APA Appendix: A Guide to Formatting and Content

Understanding APA Appendices

An appendix is a section at the end of a paper that contains supplementary information relevant to the research but too lengthy or distracting to include in the main body.

When to Use an Appendix

Appendices can be used when:

• The material is crucial for understanding the research but would disrupt its flow.
• The information supplements what's already in the paper.

Appropriate Content for an Appendix

Appendices can include a variety of information, such as:

• Supporting research and articles
• Materials and instruments used in your research
• Questionnaires used in your research
• Raw data (presented in an organized, readable format)
• Research surveys
• Demographic details about participants or groups
• Examples of participant responses
• Extended or detailed descriptions
• Lengthy lists
• Large amounts of raw data
• Correspondence directly related to your research

Formatting Guidelines for APA Appendices

• You can have more than one appendix.
• Each item should be in its own appendix section.
• Each appendix begins on a separate page.
• Each appendix must have a title in title case:
  • If you only have one appendix, title it "Appendix".
  • If you have more than one appendix, label them "Appendix A", "Appendix B", and so on.
• Center the appendix label at the top of the page.
• Center the appendix title on the next line.
• If you reference a source in your appendix, include an in-text citation. Include the source in your main reference section.
• Appendices may contain headings, subheadings, figures, and tables.
• Each figure or table should include a brief but explanatory title, italicized.
• If you reference your appendix within the text, include a parenthetical note in the text.

Additional Formatting Considerations

• Use a consistent font, such as 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri.
• Double-space your text.
• Indent all paragraphs on the first line.
• Page numbering should be continuous with the rest of your paper.
• Bold the appendix label centered at the top of the page.
• Bold and center the descriptive title following the appendix label.
• Each page should include a page number in the top right corner.

Data Displays in Appendices

• Use a logical layout for any data displays such as tables or figures.
• Label all tables and figures with "Table" or "Figure" and the letter of the appendix. Number them consecutively.
• The data displays should be presented in the appendix following the same order that they first appear in the text of your paper.

Placement of Appendices

• The appendix should be the very last pages of your finished paper.
• A typical APA format paper is structured as follows:
  • Title page
  • Abstract
  • Main text
  • References
  • Footnotes
  • Tables
  • Figures
  • Appendix
• Your paper may not include all of these sections.
• At a minimum, however, your paper may consist of a title page, abstract, main text, and reference section.
• If your paper does not contain tables, figures, or footnotes, then the appendix would follow the references.
• Never include an appendix containing information not referred to in your text.