How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA 7

Citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA 7 format is essential for academic and professional writing.

Whether referencing a lecture slide, an online presentation, or a personal presentation, following APA guidelines ensures proper attribution.

This guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to cite a PowerPoint in APA 7 style.

Steps to Cite a PowerPoint in APA 7

Step 1: Identify the Citation Type

• If the PowerPoint is online (e.g., Google Slides, LinkedIn, or a website), treat it as a publicly available document.
• If the PowerPoint is unpublished (e.g., classroom lecture slides), cite it as personal communication.

Step 2: Format for a Publicly Available PowerPoint

Use the following APA 7 citation format for a PowerPoint that is available online:

Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Source/Website. URL

Example:

Smith, J. (2023). Marketing strategies for startups [PowerPoint slides]. Harvard Business School. https://www.hbs.edu/marketing

Step 3: Format for an Unpublished PowerPoint (Classroom Lecture)

For PowerPoint slides that are not publicly accessible, cite them as personal communication:

Instructor's Name (personal communication, Date)

Example:

(Smith, personal communication, March 15, 2024)

Note: Personal communications do not appear in the reference list. They are cited only in-text.

Step 4: Format for PowerPoint on a Learning Platform (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard)

If the slides are shared on a course platform (not publicly available), follow this format:

Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Platform Name. URL (if accessible)

Example:

Smith, J. (2023). Digital marketing trends [PowerPoint slides]. Moodle. https://moodle.university.edu

Step 5: Insert the Citation in Your Paper

For in-text citations, use (Author, Year) format. Example: (Smith, 2023) for a public PowerPoint.

Example: (Smith, personal communication, 2024) for an unpublished lecture slide.

Conclusion

Citing a PowerPoint correctly in APA 7 depends on its accessibility. If publicly available, format it like an online document.

If unpublished, cite it as personal communication. Following these steps ensures academic integrity and proper referencing.

FAQs can come handy!

Do I need to include a PowerPoint citation in the reference list?

Only if it’s publicly available. Private lectures should be cited as personal communication (in-text only).

How do I cite PowerPoint slides with multiple authors?

List all authors in the same format: Smith, J., & Doe, A. (Year). Title...

Can I cite PowerPoint slides without an author?

If no author is listed, use the institution name as the author (e.g., Harvard Business School, 2023).