How to reference a report in Harvard
A report reference in Harvard has 7 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: (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 7 parts
Author (Year) Title. Place: Publisher. Available at: Web address (Accessed: date accessed).
2 · DATE(2024)3 · TITLEStudent wellbeing survey 2024. 4 · PLACELondon: 5 · PUBLISHERCampus Health Trust. Available at: 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 7 · ACCESSED14 October 2026).
- 2 · DateThe year. In round brackets.On the cover or the first pages.
- 3 · TitleIn italics.On the cover.
- 4 · PlaceAs the source gives it.On the first pages, near the publisher.
- 5 · PublisherAs the source gives it.Who published it, often the same organisation.
- 6 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available at:”.The report’s own page or PDF.
- 7 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 14 October 2026. After “Accessed:”. All in round brackets.The day you read it.
Two places, one source
Many students say exam stress affects their sleep (Campus Health Trust, 2024).
The author and the year, in brackets.Campus Health Trust (2024) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.Build your reference
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 (2024). London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Student wellbeing survey 2024, 2024)
No date
Write “no date” where the date goes.
Campus Health Trust (no date) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Campus Health Trust, no date)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Green, A. and Patel, R. (2024) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Green and Patel, 2024)
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.
Green, A. et al. (2024) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
In your essay: (Green et al., 2024)
Easy to get wrong
A web address in your essay
NOT QUITEMany students say exam stress affects their sleep (www.example.org).
RIGHTMany students say exam stress affects their sleep (Campus Health Trust, 2024).
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITECampus Health Trust (2024) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024.
RIGHTCampus Health Trust (2024) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
The title not in italics
NOT QUITECampus Health Trust (2024) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
RIGHTCampus Health Trust (2024) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
Check your university’s version
Harvard isn’t one fixed style. Universities change small things, like brackets, full stops and “Accessed” or “Viewed”. This guide follows Cite Them Right. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows Cite Them Right (12th edition), the Harvard many UK universities teach.
Questions
How do I cite a report in the text?
Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Campus Health Trust, 2024). To point to one place in it: (Campus Health Trust, 2024, p. 12)
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how Harvard sets it out: Campus Health Trust (no date) Student wellbeing survey 2024. London: Campus Health Trust. Available at: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024 (Accessed: 14 October 2026).
Is Harvard the same at every university?
Harvard isn’t one fixed style. Universities change small things, like brackets, full stops and “Accessed” or “Viewed”. This guide follows Cite Them Right. Your module 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.