Order of pages in an APA 7 paper

Why page order matters

Page order helps readers find each part where they expect it. It does not mean every document must contain every possible part. First select the elements your paper actually needs, then place them in the correct sequence.

General order in APA Style

When all of these elements are present, arrange them as follows:

1. title page
2. abstract
3. main text
4. reference list
5. footnotes on a separate page
6. tables
7. figures
8. appendices

The title page is always page 1. The abstract, text, references, and each appendix begin on a new page when included.

Order of a short student paper

An essay or response paper usually needs a shorter sequence:

Title page → Main text → References

If the instructor requests an abstract, place it after the title page:

Title page → Abstract → Main text → References

Do not add blank pages for elements the assignment does not use.

Where the main parts begin

• Title page: opens the document and counts as page 1.
• Abstract: begins on a new page after the title page.
• Text: begins after the abstract or directly after the title page.
• References: begin on a new page after the text.
• Appendices: each begins on a new page after the other end matter.

The abstract and keywords guide shows how page 2 looks when the paper includes an abstract.

Tables, figures, and footnotes are not navigation lists

When the general APA order names tables and figures, it means the complete elements, including their number, title, body or image, and notes. It does not mean a list showing the page where each element appears.

Tables and figures may be embedded in the text after they are mentioned. They may also be collected at the end, with each one on a separate page after the references or footnotes page. Use one option consistently unless the instructor, institution, or journal requires another arrangement.

Footnotes may appear at the bottom of the page where they are mentioned. If collected on a separate page, that page follows the references and precedes tables and figures. Review where to place footnotes.

Example of elements collected at the end:

References
Footnotes
Table 1. Distribution of Participants
Table 2. Average Completed Assignments
Figure 1. Changes in Study Time
Appendix A. Tracking Form

In this example, each table, figure, and appendix represents a page containing the complete element. The sequence does not replace its callout in the paper's text.

Table of contents and lists of tables, figures, and appendices

A table of contents helps readers locate the main sections of a long paper. A list of tables, list of figures, or list of appendices serves a similar purpose but includes only those elements with their number, title, and page.

These labels are not alternative names for the complete elements:

• Table 2 identifies one table in the paper.
• List of tables collects the titles and pages of all tables.
• Figure 1 identifies one figure.
• List of figures shows where each figure appears.
• Appendix A contains supporting material within the paper.
• List of appendices helps readers locate several appendices.

APA Style does not generally require these navigation pages or set a number of elements that automatically makes them necessary. They are common in theses, dissertations, and long institutional reports when the school requires them or when many elements would otherwise be difficult to find. A separate list rarely helps when a paper contains only one table or figure.

Abbreviated example:

Table of contents
Introduction ......................................... 3
Method ............................................... 12
Results .............................................. 20
Discussion ........................................... 31

List of tables
Table 1. Participant Characteristics ................. 15
Table 2. Weekly Results ............................... 23

List of figures
Figure 1. Completed Assignments by Week ............... 25

List of appendices
Appendix A. Tracking Form ............................. 42
Appendix B. Participant Instructions .................. 46

Build these pages with heading styles and the automatic caption, cross-reference, and table functions in your word processor. The titles and page numbers will then update when the paper changes.

Their exact location depends on institutional guidelines. Many schools place them in the preliminary pages before the main text, but they should not be added to APA's general order as universal requirements.

Page breaks and numbering

Use a page break to start a new part. Do not press Enter repeatedly, because later edits can move the content.

Insert automatic page numbering from the title page and check that section breaks do not restart it. The general format guide explains the correct position.

Institutional elements

A table of contents; lists of tables, figures, or appendices; a dedication; and acknowledgments are not part of APA's general page order. If your institution requires these elements, use the order in its guidelines and preserve the APA sequence for the remaining parts.

Checklist

• The title page is page 1.
• You included only the elements required for the paper.
• The abstract, text, references, and each appendix begin in the proper place.
• You used page breaks instead of blank lines.
• Page numbering continues without restarting.
• Tables and figures follow one placement option consistently.
• Navigation lists are clearly distinguished from the complete elements they identify.