Formatting & Referencing
APA Formatting Checklist for Students
Use this APA formatting checklist to review title pages, headings, in-text citations, references, tables, and layout.
Table of contents
- Title page
- Headings
- Citations
- References
- Tables and figures
Check the title page
Confirm your title page follows the required APA version and institutional instructions.
Review heading levels
Heading levels should show structure clearly and remain consistent throughout the document.
Match in-text citations to references
Every cited source should appear in the reference list, and every reference should be cited where required.
Inspect tables and figures
Labels, notes, spacing, and placement should follow the style guide.
FAQs
Do all APA papers need an abstract?
Not always. Check your assignment or institution instructions.
Can APA formatting be reviewed separately from editing?
Yes. Formatting support can be scoped separately.