How to reference a report in IEEE

A report reference in IEEE has 7 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.

  • In your essay: A number, like [1]
  • 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

[1] Author, “Title,” Publisher, Place, Year. Accessed: date accessed. [Online]. Available: Web address

The example reference, with each part labelled

[1] 1 · AUTHORCampus Health Trust, 2 · TITLE“Student wellbeing survey 2024,”3 · PUBLISHERCampus Health Trust, 4 · PLACELondon, U.K., 5 · DATE2024. Accessed: 6 · ACCESSEDOct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: 7 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

  1. 1 · AuthorThe organisation’s name, as it gives it.The organisation, or the people, who wrote it: on the cover or the first pages.
  2. 2 · TitleIn double quotation marks.On the cover.
  3. 3 · PublisherAs the source gives it.Who published it, often the same organisation.
  4. 4 · PlaceAs the source gives it.On the first pages, near the publisher.
  5. 5 · DateThe year.On the cover or the first pages.
  6. 6 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: Oct. 14, 2026. After “Accessed:”.The day you read it.
  7. 7 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available:”.The report’s own page or PDF.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

Many students say exam stress affects their sleep [1].

The source’s number.
IN YOUR REFERENCE LIST

[1] Campus Health Trust, “Student wellbeing survey 2024,” Campus Health Trust, London, U.K., 2024. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

The full reference, in the order you first cited each source.

Build your reference

Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.

Surname, then first name. Separate people with a semicolon (;).
Like 2025, May 2025 or 5 May 2025.
Like 14 October 2026.
Optional.
YOUR REFERENCE LIST ENTRYReady to copy

[1] Campus Health Trust, “Student wellbeing survey 2024,” Campus Health Trust, London, U.K., 2024. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

IN YOUR ESSAY

[1]

Pip tip: the formatting stays when you paste into Word or Google Docs. If it doesn’t, select it and press Ctrl+I.

What if…

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “and”.

    [1] A. Green and R. Patel, “Student wellbeing survey 2024,” Campus Health Trust, London, U.K., 2024. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

    In your essay: [1]

  • Four or more authors

    Name all four in the reference list.

    [1] A. Green, R. Patel, D. Okafor, and H. Lee, “Student wellbeing survey 2024,” Campus Health Trust, London, U.K., 2024. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

    In your essay: [1]

Easy to get wrong

  • Leaving out the date you looked at it

    NOT QUITE

    [1] Campus Health Trust, “Student wellbeing survey 2024,” Campus Health Trust, London, U.K., 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

    RIGHT

    [1] Campus Health Trust, “Student wellbeing survey 2024,” Campus Health Trust, London, U.K., 2024. Accessed: Oct. 14, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

Check your university’s version

Some departments make small changes to IEEE. Your course handbook always wins.

This guide follows the IEEE Reference Guide (2023).

The full IEEE guide

Questions

How do I cite a report in the text?

Use the number the source has in your list: [1]. The list is in the order you first cite each source, so the first source you cite is 1. To point to one place in it: [1, p. 12]

Is IEEE the same at every university?

Some departments make small changes to IEEE. 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.

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