How to Configure the APA Format in Word to Write a Scientific Paper

If you want to write a scientific paper in Word and make it perfect, you must configure the APA format in said programif you don’t know how to do this, don’t worry, in the following article we will explain the procedure to achieve this configuration.

Which parts of the document should be configured when applying APA formatting in Word?

The parts of the document that must be configure when applying APA format in Word They are the ones that will be shown below:

Margin and bleed size

The margin of the pages of a work must be the first part to be configuredthe APA standards seventh edition informs that these must have 1 inch or 2.54 centimeters for each side of the page, this size can be changed in case you are doing a thesis and your tutor indicates it.

As for the indentation, it should go at each beginning of the paragraphs of the left margin, the size should be 0.50 inches in centimeters are 1.27.

paper dimensions

The size of the paper or page must be letter, its dimensions must be 21.59 cm x 27.94 cm paper

Page numbering changed

The pages of the work according to the APA standards They must have page numbers on each one.a, these should be located at the top right. Page numbers should also go on covers, pages with tables, images and figures. These numbers must be Arabic.

Font type and font size

The APA standards indicate that several fonts and sizes are allowed for the works, these types were chosen, since they are available in many transcription tools and because in addition can be easily understood. The allowed fonts and font sizes are as follows:

• Sans serif fonts: in these we can find Arial size 11, Lucida Sans Unicode and Calibri size 11 as well.
• Serif fonts: size 12, Times New Roman size 12 and Computer Modern regular size 10

Existing abbreviations in the text

Abbreviations consist of shortening words, sAccording to APA standards, these are allowed in works, in the same way, informs that each one of them must have a period at the end or, if desired, a diagonal bar. The APA standards give an abbreviation table with some words, among them we can find:

• Second edition= 2nd. ed.
• Editor= Ed.
• Publishers = Eds.
• Translator(s)= Trad.
• Chapter = Cap.
• Editing = ed.
• Revised edition = Ed. Rev
• Number= No.
• Part = Pt.
• Technical report= Technical Info.
• Supplement = Suppl

What is the way to put the APA format in this word processor?

Placing the APA format in the Word text processor is very simple, below we will show you how to do it in the different versions:

For recent versions of this program

The first that you must do is set margin, To do this, you must locate yourself in the blank Word document, go to the Page Design section, within it look for the Margins option, click on it and select the one with the correct measurements, which are 2.54 centimeters on each side. In the same Insert section press on size and select the Letter option.

Now go to the start section, right click on one of the paragraph styles that are shown, in the editing panel, modify the font and size, remember that it can be Arial size 11, Calibri 11 among others. Click on the aligned and place it to the left, also select the Justified option so that the text is justified.

In the same panel, select the Format option, a new panel will be shown, in it click on the indent option, click on the first line option and place the amount of indentation. This should be 1.27 centimeters or 0.50 inches. on the same board select the line spacing option and set it to double.

To add numbering to the pages you must go to the Insert section, click on the Page number option, there select the page number format, these must go in the upper right part of each page.

If you have Word 2010 and earlier versions

Start by configuring the margin and the dimensions of the page, to achieve this you must go to the page design section located at the top, there you will find the option Marginsselect the corresponding margin that is 2.54 centimeters on each side, to modify the dimensions of the page you must click on the Size option, select the Letter option.

Now go to the start section then select one of the styles in it, click on ‘Modify’, when you do this you will be shown an editing panel, in it you must modify the font and sizethe font can be Arial, Calibri size 11. Click on the aligned and place it to the left, also select the ‘Justified’ option so that the text is justified.

To add the hanging indent you must press on the Format option, then you must press on the Paragraph option, on the new page select the indent option and place it at 1.27 centimeters. Now you must proceed to place page numbers, for this you must go to the Page Design section and click on the Page Number option, remember these must be located in the upper right part

From the Microsoft Online site

The procedure for place APA standards in the Microsoft Online program is the same as for the latest versions of the program.

Why is this type of formatting not allowed in my Word document?

APA format can be placed in all Word documents, if not, it is because the program is crashingin that case we recommend that you remove the program and again download and install Word, or any other version.