How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite PowerPoint and presentation slide decks in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
MLA Works Cited Format
Here is the standard MLA format for citing a PowerPoint presentation in your Works Cited page:
Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Presentation." Course or Conference Name, Day Month Year, https://example.edu/slides. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
MLA Example for a PowerPoint Presentation
A complete MLA reference for a PowerPoint presentation, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Mbeki, Thandi. “Citation Metrics in Context.” PowerPoint slides. Research Impact Symposium, State University, https://www.example.org/slides/metrics.
Matching in-text citation: (Mbeki)
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Author, slide 4)
Narrative
Author argues that... (slide 4).
Key MLA Formatting Rules
- Put the presentation title in quotation marks.
- Add the description "Microsoft PowerPoint presentation" at the end of the entry.
- Name the course, conference, or site where the deck appeared, with the date.
- Include the URL for slides you accessed online.
- Cite a specific slide by number in the in-text citation if the slides are numbered.
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 MLA (9th edition) 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 Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA 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: mla.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 MLA?
- To cite a PowerPoint presentation in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the MLA format for a PowerPoint presentation citation?
- The MLA format for a PowerPoint presentation is: Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Presentation." Course or Conference Name, Day Month Year, https://example.edu/slides. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a PowerPoint presentation in MLA?
- In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Author, slide 4)
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