In APA style, n.d. stands for "no date." It is used in both in-text citations and reference list entries when the publication date of a source cannot be found.
Understanding "n.d." in APA Style
When you are citing or referencing a source in APA (American Psychological Association) style and there is no discernible publication date, you use the abbreviation "n.d." This ensures that your citation remains complete, even in the absence of a specific year of publication. It serves as a placeholder for the year that would typically appear in the date position of your citation.
- Purpose: To indicate the absence of a publication date for a source.
- Placement: It replaces the year in both in-text citations and reference list entries.
- Formatting: Always appears in lowercase letters with periods after each letter (n.d.).
When to Use "n.d."
You should only use "n.d." when you have exhausted all efforts to find a publication date for your source. This includes checking:
- The title page or copyright page of a book.
- The journal or magazine issue itself.
- The website's header, footer, or "About Us" section.
- Metadata for online documents (e.g., properties of a PDF).
If, after a thorough search, no date can be identified, then "n.d." is the appropriate choice.
Examples of "n.d." in APA Citations
The application of "n.d." is straightforward in both types of APA citations:
In-Text Citations
When referring to a source within the body of your paper, the format for an in-text citation with no date is as follows:
- (Author, n.d.)
- Author (n.d.) stated that...
Example:
- Research indicates a strong correlation (Smith, n.d.).
- Smith (n.d.) suggested that further studies are needed.
Reference List Entries
In your reference list, "n.d." takes the place where the year of publication would normally be.
General Format:
- Author, A. A. (n.d.). Title of work. Publisher.
Specific Examples:
| Source Type | Format with Date | Format with "n.d." |
|---|---|---|
| Book | Doe, J. (2020). The art of writing. XYZ Press. | Doe, J. (n.d.). The art of writing. XYZ Press. |
| Webpage | World Health Organization. (2023, April 15). | World Health Organization. (n.d.). Global |
| Global health trends. | health trends. Retrieved from * | |
| https://www.who.int/trends | https://www.who.int/trends | |
| Journal Article | Lee, E. (2019). Impact of technology. Journal | Lee, E. (n.d.). Impact of technology. Journal |
| of Modern Studies, 10(2), 45-56. | of Modern Studies, 10(2), 45-56. |
Importance of Accuracy
While "n.d." is a necessary tool, it's crucial to use it judiciously. Always prioritize finding the actual publication date. Providing complete and accurate citation information helps readers locate your sources and gives proper credit to the original authors. For more detailed guidelines on APA style, consult official resources like the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).
