How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA Style
Citing PowerPoint Presentations in APA 7th Edition
To cite a PowerPoint in APA 7th edition, follow the Author-Date format. Include the author's name, the year, the italicized title, the description [PowerPoint slides] in brackets, and the hosting platform or URL. For in-text citations, use the author's last name and the year of publication.
Step 1: Identify the Author and Publication Date
Start your citation by identifying who created the presentation. This is usually an individual professor or an organization. If the slides were created by a department, use the department name as the group author. Follow the author's name with the year the presentation was created or presented in parentheses. If no date is available, use (n.d.) for 'no date'. Accuracy in the date is crucial for helping readers locate the specific version of the materials you are referencing.
Step 2: Format the Title and Media Description
Write the title of the PowerPoint in italics using sentence case. This means you only capitalize the first word of the title, the first word of the subtitle, and any proper nouns. Immediately following the title, add the descriptive notation [PowerPoint slides] in square brackets. This description is essential in APA style because it informs the reader about the format of the source, distinguishing it from a standard book or journal article.
Step 3: List the Source or URL
Provide the name of the website or Learning Management System (LMS) where the slides are hosted, such as Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle. If the slides are available on a public website, provide the site name followed by the direct URL. If the slides are behind a login screen (like a university portal), provide the site name and the homepage URL of the portal rather than the direct link to the file, as the direct link will not work for readers without access.
Step 4: Create the In-Text Citation
When referencing the PowerPoint within your essay, use the standard APA author-date format. Place the author's last name and the year in parentheses. If you are quoting or paraphrasing a specific point, it is helpful to include the slide number to assist the reader. For example: (Smith, 2023, Slide 4). If you mention the author's name in your sentence, only the year (and slide number if applicable) needs to be in parentheses.
APA PowerPoint Citation Examples
### Reference List Entry (Online/LMS) `Jones, A. B. (2022). Advanced macroeconomics: Inflationary trends [PowerPoint slides]. Canvas @ NYU. https://canvas.nyu.edu/` ### Reference List Entry (Public Website) `Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Water quality standards [PowerPoint slides]. https://www.epa.gov/sites/water-quality-presentation.pptx` ### In-Text Citation (Paraphrase) `Rising inflation rates often correlate with increased consumer spending (Jones, 2022).` ### In-Text Citation (Specific Slide) `According to the EPA (2021), 'water runoff remains a primary concern' (Slide 12).`
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Citing classroom-only slides in the reference list: If your audience cannot access the slides (e.g., they aren't online), treat them as personal communication and only cite them in-text.
- Forgetting the brackets: Never omit [PowerPoint slides] after the title; this is a required format indicator in APA 7.
- Incorrect capitalization: Avoid using Title Case for the presentation title. Use sentence case as you would for a book title.
- Missing the site name: Always include the name of the platform (e.g., 'SlideShare' or 'Blackboard') before the URL.
Generate citations automatically
MLA, APA, and Chicago citations from any URL or DOI.
Related guides
Citations and References
APA 7th Edition In-Text Citation Rules
3 min read
Citations and References
How to Cite Lecture Notes in APA Style
4 min
Citations and References
How to Cite Sources in APA Format
6 min read
Citations and References
How to Do a Hanging Indent in Word
4 min
Citations and References
How to Cite a PDF in APA Style
4 min