Three Scenarios

How you handle graph citation depends on what you're doing:

Reproducing: Copying a graph exactly as it appeared in the source.

Adapting: Modifying a graph (new colors, simplified elements, combined data).

Creating from data: Making your own graph using data from a cited source.

Each requires different attribution approaches.

Reproducing a Graph Exactly

When you copy a graph directly from another source:

1. Get permission from the copyright holder (often required for publication)

2. Include a figure number and caption

3. Add a source note with full citation

4. Include "Reprinted from" or "From" to indicate it's reproduced

APA format:

Figure 1

Title of Graph

[Graph appears here]

Note. From "Article Title," by A. Author, Year, Journal Name, Volume(Issue), p. xx (DOI or URL). Copyright Year by Publisher Name. Reprinted with permission.

MLA format:

Fig. 1. Title of Graph; source: Author, "Article Title," Journal Name vol. xx, no. xx, Year, p. xx.

Adapting a Graph

When you modify a graph (changing colors, combining elements, simplifying):

Use "Adapted from" instead of "From" or "Reprinted from":

Note. Adapted from "Article Title," by A. Author, Year, Journal Name, Volume(Issue), p. xx.

Describe your modifications if they're significant:

Note. Adapted from Author (Year). Data for 2023-2024 added by present author.

Creating Your Own Graph From Published Data

When you make your own visualization using data from another source:

You don't need "Reprinted" or "Adapted"—you cite the data source:

Note. Data from Author (Year).

Or in the caption:

Figure 1. Unemployment rates, 2010-2024. Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

This is the most common scenario for student papers.

Figure Numbering and Placement

Figures are numbered sequentially: Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.

Placement varies by style:

• APA: Figures can appear in text or at the end

• MLA: Figures typically appear in text near first mention

• Chicago: Depends on publication requirements

Reference figures in your text: "As shown in Figure 1..." or "(see Figure 2)."

Citing Graphs You Only Discuss

If you're referencing a graph without reproducing it:

Author's (Year) analysis showed a sharp decline (see Figure 3, p. 45).

Or:

The graph in Smith (2024, p. 45) demonstrates the trend clearly.

You don't need special figure formatting if you're not including the actual graph.

Tables vs. Figures

Most styles distinguish tables (rows and columns of data) from figures (graphs, charts, images).

Tables: Labeled "Table 1," "Table 2," etc. Source note often goes below.

Figures: Labeled "Figure 1," "Figure 2," etc. (or "Fig." in some styles).

Check your style guide—formatting conventions differ.

Copyright and Permission

For class papers, reproducing graphs is usually covered by educational fair use.

For publication, you typically need permission to reproduce copyrighted figures exactly—even with citation.

Permission often required for:

• Journal articles

• Publishing thesis/dissertation

• Commercial publication

May not need permission for:

• Class assignments

• Graphs you create from data

• Heavily adapted visualizations

• Government publications (usually public domain)

When in doubt, contact the copyright holder or publisher.

Multiple Graphs From Same Source

If using several graphs from one source:

Figures 1-3 from Smith (2024), reprinted with permission.

Or cite each individually if they need separate notes.

Screenshots of Data Visualizations

Screenshots of interactive visualizations or dashboards:

Note. Screenshot from [Source], accessed March 15, 2024. URL

Note that interactive elements won't be captured.

Graphs From Datasets

When graphing data from a published dataset:

Note. Data from World Bank Open Data (2024). https://data.worldbank.org

Credit the dataset, not an article about the data (unless you're citing the article's analysis).

The exact formatting for figure citations depends on your required citation style. Check the specific guide for your discipline below.