How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in Harvard (Cite Them Right)
Learn how to cite PowerPoint and presentation slide decks in Harvard format (Cite Them Right). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
Harvard Reference List Format
Here is the standard Harvard format for citing a PowerPoint presentation in your reference list:
Author, A.A. (Year) 'Title of presentation' [PowerPoint presentation]. Module Code: Module Title. Available at: https://example.edu/slides (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Harvard Example for a PowerPoint Presentation
A complete Harvard reference for a PowerPoint presentation, formatted by the official Harvard CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Mbeki, T. (2024) “Citation metrics in context,” Research Impact Symposium. State University, 22 April. Available at: https://www.example.org/slides/metrics.
Matching in-text citation: (Mbeki, 2024)
Harvard In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Author, Year)
Narrative
Author (Year) presents...
Key Harvard Formatting Rules
- Put the presentation title in single quotation marks.
- Add the bracket descriptor [PowerPoint presentation] after the title.
- Give the module code and title (or the event) where the slides were presented.
- End with 'Available at:' and the URL, then the accessed date in parentheses.
- In the text, cite the author and year, e.g. (Author, 2024).
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your PowerPoint presentation.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Harvard (Cite Them Right) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Harvard requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: harvard.csl
Metadata to collect
- presenter
- presentation title
- date delivered
- course, conference or organization
- institution or venue
- URL of the slides, if shared
Common metadata traps
- If your readers cannot access the slides, cite them as a personal communication instead.
- Use slide numbers as the locator when you quote.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a PowerPoint presentation in Harvard?
- To cite a PowerPoint presentation in Harvard (Cite Them Right), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the Harvard format for a PowerPoint presentation citation?
- The Harvard format for a PowerPoint presentation is: Author, A.A. (Year) 'Title of presentation' [PowerPoint presentation]. Module Code: Module Title. Available at: https://example.edu/slides (Accessed: Day Month Year).
- What does the in-text citation look like for a PowerPoint presentation in Harvard?
- In Harvard, the in-text citation for the example above is (Author, Year)
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