How to reference a report in Vancouver

A report reference in Vancouver 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 [Internet]. Place: Publisher; Year [cited date accessed]. Available from: Web address

The example reference, with each part labelled

1. 1 · AUTHORCampus Health Trust. 2 · TITLEStudent wellbeing survey 2024 [Internet]. 3 · PLACELondon: 4 · PUBLISHERCampus Health Trust; 5 · DATE2024 [cited 6 · ACCESSED2026 Oct 14]. Available from: 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 · TitleThen “[Internet]”.On the cover.
  3. 3 · PlaceAs the source gives it.On the first pages, near the publisher.
  4. 4 · PublisherAs the source gives it.Who published it, often the same organisation.
  5. 5 · DateThe year.On the cover or the first pages.
  6. 6 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 2026 Oct 14. After “cited”. All in square brackets.The day you read it.
  7. 7 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available from:”.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 [Internet]. London: Campus Health Trust; 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: 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 [Internet]. London: Campus Health Trust; 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: 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, with a comma between them.

    1. Green A, Patel R. Student wellbeing survey 2024 [Internet]. London: Campus Health Trust; 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

    In your essay: (1)

  • Four or more authors

    Name all four in the reference list.

    1. Green A, Patel R, Okafor D, Lee H. Student wellbeing survey 2024 [Internet]. London: Campus Health Trust; 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: 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 [Internet]. London: Campus Health Trust; 2024. Available from: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

    RIGHT

    1. Campus Health Trust. Student wellbeing survey 2024 [Internet]. London: Campus Health Trust; 2024 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://www.example.org/wellbeing-survey-2024

Check your university’s version

Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. Your module handbook always wins.

This guide follows Citing Medicine (2nd edition), the US National Library of Medicine’s guide to Vancouver style.

The full Vancouver 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)

Is Vancouver the same at every university?

Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. 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.

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