FAQ: What does (n.d.) mean?

When an online or print article does not contain a date of publication, the APA format uses the abbreviation (n.d.) to specify no date. Online books, websites, and other materials cited that do not contain a copyright or date published also use (n.d.). 

Neither the Chicago Manual of Style nor the MLA Handbook use (n.d.) in citations. Instead, they recommend adding an accessed date.

Using (n.d.)

General Format

Author. (n.d.). Title. Source.

For Example

United Nations. (n.d.). Water action decade, 2018-2028: Averting a global water crisis. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-action-decade/

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(United Nations, n.d.)

OR

United Nations (n.d.)

More Information

• Missing Reference Information This link opens in a new window (APA Style Website)
• APA Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.

Campus Students

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Online Students

To access help with citations and more, visit the Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:

• Academic Support Overview: Getting Help with your Schoolwork This link opens in a new window