Are Database Titles Italicized?
Purdue OWL’s MLA guidance treats an online database used as a container in a Works Cited entry as an italicized container title. The guide keeps that citation context distinct from ordinary interface labels or database fields.
Yes in MLA Works Cited entries when the database is functioning as the container: italicize the database name.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
This rule is specific to the database name acting as a citation container. It does not mean every database-related label, field, search page, or product UI string should be italicized in ordinary prose.
Further guidance
Recommendation
When citing a work retrieved through an online database in MLA style, treat the database name as a container title and italicize it.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- MLA Works Cited: Electronic Sources (opens in a new tab)Purdue Online Writing Lab, Purdue University · Current Purdue OWL MLA guidance treating online database names as italicized containers in Works Cited entries