An APA appendix contains supplementary material that supports your paper but would interrupt the flow of the main text — survey instruments, raw data tables, lengthy statistical output, stimuli, or detailed procedures. Each appendix starts on its own page and is labeled with a capital letter: Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on.
APA Appendix Format Rules
| Element | Format |
|---|---|
| Label | «Appendix A» — centered, bold, at the top of the page |
| Title | Descriptive title below the label — centered, bold |
| Multiple appendices | Each on its own page; labeled A, B, C… |
| Single appendix | Label is simply «Appendix» (no letter) |
| Position in document | After the reference list |
| Page numbering | Continues from the reference list |
| Line spacing | Double (consistent with rest of paper) |
Source: APA Publication Manual, 7th Edition, Section 2.14.
How to Label an Appendix
The label and title appear at the top of the appendix page:
Appendix A
Survey Instrument Used in Study 1
If you have only one appendix, label it simply «Appendix» — no letter. If you have two or more, use letters in the order the appendices are first mentioned in the text.
How to Reference an Appendix in the Text
Every appendix must be mentioned at least once in the body of the paper. Reference it by letter:
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Parenthetical reference | The full survey is reproduced in Appendix A. |
| Mid-sentence reference | As shown in Appendix B, the raw scores varied widely across groups. |
| Single appendix | See the Appendix for the complete coding scheme. |
What Belongs in an Appendix
| Appropriate appendix content | Does NOT belong in an appendix |
|---|---|
| Survey questionnaires or interview guides | Results you should discuss in the body |
| Full statistical output tables | Sources — these go in the reference list |
| Detailed experimental stimuli | Background information that belongs in the introduction |
| Technical formulas or derivations | Anything a general reader needs to understand your argument |
| Transcripts or participant responses | Core data that should be in the results section |
| Large figures or images referenced in the text | Figures or tables central to your argument |
Tables and Figures Within an Appendix
Tables and figures inside an appendix use the appendix letter in their labels rather than sequential numbers from the main text:
| Location | Label format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main text | Table 1, Table 2 / Figure 1, Figure 2 | Table 3 |
| Appendix A | Table A1, Table A2 / Figure A1 | Table A1 |
| Appendix B | Table B1, Figure B1 | Figure B2 |
Common Appendix Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Appendix before the reference list | References always come first; appendices follow |
| Not mentioning the appendix in the text | Every appendix must have at least one in-text reference |
| Using numbers instead of letters (Appendix 1, 2) | APA uses capital letters: Appendix A, B, C |
| Multiple appendices on the same page | Each appendix starts on a new page |
| Tables numbered sequentially with main text (Table 5 in Appendix) | Restart numbering with the appendix letter: Table A1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an appendix have its own reference list?
No. All sources cited within an appendix must appear in the main reference list. Do not create a separate reference list within the appendix.
Does the appendix need a page number?
Yes. Page numbers continue sequentially through the appendix, just as they do throughout the rest of the paper.
What if my appendix is a form or document created by someone else?
Include it with a note about its source and cite it in the reference list. If it is copyrighted, you may need written permission from the copyright holder before reproducing it in a published work.
For complete APA paper structure including tables, figures, and reference list format, see the APA Format Guide.