MLA Tools for Word

Summary: Over the years, different style guides—such as the MLA style guide—have been developed as benchmarks by which documents should be developed. Word users may be looking for ways that they can add MLA-related tools to the program. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

Gwen Stidham asked if changes had been made between Word 2000 and Word 2002 that removed MLA-related styles and formatting. (MLA is an acronym for Modern Language Association of America, a group that publishes a popular style guide used in many disciplines.) The short answer is no, there were no such changes made because Word 2000 never contained any MLA-specific tools. It is probable that if the older Word system had such tools it is because they were added through third-party add-ins, such as EndNote. (This is not a plug for EndNote, but recognition that products such as EndNote add formatting tools that can customize Word quite heavily.)

If you would like to add MLA tools to a version of Word, the best solution is to do a Web search for them. Search for pages that contain the phrase "Microsoft Word" and "MLA." You'll find both commercial and free solutions in the results. (Many colleges and universities have free MLA templates that you can download and use.)

Tip #103 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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