativa Education PowerPoint template works well for any educational purpose. This attractive theme includes templates for 30 unique slides. Plus, there are three premade color themes. Both widescreen and standard format templates are included. If you're a university student, you may want to take a closer look at this one.

2. Fresh Creative Chalkboard Presentation  

This fun PowerPoint template is perfect for teachers and other educators. Simulate a chalkboard with either the classic green or a stylish gray background. Great for the classroom or even a learning-themed presentation. The template includes the Scratch kit font. There's also a PSD file with a smart object layer.

3. Education& Science Infographic PowerPoint

Here's the perfect theme with great editable infographics! This colorful science-themed template is full of education-friendly features:

• Easy-to-edit
• Documentation

If you're a science teacher, be sure to explore this kid-friendly PowerPoint template.

4. Campuz- University PowerPoint Template

Whether you're a teacher, a professor, or a student—you'll love the Campuz - University PowerPoint Template. It's chock full of useful features. For example, it 25 map slides that would be just perfect for a geography or history lesson. It also includes 24/7 support.

5. Puzzle- Education PowerPoint Template

Make learning fun with this puzzle-themed template. And who doesn't love a good puzzle? This great template includes 30 unique slides (including an infographic). Plus, there are three different premade color themes. And there are templates for both wide screen and standard formats. Just replace the image placeholders with your own pictures and add your own text.

6. Education PowerPoint Presentation Template

This popular education template provides plenty of options. And it comes with free support. Here's just some of what it includes:

• 54 unique slides
• 90 color themes
• 3 aspect rations
• Light and dark backgrounds

Don't overlook this one!

7. Solar System Education Presentation

Whether you're a student with a science presentation or an someone who teaches science you'll love this unique presentation template on the solar system. And it comes with 34 custom slides. It's based on free fonts. This would be especially good for teachers of the primary grades.

8. Education Template

The Education template works well for both educational and business presentations. With over 2700 vector icons and 5 pre-made color schemes, this is a very flexible template. It includes map infographics. All the graphics are editable.

9. Armeni: PowerPoint Presentation

Here's a great business PowerPoint presentation template that can be used for professional presentations as well as educational presentations. This attractive minimalist design will help your slideshow to capture your audience's attention. Choose from 54 different unique slides. It's built with the PowerPoint slide master tool so your presentation stays consistent.

10. Kids Presentation Template

The Kids Presentation Template features bright, cheerful designs and primary colors. This would be great for a primary school teacher or even a principal! There are more than 30 unique slides. Choose between 17 color schemes. And it works with three different aspect rations (16:9, 4:3, and A4). Plus it's easy to customize by adding your own images and text.

Learn Even More About Using PowerPoint

In this tutorial, you learned how to cite PowerPoint presentations using two popular style guides: APA format and MLA format. Whether you're a teacher or a student, citing your references properly is important for academic projects.

If you want to learn all about how to use PowerPoint, study one   of our  PowerPoint learning guides .  Here are some of our most popular PowerPoint tutorials to get you started:

If you'd like to explore more great premium PowerPoint templates to get a head start on your next presentation slideshow, this article features some great templates for inspiration:

For more details on how to use a PowerPoint presentation, study this tutorial:

Get This New eBook on Making Great Presentations ( Free Download )

We have just the right complement to an educational PowerPoint template, that'll help you learn the complete process of how to write, design, and deliver great presentations.

Download  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations   now for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that will move your audience.

Use the Proper Style to Cite Presentations for Your Next Academic Project

Citing sources in PowerPoint for academic projects can be tricky. You just learned the right way to cite a PowerPoint in APA format or MLA format. We've also explored the benefits of using templates as a head start when you create your own presentation. Plus, you've seen some of our best education-themed templates from  Envato Elements  and GraphicRiver.

Good luck on your next academic project!

APA Style, 7th Edition

• Sample Papers & How to Videos
• Reference Components
• Evaluating a Website
• Journal Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Reviews (Book, Film, Video)
• Films (DVD / Blu-Ray / Streaming)
• Online Videos (e.g. YouTube, TED)
• Films on Demand
• Television Episodes
• Music Recordings
• Webpages / Web Documents
• Entire Websites
• Entries in Online Encyclopedias
• Government Reports
• Online Maps
• Online Lecture Notes or PowerPoint Slides
• Press Releases
• Film or Video Review
• eBooks (Electronic Book)
• Book with and Editor
• Edition of Books Other than First Edition
• Chapter in an Edited Book
• Anthologies
• Entries in a Reference Book
• Entries in an Online Encyclopedia
• Foreign Language Books
• Illustrated Book
• Sacred Text
• The Generic Reference
• Personal Communication
• Class Materials
• Poster Sessions
• Theses & Dissertations
• Court Decision
• Executive Orders
• Charter of the United Nations
• In-Text Citations Components
• Parenthetical Citations
• Narrative Citations
• Combining Citations
• Annotated Bibliography
• Additional APA Resources

APA for PowerPoint Presentations

• HU Tutorials

Using PowerPoint for Beginners

The APA manual does not have a section on how to format a PowerPoint presentation, but y ou can follow APA style guidelines within your PowerPoint . For example:

• Include the same information on your title slide that you would have on a title page. 
• Include in-text citations for any quote, paraphrase, image, graph, table, data, audio or video file that you use within your presentation. Please note that photographs are considered figures in APA style. 
• The last slide will be your References List. 
• “No citation, permission, or copyright attribution is necessary for clip art from programs like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint” (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020, p. 346).
• Do not reproduce images without permission from the creator or owner of the image. See section 12.15 of the APA manual for more information about this.

Resource: Goodwin University Library. 2019. How to format a PowerPoint presentation in APA Style. Goodwin University.   https://goodwin.libguides.com/apastyle   

• Citing Business Sources in APA Style Brock University's guide to citing business information sources according the the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition. Includes citing sources in presentations

• << Previous: Additional APA Resources
• Next: HU Tutorials >>
• Last Updated: Sep 11, 2024 11:21 AM
• URL: https://hallmark.libguides.com/apa7

APA Citations

• Why Do You Cite?
• When to Cite
• References Page
• PowerPoint Presentations
• More Help with APA

Slide Shows

There are no official instructions for formatting a PowerPoint presentation or slideshow in the APA style. However, most colleges/universities, professionals, and educators follow the general guidelines for formatting their slideshows in the APA style:

• Include an in-text citation for every slide in which you paraphrase, quote, or summarize information from one of your sources: (Author, year). Place this citation in the bottom right corner of your slides.
• Include a references slide(s) at the end using the same format as an APA-formatted references page.

See the examples below.  Use the arrows to move through the slides.

• << Previous: References Page
• Next: More Help with APA >>
• Last Updated: May 7, 2024 11:45 AM
• URL: https://libguides.sowela.edu/APA

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA 7?

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

By Nikolay Kaloyanov

in How-To Tutorials

2 years ago

Viewed 3,634 times

Spread the word about this article:

💡 Before we show you how to cite a PowerPoint in APA, we would like to tell you that all examples and explanations are about APA 7th edition .

In your PowerPoint presentation, you’re going to use a combination of texts and images to present information. You’ll need to cite the sources for these documents and media so your audience knows where to find out more about the topic.

This way, you will both adhere to the rules of using copyrighted information and show that your knowledge on the topic is well researched and you have spent time finding the resources.

What we will discuss in this article is the APA standard and how to make a proper PowerPoint citation in APA standard. Let’s dig deep.

Article Overview: 1. What is Apa? 2. Why do people use APA as a standard? 3. How to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA? 4. How to Cite a Picture in PowerPoint?

1. What is APA?

APA is one of the most popular and widely used styles for writing research papers. This style of writing citations and citing sources is used in most social sciences – mainly psychology, sociology, and education. The acronym comes from A merican P sychological A ssociation. You can check APA’s website for more information .

2. Why do people use APA as a standard?

Before we tell you how to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA style, we need to clarify the main reason why people use this style. As the most common standard, it is widely accepted around the world, and the manuals have been sold millions of times.

What makes the APA citation style so popular among educational institutions is that it gives “weight” to the documents that are being examined. Adding the sources and using the right way to present the sources could greatly influence the credibility of any thesis or PowerPoint presentation.

3. How to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA?

There aren’t one or two ways to cite a Powerpoint presentation in APA. Why? Because there are different conditions that can affect the accessibility of the original source. Let’s see some of the most common occasions in citing PowerPoint presentations in APA style.

3.1. Citing a PowerPoint in APA – Accessible Documents

This is probably the best-case scenario for citations, as your readers will have access to the information, thus they can easily find the original source. Bear in mind you should not include PowerPoint presentations in the reference list if your audience cannot access them.

3.1.1. Citing in PowerPoint from public sites

When you have the source and it is an available webpage, you will have to link directly to the original source.

N.B.  You should always  cite the original source. If you have found a piece of statistics somewhere – let’s say a WeForum article , it is not the original source, thus you cannot refer to information that has not been published by the author.

3.1.2. Citing PowerPoints on password-protected portals

When it comes to citing from a university or other password-protected website, you should refer to the login page, as a direct link will lead to it. Let’s see an example I’ve made up myself.

N.B.  Sometimes, there is no author mentioned. In such cases, we proceed in two ways:

• If there is no author, but an organization that is behind the source:

What we have done is we have replaced the author’s name with the name of the organization that has published the report.

• If there is an unknown author.

In case there’s an unknown author, we replace their name with the title.

3.2. Citing a PowerPoint in APA – Inaccessible Documents

In case your PowerPoint slide is inaccessible to readers, then you have the option to cite the source as personal communication. Let’s see how this happens.

During the presentation, Peterson made a prediction that low-fare airlines will become dominant by 2030 (personal communication, June 3, 2022).

You can add personal communication citations in parentheses somewhere in the text but not in the reference list, as the original source cannot be directly tracked.

3.3. Citing a PowerPoint Slide

Sometimes, a slide during a presentation makes a great impression and you want to add it to your sources. When this happens, it’s better to cite the original source, rather than the PowerPoint slide itself, because of the requirements we discussed in 3.1.1.

4. How to Cite a Picture in PowerPoint?

If you want to learn how to cite a picture in PowerPoint in APA format, then you should apply some different techniques. What you need to do first is to have a very detailed look at the terms and conditions of the original image. Some images require attribution while others don’t.

Once you insert the image, you need to then create a new text box, align it at the center and write the following:

Figure 1. Image Description. Adapted from SOURCE . Retrieved from  SOURCE LINK.  Copyright by  COMPANY NAME COPYRIGHTS  (located at the bottom).

Let’s see how it’s done in practice.

Figure 1. Carbon Footprint and Renewable Energy. Adapted from GraphicMama. Retrieved from https://graphicmama.com/design-bundle/infographic-template-collection#flat-tree-vector-ecology-infographic-template. Copyright by © 2022 GraphicMama.com

Learning how to cite a PowerPoint presentation correctly is crucial if you are submitting your thesis or working on a serious project. The APA style has specific rules that should be followed for your presentations or paper dissertations to look formatted and credible.

If you found our content useful, why don’t you check some of our other tutorials related to PowerPoint and presentations in general:

• 10 Practical Tips to Grab Attention and Make an Impact in Your PowerPoint Presentation
• How to Add Audio to PowerPoint: The Quick Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Get Started with PowerPoint + Guide and Resources

Add some character to your visuals

Cartoon Characters, Design Bundles, Illustrations, Backgrounds and more...

Like us on Facebook

Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to know what’s new in the world of graphic design and illustrations.

• [email protected]

Browse High Quality Vector Graphics

E.g.: businessman, lion, girl…

Related Articles

What is google slides and how to get started, how to make google slides look good and add a touch of finesse, how to create a custom business card like a professional [tutorials], 20 sketch tutorials to master the ux design software, how to add a gif to google slides and make it look nice, enjoyed this article.

Don’t forget to share!

• Comments (0)

Nikolay Kaloyanov

Nikolay is a copywriter with vast experience in Technology, Marketing, and Design. When he isn't playing with words and crafting texts, he watches sports and asks questions. He is a funny person...until you put him on a diet.

Thousands of vector graphics for your projects.

Hey! You made it all the way to the bottom!

Here are some other articles we think you may like:

How-To Tutorials

The 25 absolute best adobe xd tutorials in 2022.

by Nikolay Kaloyanov

Create with GraphicMama

How to create a character profile for your brand mascot [+ free character design template].

by Al Boicheva

How To Write a Killer Blog Post in 10 Easy Steps

by Bilyana Nikolaeva

Looking for Design Bundles or Cartoon Characters?

A source of high-quality vector graphics offering a huge variety of premade character designs, graphic design bundles, Adobe Character Animator puppets, and more.

• AUT Library
• Library Guides
• Referencing styles and applications

APA 7th Referencing Style Guide

Powerpoint slides.

• Referencing & APA style
• In-text citation
• Elements of a reference
• Format & examples of a reference list
• Conferences
• Reports & grey literature
• Figures (graphs and images)
• Theses and dissertations
• Audio works
• Films, TV & video
• Visual works
• Generative artificial intelligence (AI)
• Computer software, games & apps
• Lecture notes & Intranet resources
• Legal resources
• Personal communications
• Social media
• Specific health examples
• Standards & patents
• Websites & webpages
• Footnotes and appendices
• Frequently asked questions

Reference format for PowerPoint slides available online

• AUT Library recommends adding the paper code and title to the reference

PowerPoint slides online

PowerPoint slides come from a learning management system (e.g. Canvas)

• If your audience are able to access to the resource, provide the name of the site and its URL
• If the slides are not available to be accessed by your reader, you may treat them as personal communication cited in text. Reference entry is not needed. See the personal communications page
• << Previous: Personal communications
• Next: Social media >>
• Last Updated: Aug 8, 2024 9:47 AM
• URL: https://aut.ac.nz.libguides.com/APA7th

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA

5-minute read

• 24th November 2023

If you want to use information from a PowerPoint presentation in your essay, you’ll need to cite it properly to get the marks you deserve . In this post, we’ll show you how to do that in line with the referencing system of the American Psychological Association (APA), using the 7th edition.

When to Cite the PowerPoint

First, a word of caution: If the information you want to cite from the PowerPoint originally comes from another source – if, for example, it is a quote from a book – you need to follow the guidance for citing that source type .

If the PowerPoint itself is the original source of the information you want to cite, you need to follow the guidance in this post.

Where to Cite the PowerPoint

In APA style, you’ll need to cite the PowerPoint in the text and, in some cases, include it in the reference list at the end of your essay. Let’s look at each of those in turn and see why sometimes the presentation has no place in the reference list.

In-Text Citation

APA uses an author–date style for in-text citations (those that appear in the body of your essay). But for PowerPoints, an added consideration will determine whether details other than the name of the author and the year of the presentation are needed: does your audience have access to the PowerPoint?

If Your Audience Has Access to the PowerPoint

• For a parenthetical citation , you’ll need to include the author’s surname and the year in parentheses, like this:

(Carter, 2023)

• For a narrative citation , you’ll need to include the year in parentheses immediately after naming the author in the text, like this:

Carter (2023)

If Your Audience Does Not Have Access to the PowerPoint

If your audience does not have access to the PowerPoint, it is effectively a personal communication . Therefore, you’ll need to follow the same system used for other such communications, a process that will involve more detail, as described below.

• For a parenthetical citation , you’ll need to give the author’s initial(s) and surname, the phrase personal communication , and as precise a date as possible. It should look something like this:

(D. Carter, personal communication, February 21, 2023)

• For a narrative citation , you’ll need to write the phrase personal communication and the date of the presentation in parentheses after the author’s name, like this:

D. Carter (personal communication, February 21, 2023)

If You’re Quoting Directly From the PowerPoint

To include a direct quote from a written source, you would include a page number. The equivalent for a PowerPoint presentation is to include the slide number after the year, like this:

(Carter, 2023, slide 6)

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

Carter (2023, slide 6)

Reference List

When it comes to whether and how to include the PowerPoint in your reference list , the crucial question, again, is whether your audience will have access to it. There are three possibilities, which we’ll look at in turn.

PowerPoint Slides Available Online to Anyone

If the PowerPoint you wish to cite is freely available online, then you’ll need to follow this basic format:

Author Surname, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Host Site. URL

PowerPoint Slides Available Online With Log-In

If the PowerPoint you wish to cite is, for example, on a classroom website and can be accessed by your audience using a log-in, then you’ll need to follow this basic format:

Author Surname, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Site Name. URL

Because the site requires the user to log in, you’ll need to make sure the URL links to the login page.

PowerPoint Slides Not Available to Your Audience

If you cited the PowerPoint as a personal communication , it will not be available to your audience. Remember that the purpose of the reference list is to allow your audience to find the same source. If they can’t access it, don’t include it.

Following this guidance, you should be able to cite a PowerPoint in APA style confidently. Remember to ask yourself the following:

• If so, follow the guidance in this post to cite the PowerPoint itself.
• If not, follow the separate guidance for how to cite the original source of the information.
• If so, provide an in-text citation and include the source in your reference list .
• If not, include additional detail in the in-text citation and don’t put the source in your reference list.

If you’re still getting in a muddle over citations and referencing or if you would simply like the peace of mind that comes with having them checked by an expert, we have skilled proofreaders available 24-7 who can help. You can even try out our services for free .

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

Free email newsletter template.

Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...

6-minute read

How to Write a Nonprofit Grant Proposal

If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7-minute read

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

4-minute read

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > How to add citations to your presentation

How to add citations to your presentation

When you craft a formal presentation, you often have to conduct research. Any books, journals, and other forms of media used should be properly cited for your personal reference as well as for your audience. Learn how to create citations in a presentation to appropriately credit different works.

Why should you provide citations?

Information referenced from another source must be clearly cited. Proper citations serve as a roadmap for research, help track ideas, and establish credibility. Citations give credit to the original works and provide transparency for readers and their audience regarding the source.

Readers can access your sources and develop a deeper understanding of your research. They can also explore research from your respective discipline or industry. Additionally, researchers utilize citations to align their work with established experts and bolster the validity of their claims. Without citations, audiences may assume your idea is original, resulting in plagiarism. Acknowledging the intellectual contributions of others with proper citation fosters academic integrity and supports the advancement of ideas amongst scholars and researchers.

Tell your story with captivating presentations

Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

How to source citations in a presentations

To source citations effectively in presentations, consider the following:

• Identify your sources: Begin by identifying all the sources you have used in your research, including books, articles, websites, and any other relevant materials. Note the authors, publication dates, publisher, and other relevant information for citations.
• Include in-text citations: Incorporate in-text citations throughout your presentation slides to indicate when you are referencing external sources. This helps your audience understand the basis of your arguments and provides transparency regarding the origin of the information presented.
• Provide a reference list: At the end of your presentation, include a reference list that provides full bibliographic information for each source cited. This allows your audience to locate the original works for further reading and verification. Ensure your reference list adheres to the citation style used with your citations.
• Use visual aids: Consider using visual aids , such as infographics or posters , to display citations alongside the corresponding content. This helps reinforce the connection between the information presented and its original source.

Alternatively, you can also provide the references verbally throughout the presentation. This allows the audience to follow along with your presentation and directly reference sources as you present. If you are creating a presentation for a class, follow the instructions or preferences of your instructor. By doing so, you can ensure your citations are understood and appropriate for your audience.

Citations are a critical component of an effective presentation. Citations provide a roadmap for your research, credit the appropriate authors, and foster academic integrity. They’re easy to include in a presentation as in-text citations on your slides and as a reference list. Include citations to make sure you presentation credits the appropriate authors and strengthens its validity. For more help with preparing sources, research, and crafting presentations, learn more presentation tips .

Get started with Microsoft 365

It’s the Office you know, plus the tools to help you work better together, so you can get more done—anytime, anywhere.

Topics in this article

More articles like this one.

How to introduce yourself in a presentation

Gain your audience’s attention at the onset of a presentation. Craft an impressionable introduction to establish tone, presentation topic, and more.

How to work on a group presentation

Group presentations can go smoothly with these essential tips on how to deliver a compelling one.

How to create a sales presentation

Engage your audience and get them interested in your product with this guide to creating a sales presentation.

7 tips for creating and presenting a webinar

Everything you need to achieve more in less time

Get powerful productivity and security apps with Microsoft 365

Explore Other Categories

• Walden University

How do I cite my sources in a PowerPoint presentation?

• Student-Facing Quick Answers
• Walden College of Nursing | Continuing Education
• zPop Up Widgets
• 119 Academic Residencies
• 267 Academic Skills Center
• 16 Accommodations
• 5 APA: in-text citations
• 3 APA: references
• 5 APA: Word formatting
• 12 Appointments
• 106 Archive
• 7 Capstone Intensive
• 9 Career Management
• 27 Career Planning & Development
• 13 Career Services Center
• 5 Center for Global, Professional, and Applied Learning
• 3 Commencement & Graduation
• 18 Course Materials
• 63 Course-Level Statistics
• 123 Customer Care Team
• 15 Disability Services
• 48 Dissertation
• 61 Doctoral Capstone
• 12 Doctoral Degree Coach
• 29 Doctoral Peer Mentors
• 48 Doctoral Study
• 28 Doctoral Writing Assessment
• 19 Doctoral Writing Workshops
• 7 ePortfolio
• 39 Field Experience
• 35 Financial Aid
• 18 Financial Services
• 18 Full Text
• 18 Google Scholar
• 2 Grammarly
• 8 Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• 31 International
• 1 International Student Finance Portal
• 15 Job Search
• 211 Library
• 39 Library Databases
• 34 Library Research
• 161 Library Skills
• 72 Literature Review
• 36 Mechanics/Punctuation
• 12 Methodology
• 29 Military Services
• 2 Military Spouses & Dependants
• 11 MS PowerPoint
• 10 MyWalden
• 7 Networking
• 12 New Students
• 5 Office 365
• 11 Office of Degree Acceleration
• 40 Office of Research and Doctoral Services
• 69 Policies
• 15 Practicum
• 32 Project Study
• 7 Reading Skills
• 19 Registration
• 12 School-Life Balance
• 29 Skills Courses
• 89 Software/Technology
• 4 Statistical Tests: Multivariate Methods
• 17 Statistical Tests: Probability and Regression
• 15 Statistical Tests: Tests of Mean Differences
• 48 Statistical Tools
• 61 Statistics
• 4 Student Organizations
• 4 Student Records
• 46 Student Success Advising
• 1 Student Wellness & Disability Services
• 6 Study Abroad
• 17 Study Skills
• 7 Taskstream
• 21 Textbooks & Course Materials
• 4 Transcripts
• 15 Tutoring
• 28 Veterans
• 20 Virtual Residency
• 363 Writing Center
• 3 Writing: Academic Writing

Answered By: Paul Lai Last Updated: Sep 15, 2023     Views: 1282980

To cite your sources within a PowerPoint presentation, you can include your references or in-text citations on each slide. You can (a) provide the references verbally, (b) provide a reference list slide at the end of your presentation with corresponding in-text citations, or (c) combine these.

For any presentation, be sure your audience knows where the information, visuals, and other materials you use are from. Remember to double-check the assignment requirements and your instructor’s preferences.

Additional Resources:

• See  How do I cite in APA?  for more common reference list examples.
• View more  information on how to create an APA style reference list  that you can use both in your PowerPoint and in your paper.
• Need to cite someone else’s presentation? See  How do I cite a PowerPoint presentation as a reference?

Further Questions?

Would you like a current or future assignment to be reviewed by the Writing Center?  If so please visit  the Writing Center's Paper Review Website  and make an appointment with us! 

Do you have other general writing questions? Ask OASIS .

Other questions about your doctoral capstone or the Form & Style review? E-mail the Dissertation Editors at  [email protected] .

Want to peruse other writing resources?  Go to the Writing Center’s homepage . 

• Share on Facebook

Help us do better. Was this helpful?

Related Topics

• Writing Center

More Information

Need more information? Ask us !

Or browse Quick Answers by Topic .

• Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

• Academic Residencies
• Academic Skills
• Career Planning and Development
• Customer Care Team
• Field Experience
• Military Services
• Student Success Advising
• Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

• Center for Social Change
• Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
• Office of Student Affairs
• Office of Degree Acceleration
• Office of Research and Doctoral Services

Student Resources

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Form & Style Review
• Quick Answers
• ScholarWorks
• SKIL Courses and Workshops
• Walden Bookstore
• Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
• Student Safety/Title IX
• Legal & Consumer Information
• Website Terms and Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Accessibility
• Accreditation
• State Authorization
• Net Price Calculator
• Cost of Attendance
• Contact Walden

Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.

• EXPLORE Random Article
• Happiness Hub

How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA

Last Updated: January 8, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 49,405 times.

When creating a reference list in American Psychological Association (APA) style, the point is to direct your readers to the source. This may be difficult if the source you want to cite is a PowerPoint presentation. if the presentation appears online, you can cite it like you would any other webpage. However, a live PowerPoint presentation should be cited as a "personal communication." [1] X Research source

Citing a Presentation Posted Online

• Example: Sunshine, S.J.

• Example: Sunshine, S.J. (2018).

• Example: Sunshine, S.J. (2018). Revolutionary uses of solar energy [PowerPoint slides].

• Example: Sunshine, S.J. (2018). Revolutionary uses of solar energy [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from https://www.sunnypower.com/revolution

APA Reference List Format

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from URL.

• Example: Solar energy has been experimentally used to power motor vehicles (Sunshine, 2018).

• Example: If motor vehicles could be retrofitted to run on solar power, America could "end its dependence on fossil fuels within 10 years" (Sunshine, 2018, slide 11).

Citing a Live Presentation

• Your instructor or advisor may want you to include an entry in your reference list. It's a good idea to ask in advance and follow their instructions.

• Example: (L. Lovegood,

• Example: (L. Lovegood, personal communication,

• Example:(L. Lovegood, personal communication, March 22, 2019).

APA Live Presentation In-Text Format

(A. A. Author, personal communication, Month Day, Year).

Expert Q&A

• With in-text citations, don't repeat information in the parenthetical citation that you've already included in your text. For example, if you've mentioned the author or presenter's name in your text, there's no need to include that name in your parenthetical citation. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/powerpoint-references
• ↑ https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/APA/lecture
• ↑ https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/apa/classnotes
• ↑ https://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2010/10/what-belongs-in-the-reference-list.html
• ↑ https://www.bibliography.com/citations/how-to-cite-a-lecture-in-apa-mla-and-chicago-styles/

About this article

Did this article help you?

• About wikiHow
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

APA 7th Edition Citation Examples

• Volume and Issue Numbers
• Page Numbers
• Undated Sources
• Citing a Source Within a Source
• In-Text Citations
• Academic Journals
• Encyclopedia Articles
• Book, Film, and Product Reviews
• Online Classroom Materials
• Conference Papers
• Technical + Research Reports
• Court Decisions
• Treaties and Other International Agreements
• Federal Regulations: I. The Code of Federal Regulations
• Federal Regulations: II. The Federal Register
• Executive Orders
• Charter of the United Nations
• Federal Statutes
• Dissertations and Theses
• Interviews, E-mail Messages + Other Personal Communications
• Social Media
• Business Sources

Format for PowerPoint presentations

How to format your powerpoint in apa style.

• AI: ChatGPT, etc.

Author last name, first initial. (Date). Title of the PowerPoint  [PowerPoint slides]. Host site. URL

Thomes, C. (n.d.). UMGC Library APA citation basics [PowerPoint slides]. University of Maryland Global Campus. https://libguides.umgc.edu/ld.php?content_id=68264148

In-text citation:

(Thomes, n.d.)

• << Previous: Business Sources
• Next: AI: ChatGPT, etc. >>
• Last Updated: Mar 18, 2024 12:55 PM
• URL: https://libguides.umgc.edu/apa-examples

University Libraries      University of Nevada, Reno

• Skill Guides
• Subject Guides

APA Citation Guide (7th Edition): Presentations and Class Notes

• Audiovisual Media
• Books and eBooks
• Dictionaries, Thesauruses and Encyclopedias
• Figures and Tables
• Generative AI
• Government Documents
• Journal, Magazine and Newspaper Articles
• Personal Communications
• Presentations and Class Notes
• Social Media
• Websites and Webpages
• In-Text Citation
• Reference List and Sample Papers
• Annotated Bibliography
• Citation Software

In-Text Citation or Reference List?

Handouts distributed in class and presentation slides such as PowerPoint should be cited both in-text and on the Reference list.

Your own notes from lectures are considered personal communications in APA style. They are cited within the text of your assignment, but do not get an entry on the Reference list.

Presentation Slides from a Website

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of presentation  [Lecture notes, PowerPoint Slides, etc.]. Publisher. URL

Kunka, J. L. (n.d.). Conquering the comma [PowerPoint presentation]. Purdue Online Writing Lab. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/index.html#presentations

Presentation Slides from WebCampus (Canvas)

Instructor, I. I. (Year Presentation Was Created).  Title of presentation  [PowerPoint presentation]. WebCampus. URL

Graham, J. (2013).  Introduction: Jean Watson  [PowerPoint presentation]. WebCampus. https://unr.instructure.com/login/canvas

Note : The first letter of the word Watson is capitalized as it is part of a person's name.

Class Handouts from WebCampus (Canvas)

Instructor, I. I. (Year Handout Was Created if known).  Title of handout  [Class handout]. WebCampus. URL

Magowan , A. (2013).  Career resources at the library   [Class handout]. WebCampus. https://unr.instructure.com/login/canvas

Class Handout in Print

Instructor, I. I. (Year Handout Was Created if known).  Title of handout  [Class handout]. University Name, Course code.

Wood, D. (2013).  Laboratory safety overview  [Class handout]. University of Nevada, Reno,  BIO173.

Class Lectures (Notes from)

Note : Your own notes from a lecture are considered personal communications in APA style. They are cited within the text of your assignment, but do not get an entry on the Reference list. Put the citation right after a quote or paraphrased content from the class lecture.

(I. I. Instructor who gave lecture, personal communication, Month Day, Year lecture took place)

"Infections are often contracted while patients are recovering in the hospital" (J. D. Black, personal communication, May 30, 2012).

• << Previous: Personal Communications
• Next: Social Media >>