Vancouver in-text citation guide
Vancouver in-text citations are numbers in round brackets, e.g. (1), or superscripts, depending on the journal or university. Numbers follow the order of first citation, and a source keeps its number throughout.
| Situation | Vancouver in-text |
|---|---|
| One source | as reported (1). |
| Several sources | (1,3,7) |
| A range | (2–5) |
| Superscript form | as reported.¹ |
| Naming the author | Horby et al. (2) found… |
| A page | (3 p12) |
Make the Vancouver reference that goes with it
Paste a DOI, or type the details. The in-text marker appears under the reference.
VANC
RECOVERY Collaborative Group. Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19. N Engl J Med. 2021 Feb 25;384(8):693-704. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2021436
In-text
(1)Questions about Vancouver in-text citations
Brackets or superscript in Vancouver?
Both are correct. ICMJE allows either; follow your journal or course guide, and be consistent.
How do I cite several sources at once in Vancouver?
Separate them with commas, and use a dash for a run of three or more: (1,3,5–8).
Do I put the author’s name in the text?
You can, but the number is still needed: “Horby et al. (2) found…”.