How to Cite Technical Manuals
Learn how to properly cite user guides, instruction manuals, and technical documentation in APA format.
Basic Format
Organization/Author. (Year). Title of manual (Version/Model No.). Publisher.
Organization/Author. (Year). Title of manual (Version/Model No.). URL
Examples
Software Manual
Microsoft Corporation. (2021). Microsoft Teams admin documentation (Version 2.0). https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/
Hardware Manual
Apple Inc. (2023). MacBook Pro user guide (16-inch, M2 Pro/Max). https://support.apple.com/guide/macbook-pro/
Technical Documentation
Red Hat, Inc. (2022). Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 system administrator's guide. https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/9/
Key Elements
Manual Identification
- Include complete manual title
- Add version or model numbers
- Specify edition if applicable
- Note product line or series
Version Information
- Include software version numbers
- Add hardware model identifiers
- Note revision dates
- Specify update or patch numbers
Access Information
- Provide direct URLs to documentation
- Include DOIs if available
- Note access requirements
- Specify format (PDF, HTML, etc.)
Special Cases
Additional Guidelines
- For beta or preview documentation, note status
- Include language version for international manuals
- Specify platform or system requirements
- Note supplementary materials or appendices
In-Text Citations
First Citation
Use the full organization name:
According to Microsoft Corporation (2021), the feature requires...
Subsequent Citations
Use a shortened form:
The documentation (Microsoft, 2021) states...
Online Documentation
Digital Formats
- Use permalinks when available
- Include section identifiers for large documents
- Note interactive or multimedia elements
- Specify offline availability options
Version Control
- Track documentation updates
- Note archived versions
- Include last updated dates
- Reference changelog if available
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't omit version or model numbers
- Don't use unofficial product names
- Don't cite outdated documentation without noting version
- Don't forget to specify platform or system
- Don't ignore access restrictions or requirements