Items in a reference list should always be accessible to researchers who want to read the original text for themselves.

That accessibility is the principle behind all the information provided about its author, date, title and source — and the date it was accessed. But what happens if the item is not guaranteed to remain accessible online?

Researchers should always save a PDF of the internet items they refer to. Then, if challenged, they can provide a hard copy as proof of what they are citing.

Essential print settings

But one essential bit of proof is often missing: the original URL and the date of access. These are only available if the researcher uses their Print to PDF function (Ctrl+p) with the ‘Headers and footers’ option ticked under ‘More settings’. See the before and after effects in the print previews in the screenshots below.

Before

Print preview of the document without headers and footers

After

Print preview of the document with the URL and access date in its headers and footers

Published 21 June 2026

155 words