MLA format is a system for formatting research papers in order to meet the requirements of many universities. It’s fairly easy to learn, but it can be tedious if you are writing an entire paper from scratch. This article will teach you how
MLA format is a formatting style used in academic writing. MLA format is the most common style for citing sources, so it’s important to know how to do MLA on Google Docs.
Google Docs is the word processor of choice for millions of people all around the world. On a Microsoft Word or Google Docs document, we may produce a variety of documents. A research paper is an example of this sort of document. Writing a research paper is difficult, but having the MLA style on Google Docs for a research paper may be much more difficult.
The Modern Language Association created the MLA format, which is a typical research paper format. It is one of the most common academic writing styles, particularly employed by students and scholars in the Arts and Humanities. Users may construct the MLA format in Google Docs using a Google template or manually to have complete control over the document’s formatting style. Because you’ll need to add page numbers in MLA format, you may look out how to do so in Google Docs.
What is the MLA citation style?
While each teacher may have their own set of MLA style guidelines, no one can overlook the fundamentals.
- Font and size: 12-point Times New Roman is a typeface that was created in the
- Text should be double-spaced with no additional spaces between paragraphs.
- Page margins: All four sides of the paper have one-inch margins.
- Every page has a header with your last name and a page number in the upper right corner.
- In the top-left corner of the first page, write your complete name, the instructor’s name, the course name, and the due date.
- The essay is double spaced throughout.
- Above the body text, in the center, is the title.
- A 1/2 inch indent is used to start body paragraphs.
- At the conclusion of the work, there is a Works Cited list, also known as a reference list with source type or bibliography.
On Google Docs in Google Drive, there are two methods to produce an MLA format. Let’s take a closer look at the fast guide.
On Google Docs, How Do I Set Up MLA Format?
Because of its space constraints and indentation choice, the MLA style makes papers simpler to read. From an in-text reference source to author information, a document produced in MLA style will offer the reader with every small detail. Let’s look at how we can utilize the MLA format in Google Docs –
Using a ready-made template, create an MLA format
This is the less difficult of the two methods. All you need to know is where to obtain the MLA style template and how to include it into your Google Docs research paper.
To begin, use the Google Chrome browser to access Google Docs.
Then, in the upper right corner of the Google Docs home page, pick Template Gallery. 
Then, from the list of possible templates, choose the Report MLA format.
You may also do this if you already have a blank Google Docs file and wish to add a template. Choose the From template option from the Google Docs menu by going to the File menu, clicking New, then selecting it from the Google Docs menu. 
You’ll be sent to the Templates collection, where you may choose your format. Your Google Doc MLA format template will be ready to use after you complete these steps.
Manually Creating the MLA Format
Follow these instructions to construct an MLA format on Google Docs manually if you’ve been wondering how to do so.
1. Change the font and size of the font
The typeface and font size are the first things that change when you start a new document. Set the font size to 12, which is the norm for MLA format. The typeface should be Times New Roman. Change it on the Google Docs document’s toolbar, as seen below.
2. Decide on the document’s margins.
Then, in Google Docs, add a suitable margin on all four sides for your MLA style. One-inch margins are the typical measurement. Left, right, top, and bottom margins are all one inch. You don’t need to make any adjustments here since this is the default margin size for all documents in Google Docs.
If you want to check the margin sizes at the bottom, top, right, or left, go to the File menu and choose Page Setup from the dropdown menu.
You may verify the header margins as well as the margins on all four sides in the dialog box that displays.
The inch mark margin has already been specified. Don’t forget to click OK to preserve any changes you make.
3. Make a header in MLA format.
The next step is to use Google Docs to construct an MLA format header. To begin, choose ‘Headers and footers’ from the drop-down list of choices on the Insert menu in the menu bar. Then, from the nested menu, choose Header.
When you place the header, you’ll see that the default font and font size are different. Change the font size to 12 and the typeface to Times New Roman.
If users desire, they may also delete the header in Google Docs at any time. It is not suggested, however, to remove headers in an MLA style in Google Docs.
The flashing cursor must now be aligned in the document header. To do so, double-click the Enter key on your keyboard. Then, from the toolbar, choose the Right Align icon to align the material according to MLA guidelines.
Every page has a header with the author’s last name and a page number in the upper right corner. Press the Space bar twice on your keyboard to enter your last name.
Select – Page number from the Input drop-down option to insert MLA style page numbers. Then, from the nested menu, choose the ‘Top of the page’ option. 
To quit altering the header, click anywhere outside of it. A header, footer, and page number are now included in the MLA format in Google Docs.
4. Fill in the Line Spacing
Another significant feature of an MLA style paper is line spacing. Line spacing must be adjusted to double spaced.
Select ‘Line and paragraph spacing’ from the “line spacing” drop-down option from the Format menu. Then, from the nested menu, choose Double.
If you wish to skip this step, go to the toolbar’s ‘Line and paragraph spacing’ option and choose Double from the drop-down selection. 
The primary idea behind this step is to use the spacing button or the Format menu in Google Docs to convert the default 1.15 spacing to Double spacing.
5. Fill in the information on the first page
The Google Docs MLA format page formatting is complete. Now you must submit the specifics of your research paper in accordance with MLA guidelines.
These four information must be included in the first four lines —
- Names, both first and last,
- Name of the instructor,
- the title of the course, and
- The deadline has passed.
After you’ve entered these facts, type your paper’s course title. All Common and Proper nouns should have their initial letter capitalized. In the paper title, make sure you don’t utilize the Bold, Italic, or Underline selections. In addition, the title should not be totally written in capital letters. The use of a full-stop or a period in the title block is forbidden.
You must also use the central align button to place the title in the document’s center.
If your cursor isn’t positioned on the left side in the MLA format in Google Docs, press the Enter key after typing the title and select the Align left button.
To create an indent, use the Tab key, and then begin entering the main text. The Tab key may be used to create a 12 inch indent to a paragraph. Every paragraph in the manuscript must have this indent.
6. Using Google Docs To Set Up MLA Works Cited
The bibliography of your research paper is what a work citation is. It contains all of the sources you utilized for your research paper. Only when you include a bibliography and citation information in an MLA-formatted work does it become complete.
On Google Docs, the Works Cited section, commonly known as bibliography, appears at the conclusion of the MLA style. When it comes to citation styles, it is positioned in the middle. To construct your research paper in Google Docs MLA style, there are various options for citing your sources.
To list down the citation sources, you may use the chosen citation format listed below:
Author’s surname (last, first). “Title.” Date of Publication (day, month, year). URL. Date of access.
To get the format properly, you must include the title in quote marks. A dangling indent is also required for all citation entries. It indicates that each line after the first is indented as if it were a paragraph. You may also look at how to accomplish a hanging indent in Google Docs by utilizing the indentation settings.
If you don’t want to spend time manually entering perfect citations, you may use a citation tool to get the task done for you.
Is it possible to create MLA format on a mobile device?
Unfortunately, the MLA format is not compatible for mobile devices. On the Google Docs mobile app, we can only modify the font and font size; there are no choices for changing the document margins or line spacing.
Last Thoughts
If you are new to the field of research paper writing, MLA style formatting may not be the most straightforward work. With a pre-formatted template and precise heading styles, Google Docs can assist you guarantee your work is faultless. If you don’t care about having complete control over your document’s layout, you may use a Google Docs MLA format template.
On the other hand, if you want to design an MLA Google Docs template that meets your demands, you’ll need to know Google Docs through and out. When developing a template from scratch, there are several adjustments to consider, ranging from the first-page title information to the citations tool. You do, however, have the option of removing any elements from the document that you do not need. It’s also worth noting that the MLA format isn’t available in Google Sheets.
The “mla format google docs 2020” is a quick guide on how to do MLA format on Google Docs. This article will show you the steps that you need to take in order to use MLA formatting correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you do MLA format on Google Docs?
A: To create a MLA format document, you would go to the Home menu and choose Format, then click on Manage. Then in the drop-down box that appears, find MLA Formatting. From there it should be relatively easy for you to put your work into MLA formatting.
What is the easiest way to MLA format?
A: For MLA format, make sure you place one space between the header and your text; two spaces between each sentence; there are no breaks in dialogue.
How do you put a document in MLA format?
A: The first step is to place your information in the correct order. To put a document into MLA format, you will need the following elements: 1) authors last name and year of publication 2) title or heading of article 3) date(s).
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