How to Format an Essay in Google Docs (APA, MLA, Chicago)

TL;DR

• Set your margins. 1 inch on all sides (File > Page setup).
• Pick a standard font. Times New Roman, 12pt is the gold standard.
• Double space everything. (Format > Line & paragraph spacing).
• Use "Header" for page numbers. Don't just type them at the top of the page.
• Indent paragraphs. Hit the "Tab" key, don't use five spaces.
• Use Gradily for citations. Getting the formatting right is easier when you have an AI assistant to double-check your work.

You’ve spent all night writing a brilliant 2,000-word essay. Your arguments are flawless, your evidence is airtight, and you’re ready to submit. But wait—did you check the formatting?

It sounds petty, but many professors will dock a full letter grade if your margins are wrong or your citations aren't in the right style. Google Docs is a powerful tool, but it doesn't always "auto-magically" format your essay correctly.

Whether you're struggling with the dreaded APA running head or you can't remember if MLA needs a title page, this guide will show you exactly how to set up your document.

1. General Setup (The Basics)

Before you worry about specific styles, do these three things for every academic paper:

1. Margins: Go to File > Page setup. Make sure all margins (Top, Bottom, Left, Right) are set to 1 inch.
2. Font: Use Times New Roman at 12 point size. It’s boring, but it’s what professors expect.
3. Spacing: Go to Format > Line & paragraph spacing and select Double. Also, click "Remove space after paragraph" to ensure you don't have weird extra gaps between your paragraphs.

2. How to Format for MLA (Modern Language Association)

MLA is the most common style for English, Arts, and Humanities. It does not usually require a title page.

The Heading

In the top-left corner of the first page (not in the header), type:

• Your Name
• Your Professor's Name
• The Course Name
• The Date (formatted like: 23 February 2026)

The Page Number

1. Go to Insert > Page numbers. Choose the option that puts the number in the top-right corner.
2. Click to the left of the number and type your Last Name followed by a space.
3. Ensure the font is also Times New Roman 12pt (Google Docs often defaults this to Arial).

The Title

Center your title on the line immediately after your heading. Don't bold it, underline it, or use all caps. Just standard title case.

3. How to Format for APA (American Psychological Association)

APA is common for Science, Psychology, and Education. It does require a title page (unless your teacher says otherwise).

The Title Page (7th Edition)

1. Center your mouse about 1/3 of the way down the page.
2. Title of the Paper (Bolded).
3. [Double Space]
4. Your Name.
5. Your Department and University.
6. Course Number and Name.
7. Instructor Name.
8. Due Date.

The Header

Go to Insert > Page numbers and choose the top-right corner. Unlike MLA, you do not put your name here. For student papers in the 7th edition, you just need the page number.

Headings

APA uses specific levels for headings. Level 1 (your main sections) should be Centered and Bolded. Level 2 (sub-sections) should be Left-aligned and Bolded.

4. How to Format for Chicago Style (CMS)

Chicago is often used for History. It is famous for using Footnotes.

Title Page

Chicago usually requires a separate title page. Center the title in all caps about halfway down the page. A few lines below that, put your name, and a few lines below that, put the course info and date.

Footnotes

This is the part that trips people up.

1. Place your cursor after the sentence where you want to cite a source.
2. Go to Insert > Footnote.
3. Google Docs will automatically place a small number in the text and a corresponding number at the bottom of the page where you can type your citation.

5. The "Works Cited" or "References" Page

Every style requires a list of sources at the very end. This should always start on a new page (Insert > Break > Page break).

• MLA: Title it "Works Cited" (centered).
• APA: Title it "References" (centered and bolded).
• Chicago: Title it "Bibliography" (centered).

The "Hanging Indent"

This is the #1 formatting mistake students make. Your citations should have the first line flush left and all following lines indented.

1. Highlight your citations.
2. Go to Format > Align & indent > Indentation options.
3. Under "Special indent," select Hanging and set it to 0.5 inches.

6. Pro-Tips for Google Docs Efficiency

• Use Styles: Instead of manually bolding and centering every heading, use the "Styles" dropdown (Normal text, Heading 1, etc.). This allows you to generate a Table of Contents later if needed.
• Check Your "Add-ons": There are several citation generators that plug directly into Google Docs, though they aren't always 100% accurate.
• Word Count: Need to hit a specific length? Press Ctrl+Shift+C (or Cmd+Shift+C on Mac) to see your word count. You can even check the box "Display word count while typing" to see a live ticker in the corner.

How Gradily Can Help

Even with a guide, formatting is tedious. Here’s how you can use Gradily to make it easier:

• Citation Checking: Not sure if that journal article needs a comma or a period? Paste the info into Gradily and ask, "Format this as an APA 7th edition citation."
• Outline to Heading: If you have an outline, ask Gradily, "How should these sections be formatted as Level 1 and Level 2 headings in APA?"
• Structure Review: If you're worried your essay flow is messy, use Gradily to check if your transition words are helping or hurting your structure.

Final Checklist Before You Submit

1. Is the font Times New Roman 12pt?
2. Are the margins 1 inch?
3. Is it double-spaced?
4. Are the page numbers in the top-right corner?
5. Did you use a hanging indent for your bibliography?

Formatting might feel like a waste of time, but it shows your professor that you are a serious student who pays attention to detail. It’s the "polish" that makes your hard work look professional.

Good luck with your submission! If you need more help with the actual writing part, check out our guide on how to start an essay.