Harvard Referencing · Screenshot
How to Cite A Screenshot in Harvard Edition
Harvard author–date referencing cites a screenshot with the creator and year in the text, then a reference-list entry that typically includes Available at: and an Accessed date for online sources. Screenshot citations must name the software or site you captured—and the version, when the UI is version-specific.
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Harvard
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Harvard formula for a screenshot
Creator, A.A. (Year) Title of image [Screenshot]. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Italics: Italicize the image title; place the medium in square brackets in roman type. Year position: In parentheses immediately after the creator name.
Worked example
In-text citation
(Figma, 2026)
Template: (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year)
Figure caption
Figure 1 Figma (2026) Auto layout panel in Figma [Screenshot]. Available at: https://www.figma.com/
Special rules for screenshots
- Name the application or site shown and the version or build if your instructor requires it.
- Describe what the screenshot depicts in the title or bracketed description.
- Include the date you captured the screen when the interface changes frequently.
Source of truth: The software, app, or website captured, including product name and version when known.
Common mistakes
- Citing the screenshot as a generic “image” with no software context.
- Leaving out version numbers for desktop apps when the UI is version-specific.
- Using a cropped UI without explaining which product screen it shows.
FAQ
How do you cite a screenshot in Harvard?
Build one Harvard reference from creator → date → title → “Screenshot” → host. Then paste the finished string into your reference list; do not leave the format field blank or point to a search-results URL.
What is the in-text citation for a screenshot in Harvard?
Match the creator spelling used in the reference entry and apply (Creator, Year) or Creator (Year). If the screenshot is labeled as a numbered figure in the paper, add that figure number only where your instructor’s Harvard handout allows.
Do I need a figure caption when I include a screenshot in my paper (Harvard)?
Only if you reprint the visual. A mention in prose needs in-text + reference list; a reproduced screenshot also needs a numbered caption so readers can connect the picture on the page to the bibliography entry.
Where should I look for source details for a screenshot?
Start on the object or article page that displays the screenshot, then read the credit line, about panel, or download metadata. Skip aggregator cards and thumbnail feeds—they rarely carry a citable creator or permanent link.
What is a common mistake when citing screenshots in Harvard?
Students often citing the screenshot as a generic “image” with no software context. Another frequent miss: treating a cropped social share as the publisher of record.
How is citing a screenshot different from citing a generic online photo in Harvard?
A generic photo citation can stop at photographer + site + URL. For screenshots, you also have to capture name the application or site shown and the version or build if your instructor requires it. That extra field is what keeps the entry recoverable.