How to reference a report in Chicago
A report footnote in Chicago has 5 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A footnote, or (Author year)
- Checked 21 October 2026
Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.
The 5 parts
Author, Title (Publisher, Year), Web address.
, 2 · TITLEStudent Wellbeing Survey 2024 (3 · PUBLISHERCampus Health Trust, 4 · DATE2024), 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
- 2 · TitleCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In italics.On the cover.
- 3 · PublisherAs the source gives it.Who published it, often the same organisation.
- 4 · DateThe year.On the cover or the first pages.
- 5 · Web addressThe full web address.The report’s own page or PDF.
In your bibliography
The bibliography at the end gives the same source like this, with the surname first:
. 2 · TITLEStudent Wellbeing Survey 2024. 3 · PUBLISHERCampus Health Trust, 4 · DATE2024. 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
Two places, one source
Many students say exam stress affects their sleep.1
A footnote number, after the full stop.1 Campus Health Trust, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
The footnote gives the full details, at the bottom of the page.Using Chicago author-date instead?
Some courses use Chicago’s other form: the author and year in brackets in your text, and a reference list at the end. Here’s the same report:
. 2 · DATE2024. 3 · TITLEStudent Wellbeing Survey 2024. 4 · PUBLISHERCampus Health Trust. 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
In your essay: Many students say exam stress affects their sleep (Campus Health Trust 2024).
Build your footnote
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
No author
Start with the title instead.
Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
No date
Write “n.d.” where the date goes. And add the date you looked at it, after “accessed”.
Campus Health Trust, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, n.d.), accessed October 14, 2026, https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Amara Green and Ravi Patel, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”.
Amara Green et al., Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
Easy to get wrong
The title not in italics
NOT QUITECampus Health Trust, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
RIGHTCampus Health Trust, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
Check your university’s version
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition, in both its forms: notes and bibliography, and author-date.
Questions
What goes in the footnote?
The first time you cite it, the footnote gives the full details: Campus Health Trust, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024. To point to one place in it, add that at the end: Campus Health Trust, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, 2024), 12, https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how Chicago sets it out: Campus Health Trust, Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 (Campus Health Trust, n.d.), accessed October 14, 2026, https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
Is Chicago the same at every university?
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
Skip the typing next time
In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.
These guides and KanBananza’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with KanBananza and don’t endorse it. See our terms.