How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA Format: A Comprehensive Guide

As someone who’s been creating academic presentations for over a decade, I’ve learned that proper citation is non-negotiable in scholarly work. Whether you’re a student submitting slides for an assignment, an educator sharing lecture materials, or a professional presenting research findings, knowing how to cite a PowerPoint in APA format is an essential skill. The good news? It’s not as complicated as it might seem.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about citing PowerPoint presentations according to the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition guidelines. From basic reference formats to handling special cases, we’ll cover it all with practical examples and expert advice.

Understanding the Basics of PowerPoint Citations in APA

Before diving into specific formats, it’s important to understand why PowerPoint citations matter. PowerPoint presentations often contain valuable information, data, and insights that can strengthen your own work. Just like books, journal articles, and websites, these presentations need proper attribution when you reference them.

According to the official APA Style website, the core principle behind citing PowerPoint slides is similar to other reference types: you need to provide enough information for your readers to locate the original source if possible (source). 

However, PowerPoint citations come with unique considerations:

– Accessibility: Is the presentation publicly available online, on a classroom website, or was it a private communication?

– Original sources: The APA emphasizes finding and citing original sources rather than secondary citations from slides

– Formatting: How to incorporate citations into your own PowerPoint presentations

Let’s explore each aspect in detail.

How to Create APA Reference List Entries for PowerPoint Presentations

The reference format for PowerPoint presentations varies depending on how you accessed the slides. Here are the main scenarios you’ll encounter:

Online PowerPoint Presentations

For PowerPoint presentations that are publicly available online, the University of Maryland Global Campus Library provides this clear format (source):

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the PowerPoint [PowerPoint slides]. Host site. URL

Let’s look at a real example:

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

Notice a few important details:

– The author’s last name comes first, followed by initial(s)

– “n.d.” is used when no date is provided

– The title is in italics

– [PowerPoint slides] appears in square brackets after the title

– The hosting institution or website is included

– The URL provides direct access to the slides

PowerPoint Presentations from Learning Management Systems

For slides accessed through a classroom website or learning management system (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard, or Brightspace, the format is slightly different. According to Southern New Hampshire University’s library guide (source), you should:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Name of LMS. URL of login page

Example:

Smith, J. (2023). Theories of human motivation [PowerPoint slides]. Canvas. https://canvas.university.edu/login

Important note: For LMS citations, you typically use the login URL since the actual content is behind a password. This alerts readers that they’ll need access privileges to view the source.

PowerPoint Presentations Not Available Online (Personal Communication)

If the PowerPoint presentation isn’t available online or through an LMS, it’s considered a personal communication. According to APA guidelines (source), personal communications are cited only in the text and not included in the reference list.

In-text example:

“According to Professor Johnson’s lecture slides (personal communication, October 15, 2023), cognitive behavioral therapy shows promise for treatment-resistant depression.”

In-Text Citations for PowerPoint Presentations

Once you’ve properly formatted your reference list entry, you need to know how to cite the PowerPoint within your text. The APA Style website explains that in-text citations for PowerPoint slides follow the standard author-date format (source):

Parenthetical Citation

When the author’s name isn’t mentioned in the sentence:

“Recent studies have shown a correlation between sleep quality and academic performance (Jones, 2020).”

Narrative Citation

When the author’s name is incorporated into the sentence:

“Jones (2020) demonstrated a strong correlation between sleep quality and academic performance.”

Citations with No Date

When no date is available, use “n.d.” in place of the year:

“The APA citation format has specific rules for electronic sources (Thomes, n.d.).”

Creating APA-Style PowerPoint Presentations

Now let’s turn the tables. What if you’re the one creating a PowerPoint presentation and need to follow APA guidelines? While the APA Publication Manual doesn’t have a specific section dedicated to PowerPoint formatting, we can apply the general principles to create professional, properly cited presentations.

Title Slide in APA Format

According to Hallmark University’s library guide, your title slide should mirror an APA title page (source):

• Title of the presentation (bold, centered, in title case)
• Your name
• Institutional affiliation
• Course number and name (if applicable)
• Instructor name (if applicable)
• Date

A sample title slide might look like this:

• The Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems
• (Bold, centered, larger font)
• Jane Doe
• Department of Environmental Science, University of Research
• ENV 301: Environmental Studies
• Professor Robert Smith
• October 24, 2023

In-Text Citations Within PowerPoint Slides

According to SOWELA Technical Community College’s library guide, you should include in-text citations on every slide where you reference someone else’s work (source). These citations follow the same format as in written papers:

– Place citations either in parentheses or as narrative citations

– Include author name and year

– For direct quotes, include page numbers when available

The Lone Star College library notes that you have some flexibility in how you present these citations in PowerPoint (source):

1. Standard parenthetical citation at the end of a statement

2. “Corner tucks” where you place the citation in smaller font in a corner of the slide

3. Consistent placement in the footer of each slide

Whichever method you choose, be consistent throughout your presentation.

Handling Images, Charts, and Graphs in PowerPoint

Southern New Hampshire University’s library guide explains that images, charts, and graphs should be treated as figures and cited accordingly (source). This means:

– Include an in-text citation near the visual element

– Add a caption below the image identifying it as a figure (e.g., “Figure 1”)

– Provide a brief, descriptive title

– Include the source information

An example of an image citation on a slide might look like:

Figure 1

Coastal Erosion in North Carolina (2010-2020)

Note: From “Climate Change Impacts on Atlantic Coastal Regions,” by J. Smith, 2021, Journal of Environmental Studies, 45(3), p. 78. Copyright 2021 by Environmental Publishing.

Clip Art and Stock Images

An important note about clip art: According to both SNHU and Hallmark University library guides, clip art that comes built into PowerPoint or Word doesn’t require citation (source). The APA Publication Manual (2020, p. 346) explicitly states that these elements don’t need attribution.

However, if you use stock photos or images from external sources, these should be cited properly as figures.

References Slide

Every APA-formatted PowerPoint presentation should end with a References slide. According to Purdue Global’s library guide, this slide should contain full citations for all sources mentioned in your presentation (source).

While traditional APA style requires hanging indents for references, PowerPoint doesn’t easily support this formatting. Therefore, as Lone Star College’s guide suggests, you may use either:

– A simple bulleted list of references

– Left-aligned references with a blank line between each entry

The key is to maintain consistency and provide complete reference information.

Special Cases and Common Questions

How to Handle Lecture Slides Provided by Your Professor

If your professor has shared lecture slides with your class through an LMS or email, and you want to cite them in your work, follow these guidelines from SNHU’s library (source):

Professor’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Name of LMS. URL of login page

Example:

Johnson, T. (2023). Introduction to psychopathology [PowerPoint slides]. Canvas. https://canvas.university.edu/login

In-text citation: (Johnson, 2023)

Citing Information from Slides When the Original Source is Available

The APA Style website emphasizes finding and citing original sources whenever possible (source). If a PowerPoint presentation references information from another source (like a journal article), it’s better to locate and cite that original source rather than citing the PowerPoint as a secondary source.

For example, if Professor Johnson’s slides mention a study by Williams and Brown (2018), try to find and cite the original Williams and Brown study rather than citing “Williams and Brown, as cited in Johnson, 2023.”

Font, Colors, and Design Elements in APA PowerPoints

Several of our sources, including Purdue Global (source) and the APA Style website, note that the APA doesn’t provide specific guidelines for PowerPoint design elements like fonts, colors, or animations. These choices are left to the presenter’s discretion.

However, I recommend following these general best practices:

– Use simple, readable fonts (sans-serif fonts like Arial or Calibri work well)

– Maintain high contrast between text and background

– Use consistent formatting throughout the presentation

– Avoid excessive animations that might distract from your content

– Ensure citations are visible and properly contrasted against the background

Comprehensive Example of PowerPoint Citations

To illustrate these principles, let’s look at a comprehensive example of how to cite various types of sources within a PowerPoint presentation:

Slide Content:

“Climate change poses significant threats to coastal ecosystems, including erosion, habitat loss, and saltwater intrusion (Environmental Protection Agency, 2022).

A recent study found that sea levels along the Atlantic coast have risen by an average of 3.4mm per year since 1990 (Johnson & Smith, 2021).”

Image on Slide:

[Description: A graph showing sea level rise from 1990-2020]

Figure 1

Atlantic Coast Sea Level Rise, 1990-2020

Note: From “Climate Change and Coastal Impacts,” by R. T. Johnson & K. Smith, 2021, Journal of Environmental Science, 56(2), p. 117. Copyright 2021 by Environmental Publishing.

References Slide:

References

Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Climate impacts on coastal areas. https://www.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-coastal-areas

Johnson, R. T., & Smith, K. (2021). Climate change and coastal impacts: A 30-year analysis. Journal of Environmental Science, 56(2), 112-128. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2021.56.2.112

Williams, C. (n.d.). Coastal protection strategies [PowerPoint slides]. Canvas. https://canvas.university.edu/login

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing PowerPoints in APA

Based on my experience and the sources consulted, here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Forgetting to specify [PowerPoint slides] in the reference: This bracketed information is crucial for identifying the resource type.

2. Citing the PowerPoint when you should cite the original source: Always try to find and cite primary sources.

3. Inconsistent citation placement in your slides: Pick one approach (parenthetical, corner tuck, or footer) and stick with it.

4. Neglecting to include a References slide: All cited works must appear on a References slide at the end of your presentation.

5. Over-citing clip art: Remember that built-in PowerPoint clip art doesn’t need citation.

6. Missing key elements in the reference: Each citation needs author, date (or n.d.), title, [PowerPoint slides], and retrieval information.

Best Practices for APA-Style PowerPoint Presentations

To create effective, APA-compliant PowerPoint presentations:

– Keep slides clean and readable: Avoid text-heavy slides; use bullet points for main ideas.

– Use bias-free language: Follow APA guidelines for inclusive language.

– Cite as you go: Add citations immediately when adding content from other sources.

– Create a reference management system: Use tools like Zotero or Mendeley to track sources.

– Double-check accessibility: Ensure your color choices, fonts, and contrast are accessible to all viewers.

– Proofread thoroughly: Check for spelling, grammar, and citation accuracy before finalizing.

According to the Purdue OWL APA resource, which provides downloadable slides reviewing APA citation style, consistency is key in all aspects of APA formatting (source).

Conclusion: Mastering PowerPoint Citations in APA

Learning how to cite a PowerPoint in APA format is an investment in your academic and professional credibility. Whether you’re referencing someone else’s presentation or creating your own, proper citation demonstrates respect for intellectual property and strengthens your work’s foundation.

Remember these key takeaways:

1. PowerPoint citations vary based on accessibility (online, LMS, or personal communication)

2. Include [PowerPoint slides] in square brackets after the title

3. Follow standard APA author-date format for in-text citations

4. Create a title slide similar to an APA title page

5. Cite sources on each slide where they appear

6. Include a References slide with complete citation information

7. Seek out original sources when possible

8. Apply general APA principles while recognizing that specific PowerPoint design elements are flexible

By applying these guidelines consistently, you’ll create professional presentations that meet academic standards and properly credit the work of others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Remember, when in doubt about specific citation cases, consult the official APA Style website or your institution’s writing center for guidance. Proper citation is not just about following rules; it’s about respecting intellectual contributions and building on the collective knowledge of your field.