How to Put Reference if There is No Author
When citing a source in an academic or professional document, providing a reference is crucial for giving credit to the original author and ensuring the integrity of the research. However, what if you come across a source that does not have an identifiable author? This can be a challenging situation, but there are still ways to properly reference such a source. In this article, we will discuss how to put a reference when there is no author.
1. Use the Title of the Source
If the source does not have an author, one common approach is to use the title of the source in place of the author’s name. This is particularly effective for online sources, such as web pages or articles without an author. For example, if you are citing an online article titled “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities,” you would write the reference as follows:
“The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities” (n.d.).
Here, “(n.d.)” stands for “no date,” indicating that the source does not have a specific publication date.
2. Include the Publisher or Organization
If the source is published by an organization or a publisher, you can include their name in the reference. This is especially helpful when the source is a report, a journal article, or a book. For instance, if you are citing a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), the reference would look like this:
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Global Health Statistics. Retrieved from
In this case, the publisher’s name is used to identify the source.
3. Use a Corporate Author
If the source is produced by a company or an institution, you can use the corporate author’s name in the reference. For example, if you are citing a research paper published by a university, the reference would be:
University of California, Berkeley. (n.d.). The Role of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Development. Retrieved from
The corporate author’s name is used to provide credit to the organization responsible for the source.
4. Note the Date of Access
When referencing a source without an author, it is essential to include the date of access. This helps readers locate the source and understand when you accessed the information. For example:
“The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.example.com/climate-change-report
In this reference, “(n.d.)” indicates that the source does not have a specific publication date, and the date of access is provided after “Retrieved from.”
5. Follow the Appropriate Citation Style
Lastly, it is crucial to follow the appropriate citation style when referencing a source without an author. Different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard, have specific guidelines for formatting references. Be sure to consult the guidelines of the citation style you are using to ensure your reference is correctly formatted.
In conclusion, when faced with a source that does not have an author, you can still provide a proper reference by using the title, publisher, corporate author, and date of access. Following the appropriate citation style is also essential for maintaining consistency and integrity in your academic or professional work.