Google Docs APA Format: How to Set Up an APA 7 Paper

Here's the catch. APA 7 doesn't fix a single font. It asks for one that's legible to all readers and used consistently. And student papers only carry the page number in the header, while professional papers add a shortened title in capitals.

APA 7 elements mapped to Docs menus

APA 7 element (Purdue OWL)	Where to find it in Google Docs, as of October 2026
1 inch margins, 8.5 by 11 inch paper	File, Page setup, Pages: Paper size and Margins
Double spacing throughout, title page included	Format, Line and paragraph spacing, Double
Page number flush right on every page	Insert, Page elements, Page number
Professional paper: title in capitals, flush left in the header	Insert, Page elements, Header, then Format, Text, Capitalization, UPPERCASE
Bold, centred title in the upper half of the title page	Bold, then Align, Centered
Abstract on a new page	Insert, Break, Page break
Abstract label bold and centred	Bold, then Align, Centered

Picking an APA 7 font

The APA manual doesn't name one required font, but it does suggest some widely available ones. If you're unsure, check with your instructor, publisher or institution.

Sans serif	Serif
11-point Calibri	12-point Times New Roman
11-point Arial	11-point Georgia
10-point Lucida Sans Unicode	10-point Computer Modern

To set it once, select some text in your chosen font, open Format, then Paragraph styles, then Normal text, and click Update Normal text to match. For every new document, go to Format, Paragraph styles, Options, Save as my default styles. You can also search the font list with Alt + slash, or Option + slash on a Mac.

Student vs professional title page

Title page item	Student paper	Professional paper
Title, author name, institutional affiliation	Yes	Yes
Course number and name, instructor, due date	Yes	No
Author note	No	Yes, in the bottom half
Header	Page number only, flush right	Title in capitals flush left, page number flush right

Type the title in upper and lowercase letters, bold and centred in the upper half of the page, on one or two lines. APA wants it focused and succinct, with no abbreviations or words that serve no purpose. Below it, type the author's first name, middle initials and last name, without titles like Dr. or degrees like PhD, then the institutional affiliation, meaning where the research was carried out.

A professional author note runs to four paragraphs, leaving out any that don't apply: the author's name with their ORCID iD, any change in affiliation, disclosures and acknowledgements, and contact details for the corresponding author.

Setting up the running head

1. Click Insert, then Page elements, then Page number, and choose the top right position.
2. For a professional paper, click Insert, then Page elements, then Header.
3. Type a shortened version of your title, no more than 50 characters including spaces and punctuation.
4. Select it and use Format, then Text, then Capitalization, then UPPERCASE.

Don't tick Different first page here. APA puts the header on the title page too. Headers and page numbers don't work in pageless format, so switch to pages format if the menu's missing.

Writing the abstract page

1. Put your cursor at the end of the title page and click Insert, then Break, then Page break.
2. On the first line, type Abstract, then bold and centre it. No italics, underlining or quotation marks.
3. On the next line, start your summary without indenting it.
4. Keep it to a single double-spaced paragraph, typically no more than 250 words.

The abstract should cover at least your research topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis and conclusions. To add keywords, indent as if starting a new paragraph, type Keywords: in italics and list them, which helps researchers find your work in databases. Abstracts aren't usually required for student papers unless your instructor asks, so check before you write one.

A handy Docs shortcut: select the Abstract heading and choose Format, then Line and paragraph spacing, then Add page break before, and it'll stay at the top of a new page.

References and the citations tool

Google Docs' citations tool supports APA, 7th edition. Click Tools, then Citations, select APA, add each source with Add citation source, and click Cite to drop an in-text citation where your cursor is. When you're done, click Insert bibliography. The elements the tool generates appear in English whatever your Docs language, and you can translate them after inserting. My guide to adding citations in Google Docs covers editing sources, and here's how to cite a YouTube video if you're using one.

If one section needs different margins, click File, then Page setup, and choose which sections to change at the top. For the rest of the margin options, here's my walkthrough on changing margins in Google Docs.

My verdict on APA format in Google Docs

I'd set the font, double spacing and margins first, save them as your default styles, then build the title page and header before writing a word. Check whether you're writing a student or professional paper, because it changes the header and title page. Skip the abstract on a student paper unless your instructor asks for it.

Frequently asked questions

What font does APA 7 require?

APA 7 doesn't require one font. It asks for a legible font used consistently and suggests options such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial and 12-point Times New Roman.

Does the APA title page have a page number?

Yes. Page numbers appear at the top of the title page too, flush right, and a professional paper also has the title in capitals flush left.

How long can an APA running head be?

The running head is a shortened version of your title and can't exceed 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.

How do I start the abstract on a new page in Google Docs?

Click Insert, then Break, then Page break, or select the heading and use Format, Line and paragraph spacing, Add page break before.

Do student APA papers need an abstract?

Not usually. Abstracts aren't typically required for student papers unless your instructor advises it.