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How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs

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What Is MLA Format?

• Step-by-Step: Use an MLA Format Template in Docs
• Extra: How to Do MLA Format on Docs

How to Set MLA Works Cited in Google Docs

How to create a hanging indent in google docs.

If you use your Google Drive for schoolwork, you should know how to do MLA format on Google Docs . There is a Google Docs template you can use, but it helps to know how to set up MLA format manually as well.

Instructions in this article apply to the web version of Google Docs. The steps are the same for all web browsers and operating systems .

While your instructor may have specific requirements, the general guidelines for MLA format are as follows:

• Size 12 Times New Roman font
• Double-spaced text with no extra spaces between paragraphs
• One-inch page margins on all sides
• A header with your last name and a page number in the top-right of every page
• Your full name, the instructor's name, the course name, and the due date in the top-left of the first page
• A centered title above the body text
• Body paragraphs begin with a 1/2 inch indent
• A Works Cited page at the end of the paper

How to Use an MLA Format Template in Google Docs

Google Docs has some templates available that can help users get a jump on formatting documents. The Google Docs Report MLA add-on is one such template. To set up MLA in Google Docs using this template:

Open a new document and select File > New > From template .

The template gallery will open in a separate browser tab. Scroll down to the Education section and select Report MLA Add-on .

There are also templates for other academic styles such as APA.

A new document will open with dummy text that you can replace with your own. The formatting for the document will already be in place. You won't need to change anything but the words.

How to Do MLA Format on Docs

If you don't trust using a template, or if you have an altered version of MLA format you must stick to, then you can also set up MLA format in Google Docs manually. Once you've set it up, you can also save it as your own, customized template so you don't have to do it again the next time you need the format.

Change the font to Times New Roman and the font size to 12 .

Google Docs uses 1-inch margins on all sides by default, so there is no need to adjust the margins.

Select Insert > Headers & footers > Header .

If you want to remove the headers from your Google Doc later, it's a simple process if you're using Google Docs in a web browser. A little harder if you're using Google Docs on an iOS and Android mobile device

Note that the font for the header changes back to the default. Change it to 12 point Times New Roman , then select Right Align .

Type your last name followed by a space, then select Insert > Page numbers .

Adjust your Page numbers options as needed and then select Apply .

Click or tap anywhere below the header, then select Format > Line Spacing > Double .

Alternatively, you can click the Line spacing icon in the toolbar at the top of the page and choose Double .

Type your name , the instructor's name , the course name , and the due date on separate lines.

Press Enter to go to the next line, then select Center Align and type the title of your paper .

Capitalize the first letter of every major word. Do not use bold, italics, or other text formatting options.

Press Enter to go to the next line, then select Left Align .

Press the Tab key to indent, then start typing your first paragraph. Begin every new paragraph with an indent.

After you finish the body of your paper, select Insert > Break > Page Break to create a blank page for the Works Cited page.

The last page of your paper should begin with the words “Works Cited” (without quotation marks) centered below the heading. The format for each works cited entry is different depending on the format of the source. For example, use this format for articles found on the web:

• Author name (last, first). "Title." Publication, Date (day, month, year). URL. Accessed date.

Therefore, an entry for an online news article may appear as follows:

• Kelion, Leo. "Coronavirus: UK contact-tracing app is ready for Isle of Wight downloads." BBC News, 4, May, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52532435 . Accessed 8 May 2020.

Sources should be alphabetized by the author's last name. All works cited entries should have a hanging indent , which means that each line after the first is indented.

For specific examples of how to put different types of sources in MLA format, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website .

To get a hanging indent in Google Docs for your Works Cited page:

Highlight all of the text on your Works Cited page and select Format > Align & Indent > Indentation options .

In the Indention options dialog box select Hanging from the Special indent dropdown box and then select Apply .

The default ident of 0.5 inches is acceptable for MLA style.

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How to Format Your Essay in MLA Style Using Google Docs

by Mel Beasley | Jan 23, 2021 | Academic Writing

Information is taken from the 8th edition MLA Handbook, latest version, 2022. 

MLA format was created by the Modern Language Association and is a widely used styling for research papers and academic essays. If you’re a college student, you’ll notice that MLA format is required in liberal arts and humanities subjects. 

Most professors will strongly recommend that you use Microsoft Word to format your essays, but some students might not have access to this paid software. If this is the case, it is possible to format your essay in MLA style correctly while using the free Google Docs app within your Gsuite. This guide will show you exactly how to format your essay properly in MLA style using Google Docs. This guide only covers the basics of formatting such as margins, spacing, etc., so please see our other resources for further MLA formatting guidelines

What will we cover?

• Proper MLA font style and size
• Margins and header
• First-page title information
• Body-paragraph spacing

1. Open your blank document

To get started with your essay, you’ll need to log in to your Gmail account. Once signed in, you should be looking at your email dashboard.

• Look to your profile image and name at the top right.
• Click on the squared dot icons to view your apps.
• You should see “Docs” as one of your options.
• Click on “Docs.”

2. Set the font and size

In MLA format, you may only use Times New Roman font at size 12. It’s understandable if you’re feeling the urge to get creative with styling but don’t. Stay focused on following the MLA style guidelines and you’ll save yourself valuable grade points later. 

When you open Google Docs, the font and size are set automatically, so make sure you manually make tweaks to these settings. Unlike MS Word, Google Docs only has one main view with all options listed in dropdowns. This simplicity should help you easily set up your document without getting lost.

How do you do it?

• In Google Docs, you’ll see your font and size dropdowns slightly off-center left of the page.
• Select Times New Roman .
• Select size 12 .

2. Set the margins in MLA format

MLA Style requires that your margins stay set to 1 inch around the entire page.

• Click on File at the top left of the page.
• Click on Page Setup.

• Next, you’ll see a popup appear in the middle of the screen.
• Check to make sure all the boxes for the top, bottom, left, and right are set to 1 inch.

3. How to add your name and page number in Google Docs 2020

Properly formatting your essay in MLA Style using Google Docs has a few extra steps compared to doing the same thing in MS Word, but as long as you follow this guide, you shouldn’t have any issues making it happen. Keep in mind that not adding your name and page numbers to your document could count against your grade. This part of formatting is very easy to do, and it’s not worth losing grade points over, so don’t forget this step!

• Select Insert.
• Hover over Headers & Footers .
• Select Header .

• A header section should appear.
• Change your font to Times New Roman and your font size to 12 .
• Make sure the box next to “Different first page” is unchecked or the header won’t show on every page.
• Type your last name only and make a single space .

• Before navigating out of the header, you’ll need to insert the page number.
• Select Insert again.
• Hover over Page Numbers .
• Select the first option .
• When your page number appears in your header, you can simply select the middle of your page with your cursor to make the header changes stick.

4. How to set double-spaced lines in Google Docs

MLA Style requires that all your body text be double-spaced. This helps your essay look cleaner and easier to read. 

• Click on the Line Spacing icon.
• In the dropdown, select Double . 

5. How to set name and title information

The name, assignment type, date, and essay title are the first things your professor sees in your essay because they’re at the top of the first page.

Before you begin writing the first draft of your essay, go ahead and enter the name, course, and date information. MLA Format requires a very specific setup for how this information is listed in your essay. You should list your first and last name, the professor’s name, the course number, and the date all on designated lines. This information should be neatly aligned to the left of the page. 

How do you format your name and course info in MLA Format?

• You’ll need the first page of your MLA Style essay to contain your name , professor’s name , course number , and the date in that order. 
• Align the essay information to the left of the page.
• Hit Enter once before writing your essay title in the Center of the page.  
• Hit Enter once, Align Left , and tab over a half-inch before you begin writing your essay text.

The finished title information should look like this:

Not sure how to set your indent to a half-inch in Google Docs?

Google docs should already have your half-inch indentation automatically set, but here’s how to do it just in case.

• Select Format .
• Hover over Align & Indent .
• Select Indentation Options .

• You’ll see a popup appear in the center of the screen.
• Enter .5 in the box beside Left .
• Hit Apply .

That’s all there is to properly set up your essay in MLA Format using Google Docs. Good luck!

Mel Beasley has a bachelor’s in creative writing and journalism from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He brings 9+ years of digital marketing and writing experience to the table by writing for publications such as Lumina News and Encore Magazine. He spent 2 years as a college-level writing tutor, and is a certified writing tutor through the CRLA, which is a prestigious cert recognized by the Association for the Coaching & Tutoring Profession. He is a professional SEO blogger with experience writing for brands such as Boardworks Education and The Greater Wilmington Business Journal. One of his latest website and marketing projects has been building the website for the now New York Times Bestselling author, Nina de Gramont .

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How to Create an MLA Format Template in Google Docs With Examples

6 December 2023

last updated

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style has specific guidelines that regulate the formatting of essays for purposes of consistency in the appearance of texts. Basically, a format template in Google Docs is an ideal way of capturing most of the formatting guidelines without the need to rely on the MLA manual heavily. Consequently, this guide focuses on the use of MLA templates in Google Docs. Then, the guide opens with a detailed description of Google Docs and its value to learners. Also, this manual explains the fundamentals of working with ready MLA templates. In turn, the guide provided a step by step instructions for the manual creation of an MLA format template in Google Docs.

MLA 9 Format in Google Docs

Google Docs is a word processor made for use in the online environment. In this case, students utilize multiple functionalities of Google Docs to complete typed assignments that require specialized formatting in MLA 9. Basically, Google Docs can work on any web browser application if users log in to their Google accounts via different browsers. Nonetheless, Google Chrome is the ideal browser because of its high compatibility with other Google applications, for instance, Google Drive. Then, Google Docs allows students to access their documents even in situations where they do not have their laptops because of its integration with Google Drive. Also, Google Docs provides an alternative to commercial word processors because it has nearly all fundamental functionalities despite being free. In turn, students are quickly moving from standalone hardware-based word processors in the contemporary learning environment because Google Docs overcomes their major shortcomings in creating an MLA format template.

Ready MLA 9 Format Template in Google Docs

Google Docs contains a ready format template for MLA papers. Basically, students may access the template by clicking on the “File” tab, which reveals a dropdown menu (marker 1; see fig. 1). Next, scholars click on the “New” option (marker 2) on the menu to generate another dropdown menu that contains a “From template” option (marker 3). Then, the “Template gallery” opens in a separate window after clicking “From template” (marker 4). Moreover, students scroll down to the “Education” category (marker 5), which contains the ready template with the label “Report: MLA” (marker 6).

Fig. 1. Locating a ready MLA format template in Google Docs

Setting Up Major Sections of an MLA Format Template in Google Docs

1. authorship credentials.

On a black document, students click the “Left align” shortcut on the toolbar (marker 1; see fig. 2). Basically, this action ensures that any text written on the document starts at the left margin. Then, scholars write their full names, the name of the instructor, the name of the course, and the date of submission. In this case, each of these details occupies separate lines (marker 2). Also, students should not change the arrangement of the components of the authorship credentials (marker 2).

Fig. 2. The arrangement of authorship credentials.

2. Title of the Paper

Scholars press the enter key once, while the cursor is at the end of the “Submission Date” component to move to the next line (marker 1; see fig. 3). In this case, authors type the title of the paper and highlight it (marker 2). Then, students click the “Format” tab (marker 3), which opens a dropdown menu with an “Align and indent” section (marker 4). After clicking the “Align and indent” option, writers select the “Center” option (marker 5), which moves the title from its left margin alignment to the center of the page (marker 6). Finally, scholars use title case styling to guide the capitalization of the title of the paper.

Fig. 3. Setting up the title of the paper.

3. Works Cited Page

After the last word of the essay, students insert a section break, which appears as a dotted line, to ensure that MLA Works Cited begins on a new page (marker 1; see fig. 4). Basically, the procedure for inserting a section break begins with a click on the “Insert” tab (marker 2), which reveals a dropdown menu that contains the “Break” option (marker 3). Then, authors click “Break” on the menu to generate another dropdown menu on its right, which has the “Section break (next page)” (marker 4). Moreover, scholars type the words “Works Cited” and center them at the top of the new page (marker 5). In turn, each Works Cited entry is a paragraph with hanging indentation (marker 6). Besides, the hanging indentation styling occurs under the “indentation options” function, as shown by marker 7 in figure 3.

Fig. 4. Styling the MLA 9 Works Cited page.

Elements With Standardised Styling Throughout an MLA Format Template in Google Docs

1. page numbers.

Authors double click the header area of the paper, which transfers the cursor from the essay text to the left margin of the header (marker 1; see fig. 5). Next, students click the “Right align” icon to move the cursor to the right margin of the header (marker 2). Besides, writers click the “Insert” tab to open the dropdown menu (marker 3), which contains the “Page numbers” section (marker 4). Finally, students choose the page number format that results in the inclusion of a page number on the upper right corner of the paper (marker 5). In turn, scholars should ensure that page numbers are Arabic numerals beginning from “1” on the first page of the paper.

Fig. 5. Inserting page numbers.

After inserting page numbers, writers shift the cursor that lies on the right margin to the front of the page number (marker 1; see fig. 6). Subsequently, authors type the word “Surname,” which holds the position where their last name would appear in the header (marker 2). In turn, it is worth noting that there is a single space between the page number and the word “Surname.” Also, scholars should not check the “Different first page” (marker 3).

Fig. 6. Creating headers for an MLA format template in Google Docs.

Before commencing the procedure for setting the font type and size, students should select all the content on the paper using the “Ctrl + A” keyboard shortcut. For example, writers click on the down arrow in the font tab on the toolbar, which presents a list of commonly used fonts (marker 1; see fig. 7). Then, authors select the “Times New Roman” font on the list (marker 2). In turn, MLA formatting guidelines do not identify a fixed font. However, it emphasizes that there should be a readily discernible difference between the regular type style and italics for any font type, which the author decides to use. As a result, scholars adjust the size of the letters by clicking the down arrow in the font size tab and choosing 12-point (marker 3).

Fig. 7. Setting the font and font size.

The first action in the process of setting the margin length is to open the page setup window, which authors achieve by clicking on the “File” tab and navigate to the “Page setup” option (marker 1; see fig. 8). Upon clicking the “Page setup” option on the “File” tab’s dropdown menu, the page setup window appears in front of the text (marker 2). On the window, students choose “Whole document” in the “Apply to” segment (marker 3). Besides, scholars set the margin distance for the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the paper to 2.54 centimeters.

Fig. 8. Adjusting margins.

Students use the “Ctrl + A” keyboard shortcut to select all the text in the document before starting the line space adjustment process. Firstly, authors click on the “Format” tab (marker 1) and pick the “Line spacing” option (marker 2; see fig. 9). In this case, the “Line spacing” option generates a dropdown menu on its right where scholars select the appropriate line spacing (marker 3). Typically, MLA uses double spacing, but students should ascertain that the convention agrees with the instructor’s technical requirements for the assignment. In turn, writers uncheck the “Add space before paragraph” and “Add space after paragraph” settings to eliminate unnecessary extra spacing between paragraphs (marker 4).

Fig. 9. Setting the appropriate line spacing.

6. Indentation

The “indentation options” window appears after students click on “Indentation options” under the “Align and indent” segment of the “Format” tab’s dropdown menu (see fig. 3). In this case, the “indentation options” window has two core aspects: “Indentation” and “Special indent” (marker 1; see fig. 10). In the “Indentation” section, writers set the left and right indentation distance to zero. Then, the “Special indent” feature allows authors to indent the first line of each body paragraph by 1.27 centimeters (markers 3 and 4).

Fig. 10. Half inch indentation for body paragraphs.

Saving an MLA Format Template in Google Docs

Google Docs does not allow a user with the standard free version of the application to save custom templates. However, authors may overcome this limitation by reusing an original MLA format template. After creating the template, writers should save the document. Later, scholars could retrieve the template for use by opening the document and clicking on the “Make a copy” option on the “File” tab’s dropdown menu (markers 1 and 2; see fig. 11). In turn, a copy of the original MLA format template will be opened in a separate window, which ensures the preservation of the formatting and styling of the original template.

• Students should make time to create custom templates for their MLA papers, which may reduce the time required to complete a paper by eliminating the time allocation for formatting.
• The presence of an MLA sample paper does not mean that students should not inspect the final draft’s formatting against the instructor’s instructions.
• It is advisable to start with the first and last pages during the process of creating a template because of their unique formatting demands.
• Writers must ensure that an MLA 9 format template in Google Docs is always up to date with changes that may occur to the MLA 9 manual.
• The creation of a personal MLA format template aids authors to internalize MLA 9 guidelines as compared to the reliance on ready templates.

Also, check out how to create an APA format template in Google Docs .

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

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How to Do MLA Format on Google Docs [Step-by-Step Guide]

• Last updated March 30, 2023

Google Docs is a widely-used online word-processing tool that offers various formatting options, including MLA. Knowing how to do MLA format on Google Docs can save you a lot of time and effort in formatting your document correctly.

To set up MLA format on Google Docs, go to the “File” menu and select “Page setup.” Set the margins to 1 inch and the font to Times New Roman (size 12). Use the “Format” menu to set double spacing and hanging indents for your citations. Include a works cited page at the end of your document.

Whether you’re new to MLA formatting or simply need a refresher, this guide will help you get your document formatted correctly and ready to submit.

Table of Contents

What Is MLA Format?

MLA (Modern Language Association)  is a commonly-used formatting style in academic writing, especially in humanities, literature, and social sciences papers. If you’re a student or scholar, your research papers and essays will probably require you to learn how to use MLA format on Google Docs .

MLA follows a set of rules that govern how academic papers should be formatted. Additionally, it includes guidelines on structuring the paper, citing sources, and creating a Works Cited page. These format guidelines are designed to make academic papers easy to read while maintaining a consistent structure that will be accepted by your instructor or publisher.

Which Criteria Are Needed for MLA Formatting?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of using MLA format on Google Docs , it’s essential to understand what criteria you’ll need to meet to format your paper correctly:

• Font : The font size should be 12pt. Use a legible font such as Times New Roman (recommended font style).
• Page Numbers : Include page numbers in the top-right corner of each page, half an inch from the top of the page.
• Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides of your document.
• Line Spacing: Use double-spacing throughout your document, including the Works Cited page.
• Indentation:  Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
• Header: The header should include your last name and the page number (with a space in between).
• Title: In the top-left corner, create a title page with your name, the instructor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title should be centered on the first page and written in the title case. It should not be bolded, underlined, or in a larger font.
• In-text Citations: Whenever you use information from a source, you must provide an in-text citation. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information was found, e.g., (Smith 45).
• Works Cited: Include a separate page titled “Works Cited” at the end of your document. List your sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If there is no author, you may use the title. Each entry should include the author’s name, the title of the work, publication information, and medium of publication. The Works Cited page should have a hanging indent.
• Quotations: Use double quotation marks to enclose short quotations and block quotations for long quotations of more than four lines.
• Capitalization:  Use sentence case for titles of works and capitalize the first word (and all other words) except for prepositions and articles.

How to Set Up MLA Format in Google Docs

Setting up an MLA format is a straightforward process. Simply follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Open a New Google Doc

To set up MLA format in Google Docs:

• Open Google Docs .
• Click the “Blank”  option to create a new, empty document that can be formatted according to MLA guidelines.

Step 2: Set Margins and Page Size

Adjust the margins and page size to match MLA requirements. To do this:

• Click on “File”  in the top-left corner of your document.
• Select “Page setup” in the drop-down menu.

• Change the page size to “8.5 x 11”  in the “Page Setup”  window.

• Next, set the margins for your document to 1 inch on all sides.

Step 3: Set Font and Font Size

Next, set your document’s font and size. MLA guidelines recommend a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman, Arial) and a 12-point font size. To change the font and font size:

• Click the “Font”  drop-down menu in the top toolbar.

• Select the suggested font and size. In this case, Times New Roman. You can find the font size tab next to the font style.

Step 4: Set Line Spacing

MLA format requires double-spaced text throughout the document, including the Works Cited page. To set line spacing in Google Docs:

• First, click on the  “Line spacing”  drop-down menu in the top toolbar.
• Next, select “Double.”

Step 5: Add a Header

One of the critical elements of MLA formatting is a header that appears at the top of every page, including the first page. The header should include your last name and the page number, with the page number aligned with the right margin. To add a header:

• Click “Insert” in the top toolbar.
• Select “Header & page footer” and select “Header.”

• Type your last name in the header section, and click “Right align.”

• Select the “Page number”  option in the drop-down menu.
• Choose the option to add page numbers to the top-right corner of the page.

Step 6: Add a Title

The title of your paper should be centered and typed in the same font and font size as the rest of your document. To add a title:

• Type it in the center of the first page using  “Center Align,” with no additional formatting (like bold or underline).

The title should appear like this:

Step 7: Add In-Text Citations

In-text citations are used to credit sources in your paper’s body. MLA formatting requires including the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found (added in parentheses after the quoted or paraphrased text). To add an in-text citation:

• Type the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses after the relevant text.

Step 8: Create a Works Cited Page

To get MLA formatting on Google Docs right, you’ll need a  Works Cited page that lists all the sources cited in your paper. You must cite all sources used in your paper, including direct quotes and summarized information.

To create a Works Cited page in Google Docs , follow the steps outlined below:

• Type  “Works Cited”  at the top of a new page.
• List your sources alphabetically by the author’s last name, using hanging indents (where the first line is flush left and subsequent lines are indented) .
• Each entry should include the author’s name, the title of the source, publication information, and the medium of publication.

The formatting for each source type (e.g., book, journal article, website) may differ slightly. Consult the MLA Handbook or a reliable online source  for guidance.

Note: I f you’re citing a source with multiple authors, you must use “et al.” after the first author’s name.

Format Citations in the Works Cited Page

In MLA format, citations on the Works Cited page should be formatted with a hanging indent and double-spaced lines. To create a hanging indent in Google Docs , do the following:

• Click on the “Format”  drop-down menu in the top toolbar.
• Select “Align & indent.”
• Click on “Indentation options.”

• Select “Hanging” in the “Special indent”  drop-down menu.
• Then, set the indent to 0.5 inches.

Step 10: Check Your Formatting

Once you’ve completed all the steps for setting up an MLA-friendly doc in Google Docs, double-check your formatting to ensure that it meets all of the required guidelines. This includes reviewing your margins, font size, line spacing, header, and Works Cited page to ensure that they follow MLA guidelines.

That’s it! You’ve successfully set up MLA format in Google Docs.

How to Use MLA Format Google Docs Template

To set Google Docs to MLA format, there’s a template that’s incredibly simple to use:

• Open Google Docs and click “Template Gallery”  at the top of the screen.
• Select the “MLA” template.

• Start typing! The template comes pre-formatted with all the necessary margins, line spacing, and font size.

How Do You Add MLA Citations in Google Docs?

To add a citation, place your cursor where you want the citation to go. Then, do the following:

• Click on the  “Tools”  menu, then click “Citation.”

• Select “MLA (8th Ed.)”  as the citation format. Then, click “Add citation source.”

• If you’re citing a new source, you’ll need to enter the author’s name, title, publisher, and other information. You can choose from your previously-added sources if you select a citation source.

Tips for Writing an Essay

While formatting your paper is essential, it’s also vital to ensure your content’s message is strong. Here are some tips for writing an essay that will stand out:

• Start with a strong thesis statement:  Your thesis statement should be clear, concise, and argumentative. It’s the backbone of your essay, so take the time to get it right.
• Use concrete examples: Don’t just tell your reader something — show them specific examples to make your arguments more convincing.
• Edit, edit, edit:  Your first draft will never be perfect, so take the time to revise and edit your work. Read through your essay multiple times and have someone else read it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make an mla cover page on googl e docs.

MLA format doesn’t require a cover page, but if your instructor does, here’s how to create a cover page on Google Docs:

• Create a new document in Google Docs.
• Go to “Insert”  in the top menu and select “Page Break.”
• Type your title, name, instructor’s name, and date on the new page. All of this information should be double-spaced and centered on the page.
• Hit “Enter”  a few times to create space between the information you just typed and the rest of your paper.
• Go to “Insert”  in the top menu and select  “Header & Page Number”  to add a header to your cover page.
• Type your last name and the page number in the header. This information should be right-justified.

What Is the Newest MLA Format?

The newest MLA format is the 9th edition, released in 2021. The ninth edition includes added chapters on inclusive language and formatting an MLA-style paper.

One of the main changes in the ninth edition is the formatting of tables. Tables are now labeled and numbered, with the label and title placed in bold above the table on separate lines. A caption providing information about the source is placed below the table.

When Do I Use a Hanging Indent in MLA Format?

Aside from these basic steps, there are other formatting considerations when working with MLA format.

For example, if you’re using quotes that are longer than four lines, they should have a hanging indent  and be separated from the rest of the text.

Wrapping Up

After reading this guide, you should confidently know how to do MLA format on Google Docs. Remember: Writing is a process, and it takes time and practice to master the skills needed to write high-quality papers. With a little patience and perseverance, you’ll be able to produce well-formatted, well-researched papers that meet the highest academic standards.

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How-To Geek

Google docs features to help you ace your college papers.

Learning about these features might turn a C paper into an A+.

Quick Links

Research with the explore feature, use the built-in dictionary, add citations and a bibliography, include footnotes, open the equation editor, take advantage of collaboration features.

Google Docs can be great for writing school essays and other projects. From citations to research to collaborating with classmates, take advantage of these helpful features for your college papers.

Related: Learn These Microsoft Word Features to Make College Easier

Just like the Researcher tool in Microsoft Word , the Explore tool in Google Docs helps you locate sources and get your research done. Select the Explore button on the bottom right of the Google Docs screen.

When the sidebar opens, enter a search term at the top. You'll see three tabs for your results. So, you can choose Web, Images, or Drive (your Google Drive) to find the item you need.

You can add a citation as a footnote or insert an image that includes a link to the source. Or, simply select a result to read up on the topic. It's easy to research your paper using Explore in Google Docs.

For correcting spelling , checking verb tense, or finding synonyms, check out the Google Docs Dictionary. You can look up any word and save yourself a trip to an online or physical dictionary.

Related: How to Check Your Spelling in Google Docs

Either select a word in your document and go to Tools > Dictionary or open the tool from the menu and enter your word into the Search box in the sidebar.

You'll see everything you need to use the word correctly, spell it right, or get another word that means the same thing.

For including your references in the text and in the form of a bibliography, Google Docs gives you the Citations feature. Go to Tools > Citations to open the Citations sidebar.

Select your writing style from APA, MLA, or Chicago in the drop-down box at the top. Then, click "Add Citation Source" to add the type and reference details for your source.

Save the citation and then insert an in-text reference easily. Hover your cursor over the source in the sidebar's list and pick "Cite."

Once you have a citation in the sidebar, you can insert a bibliography . Place your cursor where you want the list and head to the bottom of the sidebar. Choose "Insert Works Cited" or "Insert References" depending on the writing format you picked.

Google Docs automatically inserts and formats your bibliography so you can continue writing without worry.

Related: How to Automatically Insert a Bibliography in Google Docs

When you have additional details or notes you want to include but not directly in the main content, use a footnote.

Place your cursor next to the word or select the word in your text. Go to Insert > Footnote in the menu.

You'll see the footnote number where your cursor was placed, and the cursor then appears in the footnote area for you to add your text.

Add more footnotes the same way and they'll be numbered automatically per page.

If the paper you're composing is for a math class, you can use the built-in equation tool . This saves you time by providing the letters, symbols, and operators you need to enter an equation instead of hunting them down elsewhere.

Related: How to Use the Equation Editor in Google Docs

Select Insert > Equation from the menu and you'll see the Equation Editor bar at the top of your document.

Make sure your cursor is in the spot in your document where you want the equation. Then, use the drop-down boxes in the Equation Editor to select what you need for the equation. As you choose each equation element, you'll see it added to your document.

When you finish, use the X on the right side of the Equation Editor bar to close it.

If you're working on a group project with other classmates, Google Docs has the features you need to collaborate. Start by sharing the document with editing permissions and then use the following tools to work together.

Related: How to Share Documents on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Leave Comments

Select an item in your document such as a word, sentence, or image and then click the Comment icon on the top right or in the floating toolbar. Add your comment , use the @ (At) symbol to mention a specific person, and click "Comment."

Everyone with access to the document can see the comments. And as you take care of the notes or tasks, click the Resolve icon (checkmark) to keep track.

You can also use the emoji feature for quick reactions to parts of the document and the comment assignment feature to delegate tasks.

See the Version History

When several people are working on a document at the same time, it can be tough to recall who did what and when. You can select "See Version History" in the File > Version History menu to view all changes to the document.

You'll see a list of dates and names, and you can select a version to view it. This does not immediately change your current document; it's simply a way to see what's changed and by whom. If you do want to use a particular version, select the three dots to the right of it and pick "Restore this Version."

When you finish viewing the Version History, click the arrow on the top left and you'll return to the document.

Quickly Email Your Classmates

For a quick and easy way to get in touch with your classmates, you can email all collaborators for a document at once. Select File > Email from the menu and pick "Email Collaborators."

A message window opens with your collaborators already included and the name of the document as the subject line. Type your message and press "Send."

This gives you a terrific way to check in with your classmates on the project without creating a separate email in another app where you have to track down their email addresses.

For other collaboration tools, look at how to suggest an edit , or specifically, how to track changes in Google Docs .

With these Google Docs features, you can find what you need, cite your sources correctly, and work with your fellow students to create a paper that wows your professor.

Related: 7 Time-Saving Google Docs Features You Need to Know

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• Academic writing

Free, Downloadable Educational Templates for Students

Published on June 16, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 23, 2023.

We have designed several free templates to help you get started on a variety of academic topics. These range from formatting your thesis   or   dissertation to writing a table of contents or a list of abbreviations .

We also have templates for various citation styles , including APA (6 and 7), MLA , and Chicago .

The templates are loosely grouped by topic below.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

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Table of contents

Chicago and chicago turabian, structuring your document, applying to college, formatting your front matter, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about scribbr templates.

• General formatting: Word | Google Docs
• APA 6th: Word
• APA 7th: Word | Google Doc

Check for common mistakes

Use the best grammar checker available to check for common mistakes in your text.

Fix mistakes for free

• General formatting: Word | Google Doc
• Citations: Word
• Works Cited: Word | Google Doc
• Header: Word | Google Doc
• Title: Word | Google Doc
• Author-date style
• Notes and bibliography style
• Research proposal outline: Word
• Research schedule template: Word
• Literature review outline: Word | Google Doc
• Evaluating your sources for a literature review: Word | Google Doc
• Dissertation or thesis outline: Word | Google Doc

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing - try for free!

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

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• Scholarship essay tracker: Google Sheet
• Writing a résumé: Research program option | Professional program option
• College application tracker: Google Sheet
• Figure and table lists: Word
• List of abbreviations: Word | Google Doc
• Acknowledgments: Word | Google Doc
• Glossary: Word | Google Doc

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
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• False cause fallacy
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Yes! We’re happy for educators to use our content, and we’ve even adapted some of our articles into ready-made lecture slides and templates .

You are free to display, distribute, and adapt Scribbr materials in your classes or upload them in private learning environments like Blackboard. This applies to articles, videos, images, and any other content published on the Knowledge Base. Video transcripts and subtitles can be accessed on YouTube. Please credit Scribbr for creating any materials you use in your teaching.

You may not republish, adapt, or translate our materials for public distribution without permission. If you have ideas for adapting Scribbr content, email [email protected] .

The Scribbr Knowledge Base is a collection of free resources to help you succeed in academic research, writing, and citation. Every week, we publish helpful step-by-step guides, clear examples, simple templates, engaging videos, and more.

The Knowledge Base is for students at all levels. Whether you’re writing your first essay , working on your bachelor’s or master’s thesis , or getting to grips with your PhD dissertation , we’ve got you covered.

We’re always striving to improve the Knowledge Base. If you have an idea for a topic we should cover, or you notice a mistake in any of our articles, let us know by emailing [email protected] .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, July 23). Free, Downloadable Educational Templates for Students. Scribbr. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/free-educational-templates/

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Google docs

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Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and form application offered by Google. It allows users to make and redact paperss online while join forcesing in real-time with other users. Google Docs combines the characteristics of two services, Writely and Spreadsheets, which were merged into a individual merchandise on October 10, 2006. A 3rd merchandise for presentations, integrating engineering designed by Tonic Systems, was released on September 17, 2007.

Google Docs are Google ‘s “ package as a service ” version of an office suite. Documents, spreadsheets, signifiers and presentations can be created within the application itself, imported through the web interface, or sent via electronic mail. They can besides be saved to the user ‘s computing machine in a assortment of formats ( OpenOffice, HTML, PDF, RTF, Text, Word ) . By default, they are saved to the Google waiters. Open paperss are automatically saved to forestall informations loss, and a alteration history is automatically kept. Documents can be tagged and archived for organisational intents. The service is officially supported on recent versions of the Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and Chrome browsers running on Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, and Linux runing systems.

There is a bound on how much a user can hive away on their history, and files may merely be uploaded or downloaded one at a clip. Documents may non transcend 500k, embedded images must non transcend 2MB each, and spreadsheets are limited to 256 columns, 200,000 cells, and 99 sheets.A user can hold a sum of 5,000 paperss and presentations, 5,000 images, 1,000 spreadsheets, and 100 PDFs at one clip. There is no equation editor for paperss.

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Google Docs serves as a collaborative tool for redacting amongst users and non-users in existent clip. Documents can be shared, opened, and edited by multiple users at the same clip. In the instance of spreadsheets, users can be notified of alterations to any specified parts via electronic mail. The application supports the ISO standard OpenDocument format. It besides includes support for proprietary formats such as.doc and.xls. Recently, they besides added support for.docx and.xlsx. It is besides possible to upload and portion PDF files.

Google Docs is amongst many cloud calculating document-sharing services. The bulk of document-sharing services require user fees, whereas Google Docs is free to Gmail users and non-users. Its popularity amongst concerns is turning due to heighten sharing characteristics and handiness.

Mobile Google Docs allows nomadic phone users to shop their Google Docs paperss in a nomadic browser. Users can see paperss and position and edit spreadsheets, but non presentations or position PDF files, but alternate web sites to Google can be used for this end. Versions of Google Docs for the iPhone and Android include functionality for redacting spreadsheets and sing presentations, along with an interface designed specifically for the device. On the other manus, one can non see or redact unfastened format database files.

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Your Google Docs are (probably) safe from AI training

• Google Docs that are publicly available have been used to train Google's AI .
• But just what is a "publicly available" Google Doc? 
• Don't worry. Google says it won't be scraping your docs if they're set to "anyone with the link."

I use Google Docs like a chaos gremlin: constantly and with a nihilistic approach to organization and labeling. I'd guess that 75% of my Google Drive is items called "Untitled." I start new text documents all the time — whenever I want to take notes during a phone call, start drafting an article, jot down half a thought, or just copy down some text or a link I want to save to look at later.

The result is a ton of half-written docs, sometimes completely blank or with just a few words — probably never to be reopened and most of which I never share. But a lot of work-related documents, I do end up sharing — with editors or other colleagues. I generally have done so by adjusting the "share" settings to make it so that anyone with the link can open the doc.

That's why I was alarmed when it was revealed that Google had been using "publicly available" Google Docs to train its artificial intelligence. Did this include my stuff?

Related stories

Google Docs sharing has two main options: You can add either individual people's email addresses so that only those people can open the doc, or you can set it so that anyone with the link can open it. (There's a third option for the enterprise edition, where you can share it with anyone inside your company.)

Did using the option to share with anyone who has the link mean that it was "publicly available"? Yikes?! Help!!!

Thankfully, that's not the case. A representative for Google confirmed to Business Insider that simply changing the share settings to "anyone with the link" did not mean that a document was "public" and would be used for AI training.

To be "publicly available," that document would need to be posted on a website or shared on social media. Basically, some kind of web crawler would need to be able to find it. That can't happen with a file just emailed back and forth between two people — like if you send your friend a link over Gmail, for instance, Google said.

For example, a Google Doc posted online like this .

Phew. So, for now, unless you're tweeting out links to your spreadsheets, your Google Docs were probably not used for any AI training or considered otherwise to be "publicly available."

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

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A collection of guides and examples for the Gemini API.

google-gemini/cookbook

Folders and files, repository files navigation, welcome to the gemini api cookbook.

This is a collection of guides and examples for the Gemini API, including quickstart tutorials for writing prompts and using different features of the API, and examples of things you can build.

Get started with the Gemini API

The Gemini API gives you access to Gemini models created by Google DeepMind . Gemini models are built from the ground up to be multimodal, so you can reason seamlessly across text, images, code, and audio. You can use these to develop a range of applications .

Start developing

• Go to Google AI Studio .
• Login with your Google account.
• Create an API key.
• Use a quickstart for Python, or call the REST API using curl .

Capabilities

Learn about the capabilities of the Gemini API by checking out the quickstarts for safety , embeddings , function calling , audio , and more.

Official SDKs

The Gemini API is a REST API. You can call the API using a command line tool like curl , or by using one of our official SDKs:

• Dart (Flutter)

Open an issue on GitHub.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome. See contributing to learn more.

Thank you for developing with the Gemini API! We’re excited to see what you create.

Contributors 11

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