APA 7th Citation Guide

General Guidelines

eBooks and books follow the same guidelines: The only difference is that for ebooks, you would also include the DOI or URL where applicable. If the print book has a DOI provided, you include that also - even if you only used the print version.

Author element

• If the author/s is an editor: follow the author's names with (Ed.) for editor or (Eds.) for editors. E.g., Smith, K., & Rodriguez, L. (Eds.). 

Date element

• Use the copyright date for the publication date 
• Format: The year, i.e., YYYY

Title element

• Book title: Write the title of the journal article in italics and in sentence case, like how one would write a sentence. Begin subheadings with a capital letter. ​​​
• Edition and volume numbers: Disclose a particular numbered edition or volume in parentheses. Do not do this for any editions that aren't numbered, e.g., "Extended edition".  If the book is of a:
  • Later edition: Put the ordinal number in its contraction form followed by ed., e.g. (2nd ed.)
  • Volume: Put Vol. followed by the number, e.g. (Vol. 2). 
• Do not include the format, platform, or device in the reference, (e.g., Kindle): This was APA 6th guidance. For ebooks, the format, platform, or device (e.g. Kindle) is no longer included in the reference, and the publisher is included in the source element instead.

Source element

• Publisher: Use regular font emphasis and use title case as the default, e.g. Royal Society of Chemistry. Exception: If the publisher name is intentionally in a different case, for example, a few publishers are in upper case.
• Publisher naming convention:
  • Use the most concise version of the publisher name. You would typically find this on the book cover.
    • Leave out superfluous terms or designations of business structure, such as Inc., Co., Ltd., etc.
    • Do not abbreviate the publisher's name unless it is displayed as such on the work.
• DOIs: If there is a DOI for the book, include it, even if you only used the print version. 
• URLs: Only include the URL for the ebook if it is freely accessible, i.e., you do not need to log in to view it, unless it meets one of APA Style's exceptions.

The below chart is a general template to help you build references for ebooks. 

On the left-hand panel of this guide, navigate to your specific ebook type to see the format and examples for it.

Format

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Book title in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case. http://doi.org/xxxx

Examples

Carlson, J., & Englar-Carlson, M. (2017). Alderian psychotherapy. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000014-001

Citing In-Text: Example of one of the references

(Carlson & Englar-Carlson, 2017)  OR Carlson and Englar-Carlson (2017). 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific guidelines

• Treat it as if it is a print book, i.e. have no online retrieval information.

Format

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Book title in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case. 

Examples

Busch, F. N. (2018). Psychodynamic approaches to behavioral change. American Psychiatric Association.

Lowery, Z. (2015). Technology of the modern world. Rosen Publishing Group.

Citing In-Text

(Busch, 2018)  OR Busch (2018). 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

General guidelines

• Insert the link to the ebook on the webpage you found it on at the end.

Format

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Title of work. Publisher. http://xxxx

Examples

Cox, S. (2019). Enough already... start doing what works at work!. Wolters Kluwer. https://shop.lww.com/Enough-Already---Start-Doing-What-Works-at-Work-/p/9781975123567

Warner, J. T. (2020). The big stretch: 90 days to expand your dreams, crush your goals, and create your own success. McGraw-Hill Education. https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/big-stretch-90-days-expand-your-dreams-crush-your-goals-create-your-own-success-jackson-warner/9781260456806.html

Citing In-Text

(Cox, 2019) OR Cox (2019) 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific guidelines

• If the group author and the publisher are the same, omit the publisher. 

Format

eBook with DOI

Group Author. (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case - Only if Different from the Group Author. http://doi.org/xxxx

From academic research database with no doi

Group Author. (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case - Only if Different from the Group Author. 

From nondatabase URL

Group Author. (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case - Only if Different from the Group Author.  http://xxxx

Examples

eBook from academic research database with no doi

American Psychiatric Association. (2018). The American Psychiatric Association Guideline for the pharmacological treatment of patients with alcohol use disorder.

Kernberg, O. F., & American Psychiatric Association Publishing. (2018). Treatment of severe personality disorders: Resolution of aggression and recovery of eroticism. 

From nondatabase URL

United States Department of Agriculture - Food and Nutrition Service. (2014). Discover MyPlate: Vegetables. https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/discover-myplate-vegetables

Citing in-text: Example of one of the references

First citation: (United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service [USDA-FNS], 2014) OR United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS, 2014). 

Subsequent citations: (USDA-FNS, 2014) OR USDA-FNS (2014) 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific Guidelines

• For one editor: (Ed.)
• For more than one editor: (Eds.)

   

Format

eBook or print book with DOI

Author, A. A. (Ed.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case. http://doi.org/xxxx

From academic research database with no doi OR print book

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case.

From nondatabase URL

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case. http://xxxx

Examples

Books with DOI

Maykel, C. & Bray, M. A. (Eds.). (2019). Promoting mind-body health in schools: Interventions for mental health professionals.  American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000157-001

Whitacre, P. T., Kameyama, E., & Carrero-Martínez, F. (Eds.). (2019). Reducing impacts of food loss and waste: Proceedings of a workshop. National Academies Press (US). https://doi.org/10.17226/25396

Edited eBooks with no DOI from academic library database

Conway, T. D., McCarthy, D. M., & Schieber, V. Althaus-Reid, M. (Eds.). (2017). Redemption and restoration: A Catholic perspective on restorative justice. Liturgical Press.

Citing In-Text: Example of one of the references

(Conway et al., 2017) OR Conway et al. (2017) 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific Guidelines

• Look for the edition. These are some edition statements you may see:
  • 7th ed.
  • 1st paperback edition
  • Rev. ed.
  • 2nd ed., rev. and expanded
  • 1st American ed.
  • New ed.
  • Facsim. ed.
• Only cite subsequent editions:
  • The ordinal no. followed by ed., e.g. (2nd ed.)
  • Or (rev. ed.)

Format

Book with doi

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case (# ed.). Publisher in Title Case. http://doi.org/xxxx

From academic research database with no doi

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case  (# ed.). Publisher in Title Case.

From nondatabase URL

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case  (# ed.). Publisher in Title Case. http://xxxx

Examples

ebooks with doi

Harmon-Jones, E. (Ed.). (2019). Cognitive dissonance: Reexamining a pivotal theory in psychology (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association. http://doi.org/10.1037/0000135-001

From academic research database with no doi

Capriotti, T. (Ed.). (2018). Nursing care planning made incredibly easy! (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

From non-database URL

Rothaermel, F. T. (2020). Strategic management (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/strategic-management-rothaermel/M9781260261288.html

Citing In-Text: Example of one of the references

(Harmon-Jones, 2019) OR Harmon-Jones (2019) 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific Guidelines

• Write the editor(s) of the anthology in the author position of the reference.
• Put the publication date the anthology is published.

   

Format

eBook with DOI

Author, A. A. (Ed.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case. http://doi.org/xxxx

From academic research database with no DOI

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case.

From nondatabase URL

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case. Publisher in Title Case. http://xxxx

Examples

From academic research database with no doi

Abdou, A., & Dopp, J. (Eds.). (2018). Writing the body in motion: A critical anthology on Canadian sport literature. AU Press. 

From nondatabase URL

Rudwin, M. J. (Ed.). (1921). Devil stories: An anthology. Alfred A. Knopff. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/31754

Citing In-Text: Example of one of the references

(Abdou & Dopp, 2018) OR Abdou and Dopp (2018)

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific Guidelines

• Put the title of work in italics in sentence case in the book's language
• Follow this with the translated title in square brackets.

   

Format

eBook with DOI

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case [Translated title]. Publisher. http://doi.org/xxxx

eBook from academic research database with no doi

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case [Translated title]. Publisher.

eBook from nondatabase URL

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case [Translated title]. Publisher. http://xxxx

Examples

From academic research database with no doi

Speranza, R., & Lebreton, J-L. (2018). Manettes & pixels: Histoire du jeu vidéo et Retrogaming [Controllers & pixels: History of video games and retrogaming]. Vallée Heureuse.

Citing In-Text: Example of one of the references

(Speranza & Lebreton, 2018) OR Speranza and Lebreton (2018)

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific Guidelines

• Put the translated title only - not the original title.
• Put the original work publication date at the end. Find this info on the copyright page of the book.

Format

eBook with DOI

Original Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Translated title n sentence case (B. Translator, Trans.). Publisher. http://doi.org/xxxx (Original work published Year)

From academic research database with no doi

Original Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Translated title in sentence case (B. Translator, Trans.). Publisher (Original work published Year)

From nondatabase URL

Original Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of volume in sentence case (B. Translator, Trans.). Publisher. http://xxxx (Original work published Year)

Examples

From academic research database with no doi

Gaudencio R. S. (2019). The national economy. (M. Randall, Trans.). Wings Press. (Original work published 2017)

Alighieri, D, & Cary, H. F. (2019). Dante Alighieri - The divine comedy, translated by Henry Francis Clay : "The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis (H. F. Clay, Trans.). Portable Poetry. 

Citing In-Text

(Alighieri & Cary, 2019) OR Aligheri and Cary (2019)

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific Guidelines

• Do not include the series title it is part of a series of conceptually related titles. Treat it as an individual book.
• For books in a series that is a set of volumes, see Multivolume Works - one volume.

Format

eBook with DOI

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work. Publisher. http://doi.org/xxxx

From academic research database with no doi

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Title of work. Publisher.

From nondatabase URL

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Title of work. Publisher. http://xxxx

Examples

eBooks with doi

Ellis, A., & Ellis, D. J. (2019). (Eds.). Rational emotive behavior therapy (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000134-001

(This book is part of the Theories of Psychotherapy Series)

From nondatabase URL

Willis, L. M. (Ed.). (2019). Fluids & electrolytes made incredibly easy! (7th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://shop.lww.com/Fluids---Electrolytes-Made-Incredibly-Easy/p/9781975125066

(This book is part of the Incredibly Easy! series).

Citing In-Text: Example of one of the references

(Ellis & Ellis, 2019) OR Ellis and Ellis (2019)

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Specific Guidelines

• Only include the volume editors in the author element - not the series editors or editors-in-chief
• If the volume does not have its own title, provide the volume number in parentheses in regular font
• If the volume has its own title, provide the volume no. and the title after the main title, and italicize it.

Format

eBook with DOI

Author, A. A. (Ed.). (Year of publication). Title of work. Publisher. http://doi.org/xxxx

From academic research database with no doi

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work. Publisher.

From nondatabase URL

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year of publication). Title of work in sentence case (Vol. #). Publisher. http://xxxx

Examples

From academic research database with no DOI

Mahoney, J. F. (Ed.). (2018). The lives of music therapists: Profiles in creativity (Vol. 3).  Barcelona Publishers.

Pratt, M. (Ed.). (2016). Encyclopedia of dermatology (Vol. 2). Nova Science Publishers.

Citing In-Text: Example of one of the references

(Mahoney, 2018) OR Mahoney (2018)

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

For more details and examples on how to reference ebooks, including for types not covered here, consult the following section in the APA 7th Publication Manual:

Section 10.2 Books and Reference Works 20-31.

Augusta University provides free access to EndNote citation management tool students, faculty, and staff.

If you use EndNote to input your references, then choose the reference type underneath. If you export or import your citations, then check that EndNote automatically categorized them to the below reference type. Edit the reference type if it is incorrect.  

Reference Type: Electronic Book or Edited Book