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APA Citation Guide (APA 7th Edition): Images, Infographics, Maps, Charts & Tables

Inserting Figures (Images, Infographics) and Tables (Charts, Graphs) in your Paper

 If you reproduce ("insert") a figure or table in your assignment:

  1. Assign each a figure or table number, in bold and left-aligned.
  2. Include a title (in your own words) of the figure or table in italics.
  3. Insert the figure or table into your paper.
  4. Create an attribution note underneath the figure or table to show where you found it. See the box below, "Elements to Include in the Attribution under the Figure".
  5. Cite the figure or table in your Reference List. Use the citation format of the source where the image is found. (e.g., if you find the image on a website, cite the website.)

If you are only citing information from an image or table, see the section on Citing Information From an Image, Infographic, Chart, Table, or Graph (Not Inserting It).

Examples

 Remember to include the full citation in your Reference List.


Example: Inserting an Image from a Database or Digital Collection

Figure 3​

Sign Advertising New Home of Seneca

 Photo of Sod Turning at Finch Campus Site and Construction Progress Sign

Note. From Sod turning at Finch Campus site and construction progress [Photograph], by Department of Media Production, 1968, Images from the Archives: Celebrating 50 Years of Seneca (https://digitalrepository.senecapolytechnic.ca/s/
imagesfromthearchives/item/18806). Copyright 1968 by Seneca Polytechnic.
 Remember to include the full citation in your Reference List.


Example: Inserting an Image from a Book or eBook 

Figure 2​

Santa Maria dei Miracoli Church

 Santa Maria dei Miracoli Church

Note. A detail from the south facade, Santa Maria dei Miracoli church. From "Renaissance Art in Venice: From Tradition to Individualism," by T. Nichols, 2016, p. 66, Laurence King Publishing. Copyright 2016 by akg-images. 
 Remember to include the full citation in your Reference List.


Example: Inserting a Stock Image or Image Found Online (e.g., Websites, Social Media)
 

Note: It's important to be aware of copyright when using images found online. Even if you include a citation, certain images still require the copyright holder's permission before you can copy and include it in your work. Always check the terms of use of the online source to ensure that you can include the image in your work and/or if you need to first get the copyright holder's permission. If it's not essential to include the image in your assignment, consider linking to the image source or using free images instead. For sources of free images you can use in your coursework, please see the Sandbox Finding Free Images, Audio, and Video guide.  

 

Figure 3​

Union Station (Toronto, Ontario)

 Union Station

Note. From Toronto: Union Station [Photograph], by The City of Toronto, 2010, Flickr (https://flic.kr/p/fZDBFK). CC BY 2.0.
 Remember to include the full citation in your Reference List.


Example: Inserting a Map from Google Maps

Figure 1​

Street Map of Seneca Polytechnic Newnham Campus  

Google Map example 

Note. From Google Maps, by Google (maps.app.goo.gl/GbjeHL9HYjsqJH8w8). Copyright 2024 by Google.
 Remember to include the full citation in your Reference List.


Example: Inserting a Table from a Journal
 

Table 1​

Main Roles of Primary Caffeine Metabolites

Caffeine metabolites Roles
Paraxanthine Breaks down fats
Increases glycerol and fat levels in blood
Theobromine Dilates blood vessels
Increases urination, Diuretic effect
Theophylline Dilates airways
Used in the treatment of asthma

Note. From "Pharmacology of Caffeine and Its Effects on the Human Body," by V. S. Reddy, S. Shiva, S. Manikantan, and S. Ramakrishnan, 2024, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Reports, 10, p. 4 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmcr.2024.100138). Copyright 2024 by Elsevier B.V.

 Remember to include the full citation in your Reference List.

 

Examples: Inserting Screenshots & Frame Captures You Have Taken

Figure 1

Screenshot of Seneca Libraries' Research Support Guide

Library Research Support Guide

Note. From Research Support at Seneca Libraries: A Guide, by Seneca Libraries (https://library.senecapolytechnic.ca/researchsupport). Copyright 2024 by Seneca Polytechnic.

 

Figure 2

Still From the Lumière Brothers' First Film "La Sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory)

La Sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon still

Note. From Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory, by A. Lumière and L. Lumière, 1895, Wikimedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers_Leaving_the_Lumi%C3%A8re_Factory). In the public domain.

 

Note: It's important to be aware of copyright when taking and including screenshots or frame captures. Even if you include a citation, certain images may require the copyright holder's permission before you can copy and include it in your work. Always check the terms of use of the source to ensure that you can include the screenshot or frame capture in your work and/or if you need to first get the copyright holder's permission. If it's not essential to include the image in your assignment, consider including a link to the image source instead.  

Inserting an Original Photo or Image That You Created


Published Images

If your photograph or image is publicly accessible online, such as on a website, social media, or blog, follow the format for Image from a Website.

 

Unpublished Images

If you are including your original image or photo that is not publicly accessible, you do not need to cite it. 

However, Seneca Libraries recommends adding a note beneath the image such as "Photograph by author" or "Image by author" to indicate that it's your own work. You do not need to include a citation in your References List.

If you are inserting your original photo or image in a digital assignment (e.g., presentation slide, infographic), see Seneca Libraries' recommendations.

 

Example

Figure 1​

Paper Cranes at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

 Paper Cranes at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Note. Photograph by author.

Elements to Include in the Attribution Below the Figure:

►Note

Begin the attribution with the word Note.

►Description

Include a short description (optional).

►"From" or "Adapted from"

If you are reusing the exact image, start the copyright attribution statement with From. If you have modified the image, start the statement with Adapted from. 

►Citation Information

The format will depend on the source of your image or table. Generally, the citation information is listed in the order of title, author, publication year, and source. Please refer to the citation examples for guidance on how to list citation information in the attribution.  

►Copyright Information

At the end of the attribution, include one of the following copyright statements:

  • Copyright year by Name of Copyright Holder.

    • Example: Copyright 2020 by John Wiley & Sons. 

    • The copyright holder can be the publisher, sponsoring organization, or creator of the work. For example, the copyright holder of a journal article is the publisher of a journal, usually found at the bottom of the journal's website, next to the copyright symbol.

    • If applicable, include a permission statement after the copyright statement if you have requested and received permission to reuse or adapt the work. For example:

      • Copyright 2024 by Seneca Libraries. Reprinted with permission.

      • Copyright 2024 by Seneca Libraries. Adapted with permission.

  • In the public domain.

  • Creative Commons license

    • Example: CC BY 2.0.

Citing Information From an Image, Infographic, Chart, Table or Graph (Not Inserting It)

​This happens if you only wish to cite information from an image, infographic, chart, table, or graph and are not inserting it in your paper:

  1. Provide an in-text citation. Use the citation format of the source where the image is found. (e.g., if you find the image on a website, use the in-text citation of a website). 
  2. Cite the image in your Reference List. Use the citation format of the source where the image is found. (e.g., if you find the image on a website, cite the website). 
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