Updated 26 December 2025
Citing PowerPoint presentations is a vital part of keeping your research looking good – it’s all about integrity and trustworthiness. Proper citations give credit where credit is due. They also make it easy for your readers to fact-check your sources and follow up on anything you mention. On the other hand, doing it badly can lead to people accusing you of stealing other people’s work and make your whole argument look shaky. By following the rules on proper citation, you’re showing that you respect what others have done and helping to keep the conversation going in your field. If you need a refresher on how to go about it, take a look at some examples of APA style formatting.
Citing a PowerPoint in APA can be a bit of a minefield if you’ve never had to reference a presentation before. But don’t worry, this is just a quick guide to get you started on the basics of APA citation, with some handy templates and examples to make things easier. A lot of the presentations you come across online through platforms like Prezi or PowerPoint are going to be based on real sources, which can be a great bonus for your paper. Still, if creating slides and correct references feels overwhelming, consider using a do my presentation for me service for professional help.
When citing a PowerPoint in APA style, it is important to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy.
To cite a PowerPoint in APA 7th edition, include the following details:
Let’s begin by exploring the general APA PowerPoint citation template and the specific rules for citing presentations, including how to properly cite a PowerPoint in APA style.
APA Powerpoint Template
Author, A. B. (Year of publication). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Publisher. URL
APA Example
Miles, R.I. (2016). The importance of trance music for motivation: An overview of technical characteristics [PowerPoint slides]. Prezi@RSU. https://www.url.edu/ca
In-text
(Miles, 2016, slide 4)
The best scenario is using a PowerPoint presentation your readers can access. So the page will require log in to one of the university’s LMS systems. In this case you should include the main URL where a person can log in instead of using the actual URL for the presentation.
When dealing with password-protected platforms or sites containing the PowerPoint file you wish to cite, the rules are:
APA Citation Template
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year, Month Date). Title in italics [PowerPoint slides]. Course, University’s Name. URL
Works Cited Page Citation
Gibbons, B (2022, September 17). Introduction to Marine Pollution [PowerPoint slides]. Faculty of Marine Biology, University of Miami. https://welcome.miami.edu/
In-text Citation
(Gibbons, 2022, slide 7)
If you have the luck to use the PowerPoint APA citation slides available for public access (Prezi or Slideshare) use the website name instead of the university name and the course/department.
APA Citation Template
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year, Month Date). Title in italics [PowerPoint slides]. Website Name. URL.
Works Cited Page Citation
Meril, M. (2013, August 26). Childhood Autism: Definition and Analysis. [PowerPoint Slides]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/merilmanuel/autism-ppt-25586447
In-text Citation
(Meril, 2013)
Note:* when you have to use other types of slides or lecture notes, it’s sufficient to replace the [PowerPoint slides] container with something like [Google Slides] or any other relevant description.*
Read also: Learn how to cite poems in MLA and APA styles
When you wish to add a quotation for a training program presented as a PowerPoint ppt, citing a PowerPoint APA style must be done this way:
To properly reference a PowerPoint presentation, ensure you include the author’s name, presentation date, title, and any additional identifying information.
APA Template
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year) Title in italics [PowerPoint slides]. Name of the training program. URL (if available).
Works Cited Page Citation
Horncastle, M. (2021). Boy Scouts Seattle Troop volunteer training program and anti-bullying initiatives. [PowerPoint slides] BSA Seattle Troop Training Program. www.bsa.org/url
In-text Citation
(Horncastle, 2021, slide 19)
Of course, if your PowerPoint presentation is made available at Slideshare or Prezi website and relates to the training sessions, follow this citation example:
APA Template
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year). Title of presentation in italics [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare. URL
Works Cited Page Citation
Green, J. (2015). Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/clevernickname/scoutmaster-specificmbu2015
In-text Citation
(Green, 2015, slide 5)
Citing a lecture in APA 7th edition is also easy as you follow the template and examples of in-text citation PowerPoint APA and the one for the References page. Remember to include “slides in square brackets” as part of the citation format.
APA Template
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year). Title in italics [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare. URL
Works Cited Page
Agarwal, N. (2011). Domestic Violence and Abuse Patterns [PowerPoint slides]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/neha0827/domestic-violence-9607941
In-text Citation
(Agarwal, 2011, slide 5)
Alternatively, it’s possible to use a slightly different citation pattern if you are dealing with a specific lecture program or a classroom lecture you have attended during your college or university studies. Here is an alternative way how to cite a PowerPoint in APA for this scenario:
Richards, N. (2022) Structure of transwave synthesis and frequency modulation methods [PowerPoint slides]. Oxford Education.
For your APA in-text citation:
(Richards, 2022, slide 7)
If the talk is about a classroom lecture, follow this example:
Jackson, T. (2009). The challenges of technology for children with learning challenges [PowerPoint slides]. Arizona State University. Classroom lecture.
For your APA in-text citation:
(Jackson, 2009, slide 34)
As practice shows, many students cite PowerPoint presentations taken from conferences. When citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA, it is crucial to include the title italicized powerpoint slides format. There are two approaches to how to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA, depending on the situation. See the examples below:
APA Template
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year). Title in italics [PowerPoint slides]. Conference, Location. Slideshare. URL
Works Cited Page
Skomra, A. (2015). Leadership Conference: Call to Community: Slimming Youth to Strengthen Lives. [PowerPoint slides]. Roberts Wesleyan College Conference, Rochester, New York. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/AlexanderGSkomra/leadership-conference-submission-47076287
In-text Citation
(Skomra, 2015, slide 2)
Some other examples for this case would be as follows:
Salisbury, A. (2023). AI Intelligence and Dangers of shifting teacher’s roles [PowerPoint slides]. Canada Education’s Board of Trustees, Alberta 2023.
In-text
(Salisbury, 2023, slide 63)
If you need to cite a PowerPoint presentation that your readers can’t access, you should treat it as personal communication. For example, if the presentation is only accessible through your university’s website, standard citation rules apply since your professor can access it. However, when submitting to an academic journal, use the personal communication format, as others won’t have access to the presentation. Remember to cite whoever presented the PowerPoint to ensure proper attribution. Personal communications are cited only in-text and do not appear in the References list.
Example: In a class lecture, Andersen stated that most students face emotional isolation during virtual studies (personal communication, September 13, 2022).
If you’re using a quote from a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, a good idea is to track down the original source rather than treating the slides as a secondary source to cite. The APA 7th Edition has it pretty clear – they advise against double-citing and want you to reference first-hand data. Many presentations are pretty good about listing out references, or if not, you can try reaching out to the author or your school’s library to see if they can find the originals for you. If you’re unsure how to format these citations, you might want to find a PowerPoint presentation writing service to do your homework and ensure your references are correctly formatted.
When you’re figuring out how to cite a presentation in MLA, the citation method you’ll use depends on a couple of things – what kind of presentation it is and how you managed to get your hands on it. If the slides are available online, your citation should look like a website citation. You’ll need to include the author’s name, the title of the presentation in quotation marks, the website in italics, the date the presentation was published, and the URL to access it. When you need to include an in-text citation, throw in the slide number so the reader knows exactly where to go to check out the reference.
MLA Format Template
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Presentation Title.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.
Works Cited Page Citation
Oncha, Kamil. “Dolphins.” Slideshare, 22 Aug. 2016, https://www.slideshare.net/kamiloncha/dolphins-65216877.
In-text Citation
(Oncha, slide 5)
When citing a PowerPoint presentation you viewed in person, the approach differs since you cannot provide an online link. You should include the course name, the date the presentation or lecture was given, the location, and the presentation’s title. Additionally, labeling it as a “PowerPoint presentation” is recommended for clarity. This format ensures that your audience understands the context and source of the material.
It is also helpful to provide reference examples specifically for citing information derived from PowerPoint slides or lecture notes.
MLA Format PowerPoint Citation Template
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Presentation Title.” Course Name, Day Month Year, Name, City. PowerPoint presentation.
Works Cited Page Citation
Stipe, Michael. “Living as a rock star in Athens, Georgia.” Musicology Studies, 19 Jun. 2011, Berlin Institute of Music and Arts, Berlin. PowerPoint presentation.
In-text citation
(Stipe, slide 14)
When citing a PowerPoint presentation provided by your professor during class, the citation format is slightly different. Begin with your professor’s author name, including their last name followed by their first name, then include the title of the lecture, the course name, the date of the lecture, the location, and label it as “Lecture.” This format ensures that the citation is clear and provides all necessary details for your readers to understand the context of the presentation.
MLA Format PowerPoint Citation Template
Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Lecture.” Title of Course, Date of lecture, Location. Lecture.
MLA Works Cited Page
Holmes, Nicholas. “Dealing With Workplace Bullying: Why Females Do Not Report The Harassment?” Social Sciences 201, 17 February 2022, Arizona State University. Lecture.
In-text citation
(Holmes)
If the PowerPoint presentation you need to cite is not a lecture, the citation should include the instructor’s name, the presentation title, the course name, the date the presentation occurred, the location or venue, and a label specifying the presentation type. This format ensures that your citation accurately reflects the context of the presentation and provides all necessary information for proper referencing.
When you need to reference a PowerPoint presentation, it is crucial to follow the appropriate citation style guidelines to ensure accuracy and completeness.
MLA Format PowerPoint Citation Template
Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Your PowerPoint Presentation.” Title of Course, Date of PowerPoint presentation, Location of presentation, or venue’s name. Type of PowerPoint presentation.
Works Cited Page
Fox, Megan. “The Passion and the Beauty in Hollywood.” Fashion Studies 34. 17 April 2020. New York Arts Institute. Prezi PowerPoint presentation.
In-text citation
(Fox)
When citing content such as an image or a quote reproduced in a PowerPoint presentation, it’s best to cite the original source of the material rather than using the slides as a secondary source. If the original source isn’t accessible, consider contacting the lecturer for more information. Alternatively, treat the content as a “source within a source.” Begin with the citation for the original source, followed by the details of the presentation, and mention the slide where the quoted content appears. Here’s an example of how to format this type of citation.
MLA Format Template
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Artwork Title. Presentation Name, taught by Presenter’s First Name Last Name, Day Month Year, University’s Name, City. Slide number.
Works Cited Page
Knight, Gabriel. Voodoo’s Dark Heritage. 1994. Introduction to New Orleans Black History, taught by Andrew Johnson, 29 Apr. 2022, Cape Town U, Cape Town, RSA. Slide 11.
In-text citation
(Knight, slide 11)
When using a PowerPoint presentation for serious research that includes external quotes and information, an MLA Works Cited page is essential. This page functions much like it would in a traditional paper, listing only the sources directly referenced in your presentation, as a complete bibliography is unnecessary. Citing within PowerPoint slides follows the same MLA guidelines as other mediums. Depending on the source type—whether books, interviews, or websites—follow the relevant MLA rules to ensure accurate citations. Reference examples can help guide you in properly citing information derived from PowerPoint slides or lecture notes. Utilizing professional services can help ensure both correct citations and visually appealing slides.
Works Cited
El Alaoui Ismaili, Zakaria, et al. “A Comparison of Frequency Synthesizers up to 25 GHz for 130 Nm CMOS Implementation.” 2019 17th IEEE International New Circuits and Systems Conference (NEWCAS), 2019, https://doi.org/10.1109/newcas44328.2019.8961242.
Manassewitsch, Vadim. Frequency Synthesizers: Theory and Design. Wiley, 2005.
Solida, Scot. “The 10 Greatest Synthesizers of All Time.” MusicRadar, MusicRadar, 24 May 2022, https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-10-greatest-synthesizers-of-all-time-the-machines-that-changed-music.
When citing a PowerPoint presentation, the approach differs between APA and MLA styles. Here’s a comparison of the two:
Adding apa style format examples can help clarify the necessary components for proper citation in APA style.
1. Author’s Name:
2. Date Format:
3. Title of the Presentation:
4. Presentation Type:
Examples:
Understanding these differences ensures that your citations are accurate and align with the required style guidelines.
How do you cite the professor’s PowerPoint in APA?
Start with the author, publication, year, presentation title, [PowerPoint slides] part, publisher, and URL (if available). The complete citation example for a professor called Collin Black would look this way:
Black, C. (2021). English Literature of the Medieval period. [PowerPoint slides]. SlideShare.http://www.slideshare.net/url.
How do I cite a source with no page numbers in APA style?
Do your best to indicate the location of the quoted part in your in-text citation in APA. Determining how to cite PowerPoint slides APA style, you may use the section’s subheadings, paragraph, section number, or anything to specify the location.
(King, 2022, Linking section, para. 4).
Do PowerPoint presentations need in-text citations in APA?
Yes, in-text citations are always necessary to keep your paper original and avoid plagiarism!
How do you cite a PowerPoint slide in APA 7th edition with no author?
You should use the organization’s name instead or the presentation’s title in a shortened form. If nothing can be determined, use the word “Title” instead of the author and then provide the rest of the information as required by the citation type.
