> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/knowledge-base/145-using-bibliographies-on-overleaf.md).

# Using bibliographies on Overleaf

## Introduction

It's possible to include references in Overleaf using all of LaTeX's major bibliography management programs: biblatex, natbib and bibtex. This article explains how to:

* manually create a new `.bib` file for storing your bibliography database
* upload an existing `.bib` file into your Overleaf project
* create a `.bib` file starting from an Overleaf template.

**Note**: Users with a paid account can access premium features that allow them to link [Mendeley](/latex/knowledge-base/070-how-to-link-mendeley-to-your-overleaf-account.md), [Zotero](/latex/knowledge-base/073-how-to-link-zotero-to-your-overleaf-account.md), and [Papers](/latex/knowledge-base/071-how-to-link-papers-to-your-overleaf-account.md) to their Overleaf account. By connecting these reference managers, you can easily create `.bib` files by bulk-importing reference libraries or using [advanced search](/latex/knowledge-base/076-how-to-search-for-references-in-an-overleaf-project.md) to find and import individual references.

## Creating your bibliography database

To create a new bibliography file in your Overleaf project, in the editor, click **New File** icon:

![Biblio1OLV2.png](/files/hHgKJnMrQW35F8J2A9pd)

An input box will appear for you to set the name of the new file. The file should have the `.bib` extension, in this example it is called `mybibliography.bib`. Now click on **Create**.

![Biblio2OLV2.png](/files/PWNzW2z96J4dZkDe2CxL)

A new file will be listed in the left panel, click it to edit its contents. Add your bibliography entries there. ![Biblio3OLV2.png](/files/5QbD9JP15xAXW1eixwWB)

Now you can import this `.bib` file in the main `.tex` file. See the next example.

```latex
\documentclass{article}

\usepackage[
backend=biber,
style=alphabetic,
sorting=ynt
]{biblatex}

\addbibresource{mybibliography.bib}

\title{Bibliography management: \texttt{biblatex} package}
\author{Share\LaTeX}
\date{ }

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\section{First section}

Using \texttt{biblatex} you can display bibliography divided into sections,
depending of citation type.
Let's cite! The Einstein's journal paper \cite{einstein} and the Dirac's
book \cite{dirac} are physics related items.
Next, \textit{The \LaTeX\ Companion} book \cite{latexcompanion}, the
Donald Knuth's website \cite{knuthwebsite}, \textit{The Comprehensive
Tex Archive Network} (CTAN) \cite{ctan} are \LaTeX\ related items; but
the others Donald Knuth's items \cite{knuth-fa,knuth-acp} are dedicated
to programming.

\medskip

\printbibliography
\end{document}
```

![Biblio4OLV2.png](/files/T66njmYNZviQkHEpJqEn)

![Biblio5OLV2.png](/files/VGilPFjy7YmwDOMg1ZVB)

The command `\addbibresource{mybibliography.bib}` adds the created bibliography file to the document so you can use those references. See [Bibliography management in LaTeX](/latex/more-topics/05-bibliography-management-in-latex.md) for more information about bibliography management.

## Uploading your bibliography database

If you already have a bibliography file that you need to use in a Overleaf project, you can upload it. Click the **Upload** icon located on top of the left panel.

![Biblio6OLV2.png](/files/l0oF6FPs5LTzZylGPvxw)

A dialog box will appear, you can either drag and drop the `.bib` file(s), or choose **select from your computer** to upload file(s) from your device.

![Biblio7OLV2.png](/files/88DsAzRbARphtmNdMKEX)

Once the upload process is finished you can include the `.bib` file in your main `.tex` document.

## Using a template

The [Overleaf Gallery](https://www.overleaf.com/gallery) provides a large collection of templates, including several [bibliography-related](https://www.overleaf.com/gallery?addsearch=Bibliographies) templates:

![Biblio8OLV2.png](/files/OUToUnx7OcWxDNXMSNb0)

For example, a Gallery search lists the entry [Multiple bibliographies with bibunits](https://www.overleaf.com/latex/examples/multiple-bibliographies-with-bibunits/ktgbztpwjnpb) which shows how to create multiple bibliographies/reference lists in the same document:

![Biblio9OLV2.png](/files/mAqf7hLdPi3M3M9OL9oa)

If you select "Open as Template" Overleaf will create a new project which you can modify and use as a basis for your work:

![Biblio10OLV2.png](/files/Wbq9LKKnY38mWZHqMZU6)

## Supported bibliography packages

For more information about bibliography management in LaTeX see.

* [Bibliography management in LaTeX (using biblatex)](/latex/more-topics/05-bibliography-management-in-latex.md)
* [Bibliography management with natbib](/latex/references-and-citations/02-bibliography-management-with-natbib.md)
* [Bibliography management with bibtex](/latex/references-and-citations/01-bibliography-management-with-bibtex.md)


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