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APA Formatting using MS Word 2010+: Header and Page Numbering with MS Word 2010+

Provides instructions for overall APA paper appearance and how to use MS Word 2010+ to achieve that appearance.

PDF Handout

MS Word 2010+ Instructions for APA Header

1.  Start a new Word document.

 

2.  Click the Insert tab > Header option > Blank

screen capture of insert>header>blank in Word

 

3.  Click the Design tab > "Different First Page" check box.

screen shot displaying Different First Page Check Box

 

4.  Type: Running head: TITLE OF PAPER HERE ALL IN CAPS  [if it's very long you may leave out the sub-title.]

 

5.  Tab cursor to the right margin. If you see the ruler, stop it at 6.5.

Screen capture of ruler in MS Word showing 6.5

 

6.  Page Number option > Current Position option > Plain Number

Screen capture of Page Number > Current Position option in MS Word

 

 

7.  Close Header & Footer Tools tab.

Screen capture of the button that closes the Header/Footer tab

 

8.  Strike the [Enter] key 9 times (more or less).

9.  Type in your title [Enter], your name [Enter], your school [Enter]

10.  Hold the Ctrl key and strike Enter key, creating a new page, page 2.

11.  Double click high in the top margin of page 2, opening the Header & Footer Tools tab again.

12.  Type the title all in caps.

13.  Tab cursor to the right margin, as you did previously. If you see the ruler, stop it at 6.5.

Screen capture of MS Word ruler at 6.5

 

14.  Page Number option > Current Position option > Plain Number

Screen capture of Page Number option/ Current Position in MS Word

 

15.  Close Header & Footer Tools tab.

Screen capture of button that closes the Header/Footer tools tab

 

16.  Type the rest of your paper, including the references. The header will apear with the correct page numbers automatically.

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Lisa Bartle
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