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How to Create an APA Style Appendix | Format & Examples

Published on October 16, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 9, 2022.

An appendix is a section at the end of an academic text where you include extra information that doesn’t fit into the main text. The plural of appendix is “appendices.”

In an APA Style paper, appendices are placed at the very end, after the reference list .

Table of contents

Do i need an appendix, appendix format example, organizing and labeling your appendices, frequently asked questions.

You don’t always need to include any appendices. An appendix should present information that supplements the reader’s understanding of your research but is not essential to the argument of your paper . Essential information is included in the main text.

For example, you might include some of the following in an appendix:

• Full transcripts of interviews you conducted (which you can quote from in the main text)
• Documents used in your research, such as questionnaires , instructions, tests, or scales
• Detailed statistical data (often presented in tables or figures )
• Detailed descriptions of equipment used

You should refer to each appendix at least once in the main text. If you don’t refer to any information from an appendix, it should not be included.

When you discuss information that can be found in an appendix, state this the first time you refer to it:

Note that, if you refer to the same interviews again, it’s not necessary to mention the appendix each time.

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The appendix label appears at the top of the page, bold and centered. On the next line, include a descriptive title, also bold and centered.

The text is presented in general APA format : left-aligned, double-spaced, and with page numbers in the top right corner. Start a new page for each new appendix.

The example image below shows how to format an APA Style appendix.

If you include just one appendix, it is simply called “Appendix” and referred to as such in-text:

When more than one appendix is included, they are labeled “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on.

Present and label your appendices in the order they are referred to in the main text.

Labeling tables and figures in appendices

An appendix may include (or consist entirely of) tables and/or figures . Present these according to the same formatting rules as in the main text.

Tables and figures included in appendices are labeled differently, however. Use the appendix’s letter in addition to a number. Tables and figures are still numbered separately and according to the order they’re referred to in the appendix.

For example, in Appendix A, your tables are Table A1, Table A2, etc; your figures are Figure A1, Figure A2, etc.

The numbering restarts with each appendix: For example, the first table in Appendix B is Table B1; the first figure in Appendix C is Figure C1; and so on. If you only have one appendix, use A1, A2, etc.

If you want to refer specifically to a table or figure from an appendix in the main text, use the table or figure’s label (e.g. “see Table A3”).

If an appendix consists entirely of a single table or figure, simply use the appendix label to refer to the table or figure. For example, if Appendix C is just a table, refer to the table as “Appendix C,” and don’t add an additional label or title for the table itself.

An appendix contains information that supplements the reader’s understanding of your research but is not essential to it. For example:

• Interview transcripts
• Questionnaires
• Detailed descriptions of equipment

Something is only worth including as an appendix if you refer to information from it at some point in the text (e.g. quoting from an interview transcript). If you don’t, it should probably be removed.

Appendices in an APA Style paper appear right at the end, after the reference list and after your tables and figures if you’ve also included these at the end.

When you include more than one appendix in an APA Style paper , they should be labeled “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on.

When you only include a single appendix, it is simply called “Appendix” and referred to as such in the main text.

Yes, if relevant you can and should include APA in-text citations in your appendices . Use author-date citations as you do in the main text.

Any sources cited in your appendices should appear in your reference list . Do not create a separate reference list for your appendices.

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Easy Guide on How to Write an Appendix in 2023

Understanding What Is an Appendix

Many students ask, 'What is an appendix in writing?'. Essentially, an appendix is a compilation of the references cited in an academic paper, prevalent in academic journals, which can be found in any academic publication, including books. Professors frequently require their students to include an appendix in their work.

Incorporating an appendix in your written piece can aid readers in comprehending the information presented. It is important to note that different professors may have varying guidelines on how to write an appendix. To learn more about how to write an appendix for a research paper according to APA, Chicago, and MLA styles, check out the following paragraphs prepared by our PRO nursing essay writing service !

Meanwhile, note that an appendix comprises all the information utilized in a paper, including references and statistics from several authors and sources (the number varies according to the type of academic paper). The purpose of the appendix is to prevent vague or irrelevant information and improve the reader's understanding of the paper.

The Purpose of an Appendix

To understand what an appendix tries to accomplish and how to write an appendix example, after all, we must first answer the key question, 'What is the purpose of an appendix?'. In short, an appendix is crucial for further explaining complex information that may be difficult to fully convey within the main text of an essay. It is intended to offer readers additional information about the topic addressed in the paper.

The material presented in an appendix has the potential to bolster the argument and sway the reader's opinion. Nonetheless, you should try to incorporate supporting material and examples toward the end of the paper to avoid disrupting the flow of the main text. Furthermore, the likelihood of including an appendix increases as a paper becomes more advanced. The use of an appendix is especially prevalent in the academic writing of a research document and journal-style scientific paper, in which extra information is usually needed to support a main point of view.

How to Structure an Appendix

While there are variations between formats, each one follows a basic structure. Thus, understanding the general structure is an essential first step in learning about this topic. No matter if you're tasked with 'how to write an appendix MLA or APA style?' - remember that both adhere to this structure, despite their differences:

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Every Appendix Should Contain:

• A clear title: The title of the appendix should be concise and descriptive, clearly indicating what information is contained within it. For example, 'Appendix A: Data Tables for Study Results or 'Appendix B: Images of Experimental Setup.'
• A list of contents: Including a table of contents in the appendix can be helpful for readers to navigate the information provided. For example:

Table of Contents:

A. Data Tables for Study Results

B. Images of Experimental Setup

C. Survey Questions and Responses

D. Sample Interview Transcripts

• Page numbers: The appendix should be a separate page, independently numbered from the main body of the paper, and specified uniformly (e.g., 'Appendix A,' 'Appendix B,' etc.). For example:

Page 1 of 5

• Relevant information: The appendix should contain all the relevant information supporting the main arguments of the document, including tables of data, raw statistical data, charts, or other documents. For example:

Figure 1: Experimental Results

[insert graph or chart here]

• Proper formatting: The appendix should be formatted in accordance with the specific requirements of the chosen citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). For example:

Appendix B: Survey Questions and Responses

[insert survey questions and responses here, formatted following APA style guidelines]

• Clear labeling: Each element should have a clear appendix label so readers can easily understand its relevance to the paper. For example:

Table 1: Demographic Characteristics of Survey Respondents

• Concise explanation: It is important to provide short detailed descriptions of each element in the Appendix so that readers can understand its importance. For example:

Appendix C: Sample Interview Transcripts

Transcripts of the three interviews with the study participants shall be included for reference. These interviews provide further insights into the experiences of participants and their views on the subject addressed in this document.

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General Appendix Format

To ensure proper formatting, it is important to understand the basics of how to structure an appendix. Although it may seem overwhelming, the basic format is relatively easy to comprehend and serves as a foundation for understanding the APA and MLA formats. Additionally, mastering the basic format can be helpful when writing an appendix for a book or dissertation.

• Heading “Appendix #” . Contains a number or letter, that could be 1 or A.
• Reference List.
• Index Table followed a list of appendices.
• Page Number.

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How to Write an Appendix in Different Styles

There are two distinct styles for creating an appendix, and it's important to familiarize yourself with both since a professor may request one or the other. Our expert writers have compiled guidelines and rules for both formats - the Appendix APA format and the Appendix MLA format. Although they share some similarities, they also have unique features and regulations that must be strictly followed.

Appendix APA

Many professors require students to write an appendix in a paper of this format. To master how to write an appendix APA format and get the structure correct, it's a good idea to follow these guidelines and rules:

The guidelines for Appendix APA:

• The appendix begins with the heading 'Appendix' followed by ABC.
• It should also be written on top of the appendix title.
• Every appendix follows the order of the stated information in the paper.
• Include the appendix after the reference list.
• Include page numbers for each appendix.
• Appendices are to have their own page, regardless of the size.
• Include Footnotes.

The general rules for Appendix APA are to be followed when writing. This is what professors look for when a paper is required when apprentices are to be written in this format. Learn the general rules to master how to write an appendix APA style and get you onto the right path to success. You may find it useful to memorize this information or keep a note of it.

Rules for APA:

• All appendices should include their own point.
• Include a title for each appendix.
• For multiple appendices, use ABC for tilting them.
• For reference within the body, include (see appendix a) after the text.
• The title should be centered.
• All appendices are to have their own page, regardless of the size.
• Paragraph One should be written without indents.
• The rest of the paragraphs should have the intended formatting.
• Include double spacing.

Whether you're tackling how to write an interview paper in APA appendix or any other type of academic work, the following example can serve as a valuable blueprint to guide you through the process.

Appendix Chicago Style

Writing an appendix Chicago style is rather similar to APA. Though, there are some minor differences. Take a look at these guidelines for this form of an appendix.

Guidelines for an Appendix Chicago Style

• More than one appendix is described as appendices.
• The font required for the appendix Chicago style is Times New Roman.
• The text size should be 12 points.
• The page numbers should be displayed on the top right of each page.
• The page numbers should also be labeled as 'Page 1,2,3'.
• Avoid including a page number on the front cover.
• The bibliography should be the final new page. It should not share a page with any other content.
• It is possible to include footnotes in the bibliography.

To better comprehend how to write an appendix in Chicago style, glance through the example below:

Appendix MLA Format

The guidelines and regulations for creating an appendix in MLA format are largely similar to those in APA format. However, there are some differences between the two, the most notable being that the MLA appendix is placed before the reference list.

The guidelines for MLA Format:

• The appendix is included before the list of references.

It may be useful to follow the example of an appendix to better understand how to write an appendix in MLA style. Doing so can increase the chances of getting a grasp of the MLA rules to fulfill the requirements of your professor on your academic paper.

Rules for MLA

• The title is to be centered.
• The list should be double-spaced.
• The first line should include each reference in the left margin. Every subsequent line is to be formatted so it's invented. This can be referred to as 'hanging indent' to make things easier.
• The reference list must be in alphabetical order. This can be done with the first letter of the title of the reference. Though, this is usually done if the writer is unknown. If the writer is known, you can also use the first letter of the surname.
• If you include the name of the known writer, use this order. SURNAME, FIRST NAME, YEAR.
• Italic fonts are required for the titles of complete writings, internet sites, books, and recordings.
• It is important not to use an italic font on reference titles that only refer to the part of a source. This includes poetry, short papers, tabloids, sections of a PDF, and scholarly entries.

Before we conclude, let's dive deeper into the world of appendix writing by exploring an example of how to write an appendix MLA style.

Let's wrap this up! It's safe to say that following the APA, Chicago, and MLA formats is crucial when crafting an appendix. As we've seen, starting with an APA appendix example can help ease you in mastering how to write an appendix of paper. Once you have a handle on the precise formats and guidelines, creating an appendix becomes a piece of cake. Also, memorizing the format can help you whip up accurate appendices for any type of paper, whether an essay or a dissertation. Trust us, mastering this topic is a must if you want to excel in knowing how to write an appendix in a report or any other academic work.

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An appendix contains supplementary material that is not an essential part of the text itself but which may be helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem or it is information that is too cumbersome to be included in the body of the paper. A separate appendix should be used for each distinct topic or set of data and always have a title descriptive of its contents.

Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Importance of...

Appendices are always supplementary to the research paper. As such, your study must be able to stand alone without the appendices, and the paper must contain all information including tables, diagrams, and results necessary to understand the research problem. The key point to remember when including an appendix or appendices is that the information is non-essential; if it were removed, the reader would still be able to  comprehend the significance, validity , and implications of your research.

It is appropriate to include appendices for the following reasons:

• Including this material in the body of the paper that would render it poorly structured or interrupt the narrative flow;
• Information is too lengthy and detailed to be easily summarized in the body of the paper;
• Inclusion of helpful, supporting, or useful material would otherwise distract the reader from the main content of the paper;
• Provides relevant information or data that is more easily understood or analyzed in a self-contained section of the paper;
• Can be used when there are constraints placed on the length of your paper; and,
• Provides a place to further demonstrate your understanding of the research problem by giving additional details about a new or innovative method, technical details, or design protocols.

Appendices. Academic Skills Office, University of New England; Chapter 12, "Use of Appendices." In Guide to Effective Grant Writing: How to Write a Successful NIH Grant . Otto O. Yang. (New York: Kluwer Academic, 2005), pp. 55-57; Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  General Points to Consider

When considering whether to include content in an appendix, keep in mind the following:

• It is usually good practice to include your raw data in an appendix, laying it out in a clear format so the reader can re-check your results. Another option if you have a large amount of raw data is to consider placing it online [e.g., on a Google drive] and note that this is the appendix to your research paper.
• Any tables and figures included in the appendix should be numbered as a separate sequence from the main paper . Remember that appendices contain non-essential information that, if removed, would not diminish a reader's ability to understand the research problem being investigated. This is why non-textual elements should not carry over the sequential numbering of non-textual elements in the body of your paper.
• If you have more than three appendices, consider listing them on a separate page in the table of contents . This will help the reader know what information is included in the appendices. Note that some works list appendices in the table of contents before the first chapter while other styles list the appendices after the conclusion but before your references. Consult with your professor to confirm if there is a preferred approach.
• The appendix can be a good place to put maps, photographs, diagrams, and other images , if you feel that it will help the reader to understand the content of your paper, while keeping in mind the study should be understood without them.
• An appendix should be streamlined and not loaded with a lot information . If you have a very long and complex appendix, it is a good idea to break it down into separate appendices, allowing the reader to find relevant information quickly as the information is covered in the body of the paper.

II.  Content

Never include an appendix that isn’t referred to in the text . All appendices should be summarized in your paper where it is relevant to the content. Appendices should also be arranged sequentially by the order they were first referenced in the text [i.e., Appendix 1 should not refer to text on page eight of your paper and Appendix 2 relate to text on page six].

There are very few rules regarding what type of material can be included in an appendix, but here are some common examples:

• Correspondence -- if your research included collaborations with others or outreach to others, then correspondence in the form of letters, memorandums, or copies of emails from those you interacted with could be included.
• Interview Transcripts -- in qualitative research, interviewing respondents is often used to gather information. The full transcript from an interview is important so the reader can read the entire dialog between researcher and respondent. The interview protocol [list of questions] should also be included.
• Non-textual elements -- as noted above, if there are a lot of non-textual items, such as, figures, tables, maps, charts, photographs, drawings, or graphs, think about highlighting examples in the text of the paper but include the remainder in an appendix.
• Questionnaires or surveys -- this is a common form of data gathering. Always include the survey instrument or questionnaires in an appendix so the reader understands not only the questions asked but the sequence in which they were asked. Include all variations of the instruments as well if different items were sent to different groups [e.g., those given to teachers and those given to administrators] .
• Raw statistical data – this can include any numerical data that is too lengthy to include in charts or tables in its entirety within the text. This is important because the entire source of data should be included even if you are referring to only certain parts of a chart or table in the text of your paper.
• Research instruments -- if you used a camera, or a recorder, or some other device to gather information and it is important for the reader to understand how, when, and/or where that device was used.
• Sample calculations – this can include quantitative research formulas or detailed descriptions of how calculations were used to determine relationships and significance.

NOTE:   Appendices should not be a dumping ground for information. Do not include vague or irrelevant information in an appendix; this additional information will not help the reader’s overall understanding and interpretation of your research and may only distract the reader from understanding the significance of your overall study.

ANOTHER NOTE :   Appendices are intended to provide supplementary information that you have gathered or created; it is not intended to replicate or provide a copy of the work of others. For example, if you need to contrast the techniques of analysis used by other authors with your own method of analysis, summarize that information, and cite to the original work. In this case, a citation to the original work is sufficient enough to lead the reader to where you got the information. You do not need to provide a copy of this in an appendix.

III.  Format

Here are some general guideline on how to format appendices . If needed, consult the writing style guide [e.g., APA, MLS, Chicago] your professor wants you to use for more detail:

• Appendices may precede or follow your list of references.
• Each appendix begins on a new page.
• The order they are presented is dictated by the order they are mentioned in the text of your research paper.
• The heading should be "Appendix," followed by a letter or number [e.g., "Appendix A" or "Appendix 1"], centered and written in bold type.
• If there is a table of contents, the appendices must be listed.
• The page number(s) of the appendix/appendices will continue on with the numbering from the last page of the text.

Appendices. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College;  Appendices. Academic Skills Office, University of New England; Appendices. Writing Center, Walden University; Chapter 12, "Use of Appendices." In Guide to Effective Grant Writing: How to Write a Successful NIH Grant . Otto O. Yang. (New York: Kluwer Academic, 2005), pp. 55-57 ; Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Lunsford, Andrea A. and Robert Connors. The St. Martin's Handbook . New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989; What To Know About The Purpose And Format Of A Research Paper Appendix. LoyolaCollegeCulion.com.

Writing Tip

Consider Putting Your Appendices Online

Appendices are useful because they provide the reader with information that supports your study without breaking up the narrative or distracting from the main purpose of your paper. If you have a lot of raw data or information that is difficult to present in textual form, consider uploading it to an online site. This prevents your paper from having a large and unwieldy set of appendices and it supports a growing movement within academe to make data more freely available for re-analysis. If you do create an online portal to your data, note it prominently in your paper with the correct URL and access procedures if it is a secured site.

Piwowar, Heather A., Roger S. Day, and Douglas B. Fridsma. “Sharing Detailed Research Data Is Associated with Increased Citation Rate.” PloS ONE (March 21, 2007); Wicherts, Jelte M., Marjan Bakker, and Dylan Molenaar. “Willingness to Share Research Data Is Related to the Strength of the Evidence and the Quality of Reporting of Statistical Results.” PLoS ONE (November 2, 2011).

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Organizing Academic Research Papers: Appendices

• Purpose of Guide
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
• Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
• Academic Writing Style
• Choosing a Title
• Making an Outline
• Paragraph Development
• Executive Summary
• Background Information
• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Content Alert Services
• Evaluating Sources
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Tertiary Sources
• What Is Scholarly vs. Popular?
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Footnotes or Endnotes?
• Further Readings
• Annotated Bibliography
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
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• Reviewing Collected Essays
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• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Acknowledgements

An appendix contains supplementary material that is not an essential part of the text itself but which may be helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem and/or is information which is too cumbersome to be included in the body of the paper. A separate appendix should be used for each distinct topic or set of data and always have a title descriptive of its contents .

Importance of...

Your research paper must be complete without the appendices, and it must contain all information including tables, diagrams, and results necessary to address the research problem. The key point to remember when you are writing an appendix is that the information is non-essential; if it were removed, the paper would still be understandable.

It is appropriate to include appendices...

• When the incorporation of material in the body of the work would make it poorly structured or it would be too long and detailed and
• To ensure inclusion of helpful, supporting, or essential material that would otherwise clutter or break up the narrative flow of the paper, or it would be distracting to the reader.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  General Points to Consider

When considering whether to include content in an appendix, keep in mind the following points:

• It is usually good practice to include your raw data in an appendix, laying it out in a clear format so the reader can re-check your results. Another option if you have a large amount of raw data is to consider placing it online and note this as the appendix to your research paper.
• Any tables and figures included in the appendix should be numbered as a separate sequence from the main paper . Remember that appendices contain non-essential information that, if removed, would not diminish a reader's understanding of the overall research problem being investigated. This is why non-textual elements should not carry over the sequential numbering of elements in the paper.
• If you have more than three appendices, consider listing them on a separate page at the beginning of your paper . This will help the reader know before reading the paper what information is included in the appendices [always list the appendix or appendices in a table of contents].
• The appendix can be a good place to put maps, photographs, diagrams, and other non-textual elements , if you feel that it will help the reader to understand the content of your paper, but remembering that the paper should be understandable without them.
• An appendix should be streamlined and not loaded with a lot information . If you have a very long and complex appendix, it is a good idea to break it down into separate appendices, allowing the reader to find relevant information quickly.

II.  Contents

Appendices may include some of the following, all of which should be referred to or summarized in the text of your paper:

• Supporting evidence [e.g. raw data]
• Contributory facts or specialized data [raw data appear in the appendix, but with summarized data appearing in the body of the text].
• Sample calculations
• Technical figures, graphs, tables, statistics
• Detailed description of research instruments
• Maps, charts, photographs, drawings
• Letters, emails, and other copies of correspondance
• Questionnaire/survey instruments, with the results appearing in the text
• Complete transcripts of interviews
• Complete field notes from observations
• Specification or data sheets

NOTE:   Do not include vague or irrelevant information in an appendix; this additional information will not help the reader’s overall understanding and interpretation of your research and may only succeed in distracting the reader from understanding your research study.

III.  Format

Here are some general guideline on how to format appendices, but consult the writing style guide [e.g., APA] your professor wants you to use for the class, if needed:

• Appendices may precede or follow your list of references.
• Each appendix begins on a new page.
• The order they are presented is dictated by the order they are mentioned in the text of your research paper.
• The heading should be "Appendix," followed by a letter or number [e.g., "Appendix A" or "Appendix 1"], centered and written in bold.
• Appendices must be listed in the table of contents [if used].
• The page number(s) of the appendix/appendices will continue on with the numbering from the last page of the text.

Appendices . The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College; Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Lunsford, Andrea A. and Robert Connors. The St. Martin's Handbook. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.

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APA 7th edition - Paper Format: Appendices

• Introduction
• Mechanics of Style
• Overall Paper
• Sample Papers
• Reference List
• Tables and Figures
• APA Citations This link opens in a new window
• Additional Resources
• Writing Skills This link opens in a new window
• APA Appendices - JIBC Tip Sheet All you need to know about appendices in APA Style.

Information in this section is as outlined in the APA Publication Manual (2020), sections 2.14, 2.17, 2.24, and 7.6.

Appendices are used to include information that supplement the paper’s content but are considered distracting or inappropriate for the overall topic. It is recommended to only include an appendix if it helps the reader comprehend the study or theoretical argument being made. It is best if the material included is brief and easily presented. The material can be text, tables, figures, or a combination of these three.

Placement :

Appendices should be placed on a separate page at the end of your paper after the references, footnotes, tables, and figure. The label and title should be centre aligned. The contents of the appendix and the note should be left-aligned.

• If you are choosing to include tables and figures in your appendix, then you can list each one on a separate page or you may include multiple tables/figures in one appendix, if there is no text and each table and/or figure has its own clear number and title within the appendix.
• Tables and figures in an appendix receive a number preceded by the letter of the appendix in which it appears, e.g. Table A1 is the first table in Appendix A or of a sole appendix that is not labeled with a letter.

The follow elements are required for appendices in APA Style:

Appendix Labels:

Each appendix that you place in your paper is labelled “Appendix.” If a paper has more than one appendix, then label each with a capital letter in the order the appendices are referred to in your paper (“Appendix A” is referred to first, “Appendix B” is referred to second, etc).

• The label of the appendix should be in bold font, centre-aligned, follow Title Casing, and is located at the top of the page.
• If your appendix only contains one table or figure (and no text), then the appendix label takes the place of the table/figure number, e.g. the table may be referred to as “Appendix B” rather than “Table B1.”

Appendix Titles:

Each appendix should have a title, that describes its contents. Titles should be brief, clear, and explanatory.

• The title of the appendix should be in bold font, centre-aligned, follow Title Casing, and is one double-spaced line down from the appendix label.
• If your appendix only contains one table or figure (and no text), then the appendix title takes the place of the table/figure title. 

Appendix Contents:

• Left aligned and indented; written the same as paragraphs within the body of the paper
• Double-spaced and with the same font as the rest of the paper
• If the appendix contains a table and/or figure, then the table/figure number must contain a letter to correlate the table and/or figure to the appendix and not the body of the paper, e.g. “Table A1” rather than “Table 1” to clarify that the table appears in the appendix and not in the body of the paper.
• All tables and figures in an appendix must be mentioned in the appendix and numbered in order of mention. 
• All tables and figures must be aligned to the left margin, (not center aligned), and positioned after a paragraph break, preferably the paragraph in which they are referred to, with a double-spaced blank line between the table and the text. 
• Each table and figure should include a note afterwards to further explain the supplement or clarify information in the table or figure to your paper/appendix and can be general, specific, and probability. See “Table Notes” in the section “Table and Figures” above for more details.

Referring to Appendices in the Text:

In your paper, refer to every appendix that you have inserted. Do not include an appendix in your work that you do not clearly explain in relation to the ideas in your paper.

• In general, only refer to the appendix by the label (“Appendix” or “Appendix A” etc.) and not the appendix title.

Reprinting or Adapting:

If you did not create the content in the appendix yourself, for instance if you found a figure on the internet, you must include a copyright attribution in a note below the figure. 

• A copyright attribution is used instead of an in-text citation. 
• Each work should also be listed in the reference list. 

Please see pages 390-391 in the Manual for example copyright attributions.

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Footnotes & Appendices 

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APA style offers writers footnotes and appendices as spaces where additional, relevant information might be shared within a document; this resource offers a quick overview of format and content concerns for these segments of a document. Should additional clarification be necessary, it is always recommended that writers reach out to the individual overseeing their work (i.e., instructor, editor, etc.). For your convenience, a student sample paper is included below; please note the document is filled with  Lorem Ipsum  placeholder text and references to footnotes and appendices are highighlighted. Additional marginal notes also further explain specific portions of the example. 

Footnotes 

Footnotes are supplementary details printed at the bottom of the page pertaining to a paper’s content or copyright information. This supporting text can be utilized in any type of APA paper to support the body paragraphs.

Content-Based Footnotes

Utilizing footnotes to provide supplementary detail can enrich the body text and reinforce the main argument of the paper. Footnotes may also direct readers to an alternate source for more detail on a topic. Though content footnotes can be useful in providing additional context, it is detrimental to include tangential or convoluted information. Footnotes should detail a focused subject; lengthier sections of text are better suited for the body paragraphs.

Acknowledging Copyright

When citing long quotations, images, tables, data, or commercially published questionnaires in-text, it is important to credit the copyright information in a footnote. Functioning much like an in-text citation, a footnote copyright attribution provides credit to the original source and must also be included in a reference list. A copyright citation is needed for both direct reprinting as well as adaptations of content, and these may require express permission from the copyright owner.

Formatting Footnotes

Each footnote and its corresponding in-text callout should be formatted in numerical order of appearance utilizing superscript. As demonstrated in the example below, the superscripted numerals should follow all punctuation with the exception of dashes and parentheses.

For example: 

Footnote callouts should not be placed in headings and do not require a space between the callout and superscripted number. When reintroducing a footnote that has previously been called out, refrain from replicating the callout or footnote itself; rather, format such reference as “see Footnote 4”, for example. Footnotes should be placed at the bottom of the page on which the corresponding callout is referenced. Alternatively, a footnotes page could be created to follow the reference page. When formatting footnotes in the latter manner, center and bold the label “Footnotes” then record each footnote as a double-spaced and indented paragraph. Place the corresponding superscripted number in front of each footnote and separate the numeral from the following text with a single space.

Formatting Copyright Information

To provide credit for images, tables, or figures pulled from an outside source, include the accreditation statement at the end of the note for the visual. Copyright acknowledgements for long quotations or questionnaires should simply be placed in a footnote at the bottom of the page.

When formatting a copyright accreditation, utilize the following format:

• Establish if the content was reprinted or adapted by using language such as “from” for directly copied material or “adapted from” for material that has been modified
• Include the content’s title, author, year of publication, and source
• Cite the copyright holder and year of copyright or indicate that the source is public domain or licensed under Creative Commons
• If express permission was required to reprint the material, include a statement indicating that permission was acquired

Appendices 

When introducing supplementary content that may not fit within the body of a paper, an appendix can be included to help readers better understand the material without distracting from the text itself. Primarily used to introduce research materials, specific details of a study, or participant demographics, appendices are generally concise and only incorporate relevant content. Much like with footnotes, appendices may require an acknowledgement of copyright and, if data is cited, an adherence to the privacy policies that protect participant identities.

Formatting Appendices

An appendix should be created on its own individual page labelled “Appendix” and followed by a title on the next line that describes the subject of the appendix. These headings should be centered and bolded at the top of the page and written in title case. If there are multiple appendices, each should be labelled with a capital letter and referenced in-text by its specific title (for example, “see Appendix B”). All appendices should follow references, footnotes, and any tables or figures included at the end of the document.

Text Appendices 

Appendices should be formatted in traditional paragraph style and may incorporate text, figures, tables, equations, or footnotes. In an appendix, all figures, tables, and other visuals should be labelled with the letter of the corresponding appendix followed by a number indicating the order in which each appears. For example, a table labelled “Table B1” would be the first table in Appendix B. If there is only one appendix in the document, the visuals should still be labelled with the letter A and a number to differentiate them from those contained in the paper itself (for example, “Figure A3” is the third figure in the singular appendix, which is not labelled with a letter in the heading). 

Table or Figure Appendices 

When an appendix solely contains a table or figure, the title of the figure or table should be substituted with the title of the appendix. For example, if Appendix B only includes a figure, the figure should be labelled “Appendix B” rather than “Figure B1”, as it would be named if there were multiple figures included.

If an appendix does not contain text but includes numerous figures or table, the appendix should be formatted like a text appendix. The appendix would receive a name and label, and each figure or table would be given a corresponding letter and number. For example, if Appendix C contains two tables and one figure, these visuals would be labelled “Table C1”, “Table C2”, and “Figure C1” respectively.

Sample Paper    

Media File: APA 7 - Student Sample Paper (Footnotes & Appendices)

How do I add an appendix to my paper?

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How to Write an APA Appendix

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Amanda Tust is a fact-checker, researcher, and writer with a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

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• When to Use an Appendix
• What to Include
• Basic Rules

If you are writing a psychology paper for a class or for publication, you may be required to include an appendix in APA format. An APA appendix is found at the end of a paper and contains information that supplements the text but that is too unwieldy or distracting to include in the main body of the paper. 

APA format is the official writing style used by the American Psychological Association . This format dictates how academic and professional papers should be structured and formatted. 

Does Your Paper Need an APA Appendix?

Some questions to ask about whether you should put information in the body of the paper or in an appendix:

• Is the material necessary for the reader to understand the research? If the answer is yes, it should be in your paper and not in an appendix.
• Would including the information interrupt the flow of the paper? If the answer is yes, then it should likely appear in the appendix.
• Would the information supplement what already appears in your paper? If yes, then it is a good candidate for including in an appendix.

Your appendix is not meant to become an information dump. While the information in your appendices is supplementary to your paper and research, it should still be useful and relevant. Only include what will help readers gain insight and understanding, not clutter or unnecessary confusion.

What to Include in an APA Appendix

The APA official stylebook suggests that the appendix should include information that would be distracting or inappropriate in the text of the paper.

Some examples of information you might include in an appendix include:

• Correspondence (if it pertains directly to your research)
• Demographic details about participants or groups
• Examples of participant responses
• Extended or detailed descriptions
• Lists that are too lengthy to include in the main text
• Large amounts of raw data
• Lists of supporting research and articles that are not directly referenced in-text
• Materials and instruments (if your research relied on special materials or instruments, you might want to include images and further information about how these items work or were used)
• Questionnaires that were used as part of your research
• Raw data (presented in an organized, readable format)
• Research surveys

While the content found in the appendix is too cumbersome to include in the main text of your paper, it should still be easily presented in print format.

The appendices should always act as a supplement to your paper. The body of your paper should be able to stand alone and fully describe your research or your arguments.

The body of your paper should not be dependent upon what is in the appendices. Instead, each appendix should act to supplement what is in the primary text, adding additional (but not essential) information that provides extra insight or information for the reader. 

Basic Rules for an APA Appendix

Here are some basic APA appendix rules to keep in mind when working on your paper:

• Your paper may have more than one appendix.
• Each item usually gets its own appendix section.
• Begin each appendix on a separate page.
• Each appendix must have a title.
• Use title case for your title and labels (the first letter of each word should be capitalized, while remaining letters should be lowercase).
• If your paper only has one appendix, simply title it Appendix. 
• If you have more than one appendix, each one should be labeled Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, and so on.
• Put the appendix label centered at the top of the page.
• On the next line under the appendix label, place the centered title of the appendix. 
• If you refer to a source in your appendix, include an in-text citation just as you would in the main body of your paper and then include the source in your main reference section.
• Each appendix may contain headings, subheadings, figures, and tables. 
• Each figure or table in your appendix should include a brief but explanatory title, which should be italicized. 
• If you want to reference your appendix within the text of your paper, include a parenthetical note in the text. For example, you would write (See Appendix A).

Formatting an APA Appendix

How do you format an appendix in APA? An APA appendix should follow the overall rules on how to format text. Such rules specify what font and font size you should use, the size of your margins, and the spacing of the text.

Some of the APA format guidelines you need to observe:

• Use a consistent font, such as 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri
• Double-space your text
• All paragraphs should be indented on the first line
• Page numbering should be continuous with the rest of your paper

The appendix label should appear centered and bolded at the top of the page. A descriptive title should follow and should also be bolded and centered. As with other pages in your paper, your APA format appendix should be left-aligned and double-spaced. Each page should include a page number in the top right corner. You can also have more than one appendix, but each one should begin on a new page.

Data Displays in an APA Appendix

When presenting information in an appendix, use a logical layout for any data displays such as tables or figures. All tables and figures should be labeled with the words “Table” or “Figure” (sans quotation marks) and the letter of the appendix and then numbered.

For example, Table A1 would be the first table in an Appendix A. Data displays should be presented in the appendix following the same order that they first appear in the text of your paper.

In addition to following basic APA formatting rules, you should also check to see if there are additional guidelines you need to follow. Individual instructors or publications may have their own specific requirements.

Where to Include an APA Appendix

If your paper does require an appendix, it should be the very last pages of your finished paper. An APA format paper is usually structured in the following way:

Your paper may not necessarily include all of these sections. At a minimum, however, your paper may consist of a title page, abstract, main text, and reference section. Also, if your paper does not contain tables, figures, or footnotes, then the appendix would follow the references.

Never include an appendix containing information that is not referred to in your text. 

A Word From Verywell

Writing a paper for class or publication requires a great deal of research, but you should pay special attention to your APA formatting. Each section of your paper, including the appendix section, needs to follow the rules and guidelines provided in the American Psychological Association’s stylebook.

American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2020.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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APA Citation Style 7th Edition

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What goes into an Appendix?

Where is an appendix placed, labeling the appendix, formatting the appendix.

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"Material that supplements the content of the paper, but would be distracting or inappropriate to include in the body of the paper is to be placed in an appendix." This includes "materials that are relatively brief and that are easily presented in print format" ( Publication Manual of the APA: 6th edition , section 2.13; Publication Manual of the APA: 7th edition , section 2.14). Examples include "mathematical proofs, lists of words, a questionnaire used in the research, a detailed description of an apparatus used in the research, etc" ( Purdue OWL .)

An appendix (or appendices) follow the reference list. Use the following order for your paper:

• Abstract ( if required, start on a new page, numbered page 2)
• Text (start on a new page, numbered 3)
• References (start on a new page)
• Tables (start each on a new page)
• Figures (start each on a new page; include caption on page with figure)
• Appendices (start each on a new page)
• If only one appendix, label it Appendix
• If more than one appendix: label each one with a capital letter (Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.) in the order in which it is mentioned in the text
• Each appendix must have a title
• In the text, refer to appendices by their labels:

"produced the same results for both studies (see Appendices A and B for complete proofs)."

• Begin each appendix on a separate page
• At the top of the page, center the word Appendix and the identifying capital letters (A, B, etc.) in the order in which they are mentioned in the text.
• Center the title of the appendix using uppercase and lowercase letter on the next line
• Begin the text of the appendix flush left, followed by indented paragraphs.

A sample appendix is below:

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How to Write an Appendix: Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

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While composing your work, you may stumble upon a question on how to write an appendix.

An appendix is a supplemental section of a research paper that provides additional information, data, or materials to support the main content. The appendix is usually placed at the end of the document and is numbered with letters or numbers, such as "Appendix A," "Appendix B," etc. The purpose of an appendix is to provide readers with supplementary details that are not included in the main text but are relevant to the topic.

Once you decide on writing appendices, you should collect additional information and format your text as required. Here, we will talk about how you can work with appendices. We will also show some nuances of their preparation process using a real example. Is the deadline around the corner? Consider using professional research paper help from expert scholars.

What Is an Appendix: Definition

Experienced researchers know what an appendix in a paper is. But aspiring authors often have problems with this section of the work. First of all, you should understand that appendices are an additional section of a dissertation or any other scientific paper that includes additional information. Main points are not placed in an appendix meanwhile at the end of your work it can expand on some context or clarify author’s position on a particular issue. Also, an appendix is ​​often placed after the citation page of a work. It is indicated with the help of references in a main text.

What Is the Purpose of an Appendix

Quite often, authors don’t understand the purpose of an appendix. This usually looks like a table and is not included in a main text. Remember that content of your dissertation should be concise and clear. It is also undesirable if you deviate from your theme so as not to confuse readers. Therefore, you can provide a reference, which will lead a reader to an appendix of a thesis. Typically, the purpose of an appendix is to extra information that is usually not included in the text's body. It expresses author's point of view, and provides additional information. It may not address the immediate topic of your dissertation or expand on current research. As a reminder, your work should be clear even without studying an appendix. So make sure you don't put important details there.

What Can You Include in an Appendix

An appendix in a paper is a supplement to a main text, not a replacement. You can put different elements there. It is better if you separate appendices, highlighting one element in each of them. Don’t forget about separate references in your text. Otherwise it will be difficult for a reader to understand your information better. Thus, the following information can be added:

• diagrams with illustrative figures;
• abbreviations ;
• interviews;
• statistics, and much more.

There are no restrictions on content added to your dissertation's appendices. Theoretically, you can attach absolutely any information that is relevant to your topic. Thus, possibilities for evidence base are almost unlimited. All you need to do is add tables or any other information.

How to Write an Appendix: Full Guide

If you already have experience working on dissertations and other scientific texts, you will not wonder how to make an appendix. However, it is still important that you get some advice on how to properly structure an appendices section. This will help add information that may be redundant in the main part of your paper. We offer 4 simple steps to create an informative and readable appendix block.

Step 1. Make an Appendix: Include Your Data

When creating an appendix, include extra data in their raw form. That is, you might not have used some details in your main paper. But you want a reader to know more information. For example, it can be calculations, some results of which are mentioned in your main text. Or maybe, you can add some statistics that clearly demonstrate your research paper conclusion . You can also include facts from other scientific sources that support your position. One thing is important — information should complement your text but not contradict it.

Step 2. Include Visual Supporting Documents in an Appendix 

When you are writing an appendix, you can’t avoid visual additions that clearly demonstrate an information and save an author from lengthy descriptions in the text. Should you need to support your conclusions drawn in the scientific text, these can be used:

Don’t forget: you should quote and indicate the authorship of graphics used in your work. If you took it from any third-party sources, of course. Thus, a reader will be able to find additional data that explains the content of your text. It is good if you personally put results of your research in a graphic form. To do this, you can use Office programs, graphic editors and other programs available to PC users.

Step 3. Describe the Instruments of Your Research in Your Appendices

It is good if your appendix in the research paper has a section for indicating tools that were used during the preparation of your dissertation writing . This way, your reader will understand how you collected information and do it themselves. For example, it could be a dictaphone or tape recorder on which an interview with your expert was recorded. Or you might have used a video camera for recording facts and interviews. In such case, it is advisable to indicate these instruments in your appendix. Specialized equipment for measuring, calculating and making graphics should also be added at the beginning of the appendix. This way, you will demonstrate your skills and knowledge. Research units don’t require extra tools, so make sure they are listed. You can do it even in a short format.

Step 4. Include an Interview and Transcripts in an Appendix

When conducting interviews and surveys for collecting information, make an appendix with photocopies of handwritten materials or electronic copies of digital surveys. Their order is not important. The main thing is that your research text contains references. This will allow you to quickly study the sources. You should not only show that the source contains important data but also explain it. So, even additional content, including questions and answers, needs to be listed. But if you originally had a readable format, you don’t need to do this. In addition to interviews, also add screenshots or photos of correspondences used for surveys. For example, you can refer to a significant researcher with whom you exchanged letters. Or maybe you studied subject, together with this researcher, and they gave some comments on a particular issue. Do not know how to write a discussion section of a research paper ? Do not worry, we have the whole article dedicated to this topic.

Formatting an Appendix: Main Rules

Formatting of appendices is required in any case. First of all, provide correct citations. APA, MLA, and Chicago are the most commonly used standards. Although, you should clarify what formatting requirements your institution has. Correct formatting includes:

• Appendix title. Write it at the top of the content page, indicate its title, using letters or numbers for ordering.
• Sorted by mention. Don’t add appendices randomly, it is better to do it in chronological order. That is, as information from it is given in main text.
• Location after bibliography. This is a general requirement that cannot always be met. For example, if your professor wants the appendices to be put before the bibliography, this will have to be done.
• Page numbers. All dissertation pages should be numbered, even if they are blank. This will make the appendix block the part of main text.

Also, review your appendix before approval. Make sure that its content is clear, error-free, and correctly quoted.

Appendix Example

To do the job successfully, it is recommended to have an example of an appendix at hand. Without it, there are usually problems with a choice of font and mentions that appear in main text. We will show you what the appendix itself looks like at the end of the dissertation using a short interview as an example.

We have one more blog in case you wonder what is an abstract in a paper  or need some examples and writing tips.

How to Make an Appendix: Final Thoughts

Thus, we talked about how to write an appendix. It allows you to include additional details, while avoiding writing them in the body of your text. To do this, one can use graphics, transcriptions of conversations, tables and statistics — anything that complements your research. Be sure to clarify formatting requirements of your university. Arrange appendices in an order in which they appear in your text. Try to use your own materials and not take other people's work. In case of unique findings, they can be used in your work.

Please contact us if you have any difficulties preparing an academic work! Our professional paper writers guarantee high quality and loyal prices. Just choose a writer to your liking, send your requirements and you're good to go!

Frequently Asked Questions About Appendix Writing

1. how do you add an appendix to an essay.

The inclusion of appendix to an essay is the same as to any other paper. You need to provide references in your text of an essay itself, as well as submit attachments after a bibliography. Don't forget to specify name of an appendix for easy navigation.

2. Do I add references to the appendix?

Yes, this is not only recommended but must be done. In this case the appendix will allow your reader to check the reliability of sources you used. Moreover, if you took any information from third-party sources, this protect you from plagiarism charges.

4. How do you create an appendix in Word?

It is not difficult to prepare an appendix in Word, because this Office program contains all the necessary tools. To get started, choose the same font, font size and indentation that were used in the main text, so as not to visually break away from it. We also recommend that you apply title formatting with built-in Word tools. Place the appendix titles at the top in the center of a page. In this case it will be much easier to navigate the paper.

3. What is an appendix in a report example?

You can include a wide range of information into an appendix in a report. It is better to opt for descriptive formats, though. For example, it can be graphical or mathematical research results, statistics of a certain phenomenon, and questionnaires filled in by other people.

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

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Use an Appendix or Annex in Your Research Paper?

'Appendix' and 'annex' are commonly confused in research papers. While the use of an appendix is more common, the annex can also be a valuable way of supplementing your research. The appendix and the annex add supporting/supplementary information. Both are posted online and can be referred to by researchers with a particular interest in your study. The differences between them are context and length.

Updated on July 26, 2022

The terms “appendix” and “annex” are commonly confused in research papers. While the use of an appendix is more common, the annex can also be a valuable way of supplementing your research.

Both the appendix and the annex add supporting/supplementary information (SI), like tables and graphs, datasets, or transcriptions. Both are posted online and can be referred to by researchers with a particular interest in your study (especially if they're open access).

The main differences between these two forms of data supplement are context and length. Appendixes are common and are part of the study; you likely used them in theses and dissertations. Annexes deal with much longer and more detailed sets of information, and they're additional to the study's content. Let's take a deeper look at the differences so you'll never them confused.

What is an appendix?

An appendix is, according to Merriem-Webster, “supplementary material usually attached at the end of a piece of writing.” The word comes from the Latin appendere, which means “cause to hang (from something).” It's included in the paper at the end, usually after the references or bibliography.

Appendixes/Appendices can be seen as materials that supplement rather than complement the research. Read only by those with a specific interest.

Basics of an appendix

The following are generally true of an appendix.

• Included at the end of the manuscript.
• Written by one more of the paper's researchers. Exceptions are items like letters granting ethical clearance for the research or details of the research tools used (see the example later).
• Ties into the research directly; gives greater detail than the main body of the manuscript.
• Not too long. Of course, that's subjective, but generally speaking, it's a page or two rather than dozens of pages, or more.

What to put in an appendix

Some examples of an appendix are:

• Figures and tables
• Photographs
• Raw data (tables, plots, images)
• Questionnaires and interview questions (especially in qualitative research)
• Ethics approvals such as from the IRB
• Correspondences, such as letters or emails

Most research published as a journal article, and particularly as a thesis, will contain appendices rather than annexes.

This paper (PDF link) includes an appendix that details the instruments used in the research. Each test was used in the study, and the author felt the details were important enough to detail in the appendix, too much information to be presented in the main paper.

This chemistry article also presents supplementary data in the appendix. As it's too lengthy to put in print, a downloadable Word file is available. However, it's only data rather than an article or other full and standalone materials, which is likely why it was made into an appendix rather than an annex.

What is an annex?

Merriam-Webster defines an annex as “an added stipulation or statement.” In the context of research, both academic and commercial, annexes are usually separate additions to the research output and are submitted as separate documents.

Annex comes from the French annexer, which means “to join or attach.” Simply put, an annex comes along with (joining or attached to) a research paper. An example might be a UN report relevant to a manuscript, and that will be added as a supporting document, backing up the research findings. Annexes are used for materials that complement the research.

Basics of an annex

• Attached to the research paper as a separate item.
• Often (but not always) produced by someone outside the research team. If, for example, one of the researchers produced a white paper for the government on the research domain and this might complement the research, this could be an annex.
• Can be many pages long.
• Supports or informs the research that has been done; complements it.
• Is not part of the research output presented in the manuscript's body text.

What to put in an annex

Some examples of an annex are...

• Documents mentioned in the manuscript or that may support the manuscript
• News articles
• Lab reports
• Interviews of people mentioned in the manuscript.
• Data from other studies

Almost always, annexes are added to papers that exceed normal journal article lengths. They're supporting materials to lengthy research output, like those often funded by corporate or government funding.

This World Health Organization guidance paper on HIV/AIDS is itself 21 pages long but comes with separate downloadable annexes. The paper details the findings stemming from the research and describes the processes for the trials. On page 5, the paper notes that the annexes are included to give greater details on the clinical trials mentioned in the paper. In this sense, the annexes are for readers who want greater detail.

The paper reviews the trials done in the annex, but because the trials were not part of the research and was done by others, it was added as an annex.

Should you use an appendix or an annex?

Short answer: you should probably use an appendix. That's because they're much more common. Appendices are placed at the end of a document, while annexes are, technically, separate from it. The former is part of the paper, but the latter is not.

Annexes are often long documents, running even to hundreds of pages. Most often, someone an annex's author is someone who's not part of the research team. Appendices, however, are often by a paper's author(s) and are usually not more than a few pages each (though, in the case of datasets, they technically can be quite long).

Annexes are used to verify the research and provide additional, relevant information. They are documents from credible and relevant sources. They offer further insight into the research topic.

Normally, you'll be using appendices, and that's often because of the journal's word count limits. It may be ideal to include tables or charts in-line in the article, but if there's no room, the appendix can provide extra space.

Handling data: A workflow for dealing with data in your SI

Submission and sharing of data are especially key steps in dealing with your SI in appendixes, annexes, and other formats. When you're submitting your article to a journal, there is a common workflow for this:

• Create additional supplementary files (usually as few as possible, a single file is ideal).
• Upload to the journal site or one of the many ‘approved' online data repositories.
• You'll be given a URL to link back to your data files.
• Add this link to the Acknowledgements section of your paper with some text such as “Additional files in support of this article can be found at https://...”

Some commonly used and ostensibly approved online data repositories:

• Harvard Dataverse
• Open Science Framework (OSF)
• Mendeley Data

But don't get carried away!

Supplementary information, including appendixes and annexes, can also be abused. Additional information may be so long/big/dense that it actually may not undergo full peer review even though the rest of the article does.

A study by Pop and Salzberg asserted that journals' word restrictions may cause authors to move key information outside the main manuscript body. In this way, it can avert proper peer review while also being less accessible to the reader. This hinders further investigation because readers have to wade through huge amounts of supplementary documents to find what they're after.

It also robs authors cited in the supplementary information of the recognition they would receive from citations in the body text.

Nature commendably lays out specifics for SI – check them here .

Final thoughts

If you're unsure of what needs to be in your supplementary information, or if you even need an appendix or annex, as well as the English quality and style, a scientific edit can be a big help. Explore AJE's extensive editing services here .

The AJE Team

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How to Write an Appendix

Last Updated: October 4, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA . Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 16 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,655,294 times.

Like the appendix in a human body, an appendix contains information that is supplementary and not strictly necessary to the main body of the writing. An appendix may include a reference section for the reader, a summary of the raw data or extra details on the method behind the work. You may be required to write an appendix for school or you may decide to write an appendix for a personal project you are working on. You should start by collecting content for the appendix and by formatting the appendix properly. You should then polish the appendix so it is accessible, useful, and engaging for your reader.

Collecting Content for the Appendix

• Raw data may include sample calculations that you refer to in the body of the paper as well as specialized data that expands on data or information you discuss in the paper. Raw statistical data can also be included in the appendix.
• You may also include contributory facts from other sources that will help to support your findings in the paper. Make sure you properly cite any information you are pulling from other sources.

• You may include graphs or charts you have created yourself or graphs or charts from another source. Make sure you properly cite any visuals that are not your own in the appendix.

• For example, you may note in the appendix: “All interviews and surveys were conducted in person in a private setting and were recorded with a tape recorder.”

• You should also include any correspondences you had with subjects in your research, such as copies of emails, letters, or notes written to or from your research subjects.

Formatting the Appendix

• If you have more than one appendix, order them by letter or number and be consistent about the ordering. For example, if you are using letters, make sure the appendices are titled “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc. If you are using numbers, make sure the appendices are titled “Appendix 1,” “Appendix 2,” etc.
• If you have more than one appendix, make sure each appendix begins on a new page. This will ensure the reader is not confused as to where one appendix ends and another begins.

• For example, if raw data is mentioned in the first line of your paper, place that raw data first in your appendix. Or if you mention interview questions at the very end of your paper, make sure the interview questions appear as the last point in your appendix.

• You should also make sure you list the appendix in your table of contents for the paper, if you have one. You can list it based on title, for example, “Appendix”, or “Appendix A” if you have more than one appendix.

• For example, if the text ends on page 17, continue numbering from page 17 when you put in the page numbers for the appendix.

Polishing the Appendix

• You may find it helpful to have someone else read through the appendix, such as a peer or a mentor. Ask them if they feel all the included information is relevant to the paper and remove any information they deem unnecessary.

• Read through the appendix backwards so you can make sure there are no spelling errors. You want the appendix to appear as professional as possible.

• For example, you may note an appendix in the text with: “My research produced the same results in both cases (see Appendix for raw data)” or “I feel my research was conclusive (see Appendix A for interview notes).”

Sample Appendices

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• ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/appendices
• ↑ http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/appendices
• ↑ https://askus.library.wwu.edu/faq/116707

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To write an appendix, start by writing “Appendix” at the top of the document, using the same font you used for your chapter headings. Then, order the contents, such as graphs, surveys, or interview transcripts, based on the order in which they appear in your paper. Next, number the pages so they follow sequentially, coming after your paper and your reference list or list of sources. Finally, make sure to check for spelling and grammar errors, so everything will look polished and professional. For more tips from our English co-author, including how to refer to the appendix in your paper, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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What is an appendix in a paper?

When writing a research paper, an appendix is a useful tool to include additional information that is not essential to the body of the paper but supports your argument. The appendix can include graphs, charts, statistics, and other data that back up your points. It can also include images or diagrams that illustrate your argument.

When deciding what to include in your appendix, ask yourself these questions:

• Is this information essential to understanding the main argument of my paper?
• Would this information be helpful to someone who is trying to learn more about the topic?
• Is this information relevant to the paper as a whole?
• Is this information appropriate for the audience?

If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then you can be confident that the information belongs in your appendix.

Parts of a research paper

How to write a meta analysis research paper, data analysis section of a research paper, discussion section of a research paper, how to write preface for project report, content analysis.

Let us start by defining an appendix or appendices in a research paper, term paper, or thesis paper.

An appendix is a collection of supplementary materials, usually appearing at the end of a report, research paper, journal article, book, or another document . Appendices typically include data and information that are too detailed to be included in the main text but may be helpful for readers who want more details.

Materials in an appendix usually fall into one of two categories:

• Supplemental data: Supplemental data includes charts, graphs, and other visual aids that help illustrate the main points of the report.
• Supporting materials: Supporting materials includes transcripts of interviews, copies of surveys or questionnaires, and other documents that help support the argument presented in the main text.

When writing an appendix, it is important to keep the following in mind:

• The materials in an appendix should be relevant to the main text and should help readers understand the argument being presented.
• Appendices should be titled and numbered consecutively (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.).
• The text of an appendix should be typed in double-spaced format.
• Appendices should be formatted similarly to the main text (e.g., font, margins, etc.).

Appendices can be an important part of a document, but they should not be used to pad out the main text. Be sure to only include materials that are relevant to the argument being presented and that will help readers understand the main points of the report.

What Is the Purpose of an Appendix?

You might be wondering – What is the purpose of an appendix in a research paper?

The purpose of an appendix in a research paper is to communicate information that isn’t central to the body or discussion of the paper.

For example, financial data and technical notes are normally included as part of an appendix in a research paper. Appendices are also sometimes used to house various tables and figures such as maps/graphs/charts that might otherwise clutter up the main body of the paper.

While an appendix isn’t required for every research paper, it’s a good idea to include one if you feel like your paper would benefit from it. If you’re unsure about whether or not an appendix is needed, ask your instructor or consult with a writing tutor for guidance.

How to Structure an Appendix

The structure of an Appendix depends on what sort of material is being included, but in general, most Appendices will be organised into sections. Sections and subsections can be used to break up the Appendix so that it is easier for the reader to find the information they need.

If you are including primary research data in your Appendix, it is important to organise this data in a way that is easy to follow. Tables and figures can be used to present the data, and each table or figure should be accompanied by a title and caption.

If you are including extracts from documents or other material in your Appendix, it might be helpful to organise these extracts into chronological order, or by topic.

Finally, if you are including a large amount of material in your Appendix, it might be helpful to create an index so that the reader can quickly find the information they need.

An Appendix can be a helpful way to provide additional information for the reader, but it is important to remember to keep the Appendix concise and organised.

General Appendix Format

The following general format can be used for an Appendix:

Appendix A: Title of Appendix

Section 1: Title of first section

• Subsection 1.1: Title of first subsection
• Subsection 1.2: Title of second subsection

Section 2: Title of second section

• Subsection 2.1: Title of first subsection
• Subsection 2.2: Title of second subsection

Section 3: Title of third section

• Subsection 3.1: Title of first subsection
• Subsection 3.2: Title of second subsection

Appendix A: Primary Research Data

Section 1: Survey Data

• Subsection 1.1: Participant Demographics
• Subsection 1.2: Survey Results

Section 2: Interview Data

• Subsection 2.1: Transcripts
• Subsection 2.2: Analysis of Interviews

Section 3: Focus Group Data

• Subsection 3.1: Transcripts
• Subsection 3.2: Analysis of Focus Groups

Appendix B: Extracts from Documents

Section 1: Newspaper Articles

• Subsection 1.1: “The Benefits of Exercise”
• Subsection 1.2: “The Dangers of a Sedentary Lifestyle”

Section 2: Reports

• Subsection 2.1: “The Impact of Exercise on Health”
• Subsection 2.2: “The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Disease”

These are some research paper appendix examples.

How to Add an Appendix to a Word Document

Here is a video on how to add an appendix to a word document:

How to Write an Appendix in Different Styles

There are two major academic styles of writing, MLA and APA. These styles are different in many ways, but one difference is the way they format Appendices.

An Appendix in MLA style generally includes information that is useful to the reader but does not fit neatly into the main body of the paper. This might include raw data, charts or graphs that have been generated from data, or detailed descriptions of experimental procedures.

An Appendix in APA style generally includes information that is not essential to the main body of the paper, but which may be helpful for the reader. This might include raw data, charts or graphs that have been generated from data, detailed descriptions of experimental procedures, or copies of questionnaire items.

When writing in MLA style, the Appendix should be titled “Appendix” and placed at the end of the paper, before the Works Cited list.

When writing in APA style, the Appendix should be titled “Appendix” and placed after the References list.

It is important to note that MLA and APA style are only two of the many academic writing styles. If you are unsure which style to use, ask your professor or advisor.

When writing an Appendix, it is important to follow the specific guidelines for the style of writing you are using.

Appendix APA

In APA, appendices are used to provide supplementary information that is too detailed or voluminous to include in the main body of your paper. They are numbered consecutively (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.), and are listed at the end of your document.

These are the guidelines for writing an Appendix in APA format:

• The Appendix should be designated with a capital letter (e.g., “Appendix A”).
• Appendices are usually presented at the end of the main text, after the references.
• Each Appendix should begin on a new page.
• Label each Appendix with a title and number (e.g., “Appendix A: Descriptive Statistics”).
• Include a brief description of the content of each Appendix.
• All appendices should be referred to in the main body of your paper. For example, “For more information, see Appendix A.”
• If you have more than one Appendix, label them with letters (e.g., “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc.). If you have only one Appendix, label it with the word “Appendix.”
• Appendices can include anything from a table of contents to detailed descriptions of research instruments.
• Include all appendices in your table of contents.
• Center the word “Appendix” at the top of the first page.
• Double space the entire appendix, just as you would the rest of your paper.
• Indent each paragraph five spaces (just as you would in the main body of your paper).
• Use hanging indents for all entries (just as you would in the main body of your paper).
• Include a header with the title of the Appendix and the page number.

Appendix Chicago Style

An Appendix in chicago format typically contains additional material that is not essential to the overall argument of the paper, but which may be helpful to the reader in understanding the thesis or in learning more about a particular topic. This additional material can include:

• Detailed explanations of methods or calculations
• Tables or figures that provide more information than can be included in the body of the paper
• Excerpts from interview transcripts or other documents
• A list of sources cited in the Appendix

Guidelines for creating an Appendices in Chicago format.

When creating an Appendix in Chicago format, be sure to:

• Label it clearly with a descriptive title
• Include a table of contents that lists each item in the Appendix and its page number
• Place the Appendix after the end of the main body of the paper
• Number the pages of the Appendix consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.), starting with the first page of actual content
• Double-space all text in the Appendix, except for block quotations
• Indent block quotations five spaces from the left margin
• Use standard margins.
• Use a serif font (e.g. Times New Roman) for all text in the Appendix, including headings and table titles
• If you include tables or figures in your Appendix, be sure to title them and provide appropriate captions.

For more information on how to format Chicago style Appendices, please see the “Chicago Manual of Style” (16th edition)

Appendix MLA Format

In MLA format, a research paper appendix usually appears at the end of your paper, after the Works Cited page.

An appendix is a collection of supplementary materials that are not necessarily essential to the paper, but which provide useful background information or present detailed supporting evidence.

You might choose to include an appendix in your paper if you have a particularly compelling data set, diagram, or quotation that you want to share with your reader.

If you decide to include an appendix, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

• Appendix should be titled “Appendix” and numbered as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc.
• Each item in your appendix must be cited in your main text, and the appendix itself must be listed in your Works Cited page.

Generally, an MLA appendix will include the following types of materials:

• Tables or figures
• Questionnaires or surveys
• Transcripts of interviews
• Detailed descriptions of methodology or procedures
• Lists of terms and definitions
• Sample works or results
• Copies of relevant primary sources

When in doubt, ask your professor whether or not to include an appendix in your paper.

An appendix is a compilation of supplementary materials that are not essential to the main body of your paper, but which may be helpful to the reader in understanding your thesis or learning more about a particular topic. When creating an appendix, be sure to follow specific guidelines for formatting and cite all material within the appendix according to MLA or Chicago style. If you have any questions about appendix formatting, be sure to consult the most recent edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, APA, or the MLA Handbook. Properly formatted appendices can provide valuable supplemental information to your reader and make your argument more clear.

• Thesis-Sample-Appendices-Straight-Numbering.pdf
• Formatting – Essay, Reference List, Appendix, & Sample Paper
• How to Write an APA Format Appendix – Verywell Mind
• APA Style Guide: Appendix – LibGuides at Western Oregon
• Formatting: Appendices – APA Style Guide: 7th Edition

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Appendix In A Paper: Complete Guide To Writing

In many cases, you will be required to create an appendix for your academic papers. The word “appendix” or “appendices” (yes, you can have more than one) usually scares students of all ages. So, let’s see exactly what is an appendix in a paper and how you write one. Writing an appendix in a paper is definitely not difficult, but you need to pay attention to a lot of minor details. Another very important thing that we will be discussing is how to cite an appendix. Why? Because simply learning how to put an appendix in a paper is not enough. You need to know how to use it effectively. And remember, you must also know the appendix meaning in the research paper.

The Role Of The Appendix In A Paper

Before you learn what an appendix in a paper is, you need to understand the role of this section. In most cases, you will be writing an APA paper appendix, but it doesn’t really matter. Appendices are basically the same – only their format differs slightly. The role of an appendix in APA paper is to include information that would be too detailed and complex to include in the body of the essay. That section is created with the sole purpose of avoiding bombarding the readers with too much information. It helps you focus on the topic and avoid explaining everything in the body of the essay.

What Is An Appendix In A Paper: Simple Definition

Now that you know the role of an appendix let’s see what is an appendix in a research paper. As we ’ ve mentioned before, it is just a section at the end of the paper that includes some information that is too long and complex to include in the body of the essay. The appendix paper APA is there to basically avoid distracting the attention of your readers from the important parts of your research. The appendix research paper is located near the end of the essay, right before the Footnotes section (if you have this section, of course). Let’s take an example. You are discussing a topic like “Nanotechnology in medicine,” and you reach a point where some technical information about nanovesicles is required. Instead of writing an entire – complex – section about nanovesicles, you include all the relevant information in an appendix. You then just reference the appendix in the paper. Simple and effective!

Creating Appendix In A Paper

The appendix of a paper is not difficult to create. However, you must understand precisely what’s an appendix in a paper. Here is how you create an appendix in the paper:

• To start an appendix in research paper, you write the appendix label on a new page (with page number). The label is “Appendix A,” Appendix B,” “Appendix C,” and so on. The label must be centered.
• The next step to create an appendix for paper is to write a title for the appendix. The title goes below the label and should be centered. For example: “The List of Countries In Europe That Have the Largest Female Population.”
• Write the first paragraph of the appendix without any indent and flushed left.
• Write the following paragraphs formatted normally, indented.

That’s it! Your appendix is ready. Still wondering what does an appendix look like in a paper? Here is a quick example:

Appendix A (the label, centered)

The List of Countries in Europe That Have the Largest Female Population (the title, centered)

The first paragraph goes here. (flush left without any indent).

The second paragraph goes here (normal indent and standard formatting).

The third paragraph…and so on.

Learning How To Cite An Appendix

Now you know how to create a research paper appendix. But do you know how to reference an appendix in the paper? It’s pretty simple, actually. You just refer to the appendix in the text by writing “(see Appendix A)” at the end of the sentence where the information is needed. Here is an example:

“Spain has the third largest female population in Europe (see Appendix A).”

And that is how you reference a paper appendix. Remember that you can have as many appendices as you need. If you have more than 26 of them, you will need to start the alphabet over with two letters (AA, BB, CC, etc.). For example, Appendix 27 will be labeled “Appendix AA.”

Some Useful Tips For Writing Appendix

You may know how to make an appendix for a paper, but do you know how to avoid making mistakes in the process? Unless you decide to get help of our professional writers , follow one simple rule – when you make an appendix for a paper, you must always have a label and a title for it. Also, each appendix goes on a separate page. If you have just one appendix, it will be labeled “Appendix” and referenced with “(see Appendix).” The last tip is very important: each one of your appendices must discuss a separate topic. Don’t write two appendices that deal with the same thing or you will get penalized. And remember, you can include any information from outside sources in appendices, as long as you cite it parenthetically and include it in the References section of the essay. And no, you don’t have to write a new References section for the appendices. Good luck!

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Appendix Writing

Detailed Guide on Appendix Writing: With Tips and Examples

Published on: Feb 29, 2020

Last updated on: Nov 24, 2023

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Writing a research paper involves more than just the main text. Sometimes, you've got extra valuable details that support your work. 

This is where appendices come in, providing a neat solution to include relevant information without cluttering your main argument.

However, adding them to the research might overwhelm your readers if stuffed into the main text of the paper.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about what to include in the appendix and what to avoid. 

So, let’s dive right in!

On This Page On This Page -->

What is Appendix Writing?

An appendix is an optional section at the end of a research paper . It includes additional or supplementary material that supports the main content but doesn’t take away from the main argument. 

Purpose of Appendix

Here is why appendices are important for research papers or journals:

• Additional Information: The appendix lets you include extra stuff like charts, graphs, surveys, or lengthy data that supports what you're saying in your paper.
• Maintaining Focus: Instead of cluttering the main text with detailed or lengthy content, the appendix keeps the main body concise and focused while providing interested readers with more in-depth material.
• Supporting Evidence : In academic or research papers, appendices can back up claims, show detailed methodologies, or provide extra evidence without interrupting the flow of the main text.
• Enhancing Readability: They help keep the main content smooth and easy to read by storing less critical but still relevant info separately.

How to Write an Appendix 

Adding an appendix to your academic or research paper can significantly enhance the depth and credibility of your work. 

Here is what you should consider while writing an appendix:

Including Relevant Information

Here is what is typically included in an appendix:

• Raw Data: Tables, charts, graphs, or raw statistical data to provide essential support to your findings or arguments.
• Detailed Descriptions: Elaborate explanations, lengthy details, or expanded descriptions that might disrupt the flow of the main text but are relevant to the discussion.
• Supporting Documents: Additional documents such as interview transcripts, surveys, questionnaires, or images that enhance the reader's understanding but aren't directly tied to the main body.
• Technical Information: Detailed methodologies, calculations, or complex algorithms used in the research but not necessary for the primary narrative.
• Extra References: Additional references, bibliography, or citations that supplement but are not integral to the text.

Structuring for Clarity

Efficiently organizing appendices in academic work is crucial for the understanding of readers.

Here is how you can improve the structure of your appendix:

• Logical Organization: Group related content together within appendices, like placing similar datasets in sequence, ensuring a logical flow.
• Separation and Labeling: Use separate pages for different content types (e.g., "Appendix A," "Appendix B") and number them for clarity ("Appendix 1," "Appendix 2").
• Consider a Table of Contents: If multiple appendices are present, a table of contents at the start can assist readers in navigating them.

Connecting with the Main Text 

To make sense of your academic paper, the appendix added needs to be relevant for the paper to make sense. 

Let’s take a look at how you can maintain consistency in your appendix:

• Relevance and Alignment: Ensure each appendix directly relates to and supports the main content without disrupting its flow.
• Clear References: Incorporate in-text citations or references guiding readers to relevant appendices for additional insights or information. 

Citation Style Guidelines

Maintaining citation consistency isn't limited to the main text. Let's take a look at how you can be consistent with citations in the appendices section:

• Formatting Consistency: Follow the formatting regulations set by the chosen citation style of your research throughout the appendices.
• Standardized Labeling: Maintain consistency in citing sources, labeling tables or figures, and formatting references within the appendices for a polished presentation.

Including Tables and Images

Using pictures or tables can be a helpful addition to your paper. Here is what you should consider when adding tables and images in your appendices:

• Include Useful Material: Include tables, figures, or visuals in the appendices that bolster research findings without interrupting the main text's flow.
• Comprehension Enhancement: Ensure these visuals provide context and add value to the reader's understanding of the research presented in the main text.

How to Format an Appendix

Appendix formatting requirements may be different based on your institution's guidelines or the citation style used in your paper. 

Let’s take a look at appendix formatting requirements according to different citation styles:

American Psychological Association (APA)

In APA style , the appendix provides supplementary information that supports the main content. It is typically placed after the main text, references, tables, or figures. 

Here is the standard structure for an APA Format:

• Footnotes (if applicable)
• Appendix (placed after figures or tables)

Chicago Manual of Style

In the Chicago style , the appendix serves to offer additional information supporting the content without being essential for comprehension. 

Let’s take a look at the standard structure for Chicago Style:

• Appendix (placed after the main text)
• Notes (if applicable)
• Bibliography

Modern Language Association (MLA)

In MLA style , the appendix includes materials that enhance understanding without interrupting the main text's flow.

Here is what a standard structure for MLA looks like:

• Title Page 
• Table of Contents 
• Document Heading
• Appendix (after the main text)
• Works Cited

The following elements should be included in the appendix section, regardless of the formatting style:

• Distinct Pages for Each Section: Begin each new appendix on a separate page to maintain clarity and organization.
• Clear Labeling and Titles: Label each appendix distinctly, such as "Appendix A" or "Appendix 1." Provide a descriptive title summarizing its content.
• Page Numbering and Positioning: Number pages in each appendix section, labeling them at the top of the page for easy reference. Place appendices after the reference list, each on a separate page.
• Content Connection to Main Text: Ensure the appendix material directly relates to and enhances the main body of your paper. Refer appropriately to the appendix within the text to guide readers to supplementary material.
• Review and Refinement: Review each appendix for coherence, relevance, and clarity before finalizing. Remove redundant or irrelevant content to streamline the supplemental information.

Appendix Writing Examples

Examples are an excellent way to understand the formatting and structure.  Therefore, here are some professionally written examples to help you understand:

Appendix Writing Sample

Appendix Writing in a Report

Appendix Writing MLA

Appendix Writing Thesis

Appendix Writing APA

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Appendix Writing

Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

• Vague or Irrelevant Information

Anything that doesn't directly contribute to the understanding of or support the main text should be avoided.

• Duplicate Information

Content that's already thoroughly covered in the main body of the document doesn't need to be repeated in the appendix.

• Overloading with Unnecessary Information

Avoid including vague or irrelevant data in the appendices. Only include material that directly contributes to the understanding and credibility of your research.

• Lack of Clear Labeling and Structure

Unclear labeling or disorganized structure within the appendices can confuse readers. Ensure each appendix is labeled distinctly and organized logically.

• Neglecting to Guide the Reader

Failure to reference or guide the reader to the appendices from the main text can hinder the reader's understanding of your research paper.

So, there you have it!

Writing an effective appendix involves thoughtful selection, clear organization, and relevant inclusion of supplementary material. 

Formatting according to the specific citation style and avoiding common mistakes ensures your appendix adds value to your research paper.

However, if you are still confused and need a professional writer’s help, it is a good idea to consult MyPerfectWords.com . 

We are the best online essay writing service and offer excellent writing services.

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Definition of Appendix in a Book or Written Work

Do You Need a List of Supplementary Materials?

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

The word appendix comes from the Latin "appendere," meaning "hang upon." An appendix is a collection of supplementary materials, usually appearing at the end of a report , academic paper,  proposal  (such as a bid or a grant), or book. It typically includes data and supporting documents the writer has used to develop the written work.

Examples of Supporting Materials

Not every report, proposal, or book requires an appendix. Including one, however, allows a writer to point to additional information that may be relevant to readers but would be out of place in the main body of the text. An appendix can give the reader more depth regarding the topic, supply resources for further reading or contact lists, or provide documentation to make the case for a grant or bid proposal. That said, an appendix should not be treated as an opportunity for padding .

Appendix information may include tables, figures, charts, letters, memos, detailed technical specs, maps, drawings, diagrams, photos, or other materials. In the case of research papers, supporting materials may include surveys, questionnaires, or schematics and the like that were used to produce the results included in the paper.

Supplemental vs. Elemental

Because of its supplementary nature, it's important that material in an appendix not be left to speak for itself. "This means that you must not put vital information only in an appendix without any indication in the main text that it is there," notes Eamon Fulcher, author of "A Guide to Coursework in Psychology."

An appendix is an ideal place to include information and other data that are simply too long or detailed to incorporate into the main body text. If these materials were used in the work's development, readers may want to reference them to double-check or locate additional information. Including the materials in an appendix is often the most organized way to make them available.

The appendix material should be streamlined, relevant to your topic or thesis, and useful to the reader—but it's not a place to put all of your research materials. The citations in the references, bibliography, works cited, or end notes will take care of citing your sources. An appendix is a place for items that help the reader's understanding of your work and research and the topic at hand. If the material is not important enough to refer to in your text, then don't include it in an appendix.

Fast Facts: Should You Include an Appendix?

Whether you include an appendix depends on your topic and what will benefit the reader. If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, create an appendix.

• Will supplemental materials aid the reader's understanding of your topic?
• Will they provide resources for further reading or exploration?
• Will they supply additional depth to the data presented in your report, article, book, or proposal?
• Will the materials provide additional backup for your thesis or message?
• Do you have items that would be unwieldy to present in a footnote?

Formatting an Appendix

The way in which you format your appendix depends on the style guide you have chosen to follow for your work. In general, each item referred to in your text (table, figure, chart, or other information) should be included as its own appendix. However, if there are many data sets under one grouping, keep them together in their appendix and label each piece appropriately.

If you have more than one appendix, label the appendices "Appendix A," "Appendix B," an so forth, so that you can easily cite them in the body of the report, and start each on a separate page. For the ease of the readers, put your appendices in the order that you refer to them in the paper and don't forget to note them in the table of contents—if your work has one.

Research papers, including academic and medical studies, usually follow APA style guidelines for the formatting of appendices. They can also follow the Chicago Manual of Style. For each of these styles, format the appendix as follows:

• APA: Center the title, and use upper and lowercase letters. The text of the appendix should be flush left, and you should indent your paragraphs.
• Chicago: The Chicago style manual also allows for numbered appendices (1, 2, 3, not just A, B, C). As far as location, they appear before any end notes sections so that any information in the appendices that needs a note can refer to the notes section. If there are many tables in the appendices, though, it might be best to keep the notes with the tables.

Appendix vs. Addendum

An addendum is new material added to a book or other written work after its first edition has been produced. For example, an addendum may contain updated research or additional sources that came to light or further explanation about the book from the author.

Addendums can also be used in legal documents. An addendum can change the terms of a contract, such as canceling sections or updating terms or pricing in sections of a contract without the contract becoming null and void in its entirety, which would require all parties involved to read, agree to, and sign it again. The parties to the contract simply need to sign the addendum, and usually initial the noted changes.

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