How to Use Bibliography in a Word Alternative

Quick Answer

To build a bibliography in a Word alternative, use WPS Writer on desktop: open the References tab, insert footnotes or endnotes for in-text source marks, then add a manually formatted reference list (bibliography page) at the end of your document. WPS Academy documents this footnote/endnote workflow — not Word-style Insert Citation → auto Bibliography. If you need built-in source management and automatic bibliography generation, Microsoft Word desktop offers References → Insert Citation → Bibliography. WPS opens Microsoft-compatible .docx files, but verify citation formatting before sharing.

Key Facts

Word-Style Auto Bibliography vs WPS Writer Manual Workflow (What to Expect)

Many academic and professional documents need a bibliography — a list of sources at the end — plus in-text citations. Microsoft Word desktop and WPS Writer handle this differently.

Word desktop Citations & Bibliography (Microsoft Support): On the References tab, choose a Style (such as APA or MLA), add sources through Insert Citation → Add New Source, insert citations from your source list, then place an auto-generated bibliography via References → Bibliography. When you add new sources, click in the bibliography and select Update Citations and Bibliography.

WPS Writer manual workflow (WPS Academy + WPS Help): WPS does not document an equivalent built-in source database with one-click auto Bibliography. The evidenced path is the Reference tab — insert and customize footnotes and endnotes, then type a manually formatted reference list on a separate page at the document end. WPS Academy notes this approach when third-party plugins such as Mendeley are unavailable on WPS.

Editorial check: If your assignment requires automatic APA/MLA formatting from a managed source list, Word desktop or a third-party reference manager may fit better. WPS Writer suits users who need a free Word alternative and can format a bibliography page manually or use footnote/endnote source notes.

Insert Footnotes and Endnotes in WPS Writer (References Tab Step-by-Step)

WPS Academy documents how to add reference marks through the References tab:

1. Place the cursor where you want the reference mark in your document.

2. Click the References tab.

3. Click Settings, then Footnote/Endnote to open the Footnote and Endnote dialog.

4. In the dialog, set Location (for example, bottom of page for footnotes), Number Format, Start at, and Numbering method.

5. Click Insert.

6. Enter your citation or source note text in the footnote or endnote area that appears.

WPS Help adds that footnotes appear at the bottom of the page or below text, while endnotes (references) sit at the end of the file or end of section — choose the placement in the References settings dialog before inserting.

WPS Office is described as a free all-in-one suite to edit Word, Excel, and PPT per WPS Academy, so you can build academic documents in the same environment where you draft essays and reports.

Build a Bibliography / Reference List Page in WPS Writer (Manual List + Endnotes)

After inserting footnotes or endnotes for in-text source marks, add a formal bibliography page:

1. Move to the end of your document (or start a new page with a page break).

2. Add a heading such as References or Bibliography.

3. Type each source entry manually, formatted to your required style (APA, MLA, Chicago, or your institution's rules). This guide does not replace a full style manual — confirm formatting with your instructor or publisher.

4. Match superscript numbers in the body to endnote entries, or keep footnotes on each page and list full citations only on the bibliography page — whichever your style requires.

WPS Help documents endnotes at the document or section end specifically for reference notes. Many writers use endnotes for brief in-text markers and reserve the bibliography page for full publication details.

When opening an existing Word .docx that already contains citations or a bibliography, WPS pricing page states 100% compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats. Still verify that superscript numbers, note separators, and bibliography spacing render correctly before submitting or sharing the file.

Convert and Navigate Footnotes/Endnotes in WPS Writer

Convert between footnotes and endnotes

WPS Help documents conversion through References → Setting → Convert:

• Convert all footnotes to endnotes

• Convert all endnotes to footnotes

• Swap footnotes and endnotes

Use this when your instructor or publisher requires endnotes instead of page-bottom footnotes, or when you need to reorganize notes after drafting.

Navigate notes in long documents

On the References tab, WPS Help documents navigation controls:

• Previous Footnote / Next Footnote

• Previous Endnote / Next Endnote

Use these to jump between reference marks while editing a long thesis, report, or research paper.

Optional: Third-Party Reference Managers (Mendeley Gap · EndNote on Windows)

Mendeley plugin on WPS

WPS Academy states there has not been a supported version of the Mendeley plugin for WPS Office when the article was written. The Mendeley setup guide covers Microsoft Word instead. Do not treat Mendeley-in-WPS as a primary path for this workflow.

When Mendeley is unavailable, WPS Academy points users to the Reference tab for inserting and customizing footnotes and endnotes — the manual workflow described above.

EndNote Cite While You Write (Windows)

Clarivate Support documents EndNote compatibility with WPS Writer for Windows. When EndNote is installed, Cite While You Write can add a bibliography list at the end of the document. If the plugin is missing, Clarivate advises repairing EndNote. This is an optional third-party path — verify the live product UI and your EndNote license before relying on it.

Editorial check: EndNote + WPS is documented for Windows only in the Clarivate source. Other platforms should use the manual footnote/endnote workflow unless you confirm a supported integration.

How to Create a Bibliography in Microsoft Word Desktop (Brief Alternative)

If you have Microsoft Word desktop and need automatic bibliography generation:

1. On the References tab, choose a Style from the gallery.

2. Click Insert Citation → Add New Source.

3. Enter source details in the Create Source dialog box and save.

4. Place the cursor where the citation belongs and insert it from the citation list.

5. When all in-text citations are in place, move to where the bibliography should appear.

6. Go to References → Bibliography and choose a format.

7. After adding new sources, click inside the bibliography and select Update Citations and Bibliography.

Microsoft Support also documents Manage Sources (Source Manager) for reusing sources across documents and distinguishes a works cited list from a bibliography.

Word for the web is a separate tier: Microsoft offers Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the web free with a Microsoft account and 5 GB OneDrive storage. Web Word may not include the full desktop Citations & Bibliography feature set — confirm before assuming parity with desktop Word.

FAQ

Does WPS Writer have Word-style Insert Citation and auto Bibliography?

No official WPS Academy or WPS Help article documents Word-style Insert Citation → Manage Sources → auto Bibliography inside WPS Writer. The evidenced primary path is footnotes/endnotes plus a manually typed reference list. Optional third-party tools such as EndNote on Windows may add auto bibliography — verify before claiming.

How do I format APA or MLA bibliography entries in WPS Writer?

WPS Writer does not auto-format APA, MLA, or Chicago from a built-in source database. Type each entry manually on your bibliography page following your style guide. Use footnotes or endnotes for in-text reference marks via the References tab.

Will my bibliography survive when I open a Word .docx in WPS Writer?

WPS states compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats. Open your .docx, check footnote/endnote numbering, bibliography spacing, and heading styles, then verify again before sharing. Complex Word citation fields may need testing on your specific file.

Can I use Mendeley with WPS Writer?

WPS Academy states Mendeley plugin support for WPS Office has not been available. Use WPS footnotes/endnotes manually, switch to Word for Mendeley, or explore EndNote on WPS Writer for Windows per Clarivate documentation.

How do I update my bibliography after adding new sources in WPS?

In WPS, add a new footnote or endnote for each new in-text reference, then type the full citation on your bibliography page. Unlike Word desktop, there is no Update Citations and Bibliography button — you maintain the list manually.

Does WPS Writer work for bibliography on mobile (Android or iOS)?

WPS is available on iOS and Android per WPS Academy. This guide's References-tab footnote/endnote steps are sourced for desktop Writer. Mobile References behavior may differ — test on your device before relying on it for academic submission.

What is the difference between footnotes and endnotes in WPS?

WPS Help documents footnotes at the bottom of the page or below text, and endnotes (references) at the end of the document or end of section. Choose placement in the Footnote/Endnote dialog under References → Settings.

Should I use WPS Writer or Word for academic bibliographies?

Editorial check: Choose Word desktop if you need built-in Manage Sources and auto Bibliography. Choose WPS Writer if you want a free Word alternative and can build bibliographies through footnotes/endnotes and a manual reference list — or use EndNote on WPS Writer for Windows if that integration meets your needs.

Sources and Last Reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-06-30