# Adding citations and references

This page explains Overleaf’s features for searching references within your project’s `.bib` files and reference managers linked to premium accounts. To learn how to link reference managers to your Overleaf account, visit our articles on [Mendeley](https://docs.overleaf.com/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/mendeley), [Zotero](https://docs.overleaf.com/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/zotero), and [Papers](https://docs.overleaf.com/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/papers).

## How can Overleaf help to find and cite references?

Overleaf provides two styles of search to streamline finding and citing references:

* [Simple search](https://docs.overleaf.com/citing-and-references/adding-citations-and-references/searching-for-references#how-to-use-simple-search): available to all users, simple search lets you browse and filter a list of the citation keys contained in your project’s `.bib` file(s).
* [Advanced reference search](https://docs.overleaf.com/citing-and-references/adding-citations-and-references/configuring-advanced-reference-search): available to premium accounts via the Overleaf Menu option [Reference search](#how-to-select-a-reference-search-style-premium-feature). It generates a list of references by searching your project’s `.bib` files and reference managers linked to your account.

Both search methods rely on Overleaf’s auto-completion to recognize citation commands as you type. Ensure auto-complete is enabled, or reference searching won’t work.

## How to enable Overleaf’s auto-complete

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Select **Settings**.

<div align="right"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F3o0WdNKpAzS4XHYbOALk%2FSettings-Dark-NewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=dd13e042-4594-4ae0-a4fb-dbc8a12eaf0b" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FiCL8H3rZYqo737dNuZkb%2FSettings-Light-NewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fddfd9c1-0db2-4dc0-b217-b19eb4a3e9cc" alt="Image of the Settings icon in the bottom-left corner of the editor" width="188"></picture><figcaption><p>Option 1: Gear icon</p></figcaption></figure></div>

<div align="left"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F8DhtZJqY5ebYXAIKNN6f%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b17c7762-98ab-4d17-b0e1-88a9aec2ca9b" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FxhX2Svoz99YC8ZdWDjMB%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3dbe3dcc-5b6f-4687-ab97-4af2c527d8c8" alt="Image of the Settings option in the File menu" width="188"></picture><figcaption><p>Option 2: File menu</p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Browse to **Editor** > **Auto-complete**, and ensure the toggle is set to enabled.

<figure><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FxNVYqX74IxCItPgTOpzY%2FScreenshot%202025-11-26%20at%2010.59.10%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9e789422-a3c7-4dce-a63f-4a447a42652b" alt="Image showing how to configure Overleaf&#x27;s autocomplete feature" width="563"><figcaption><p>Overleaf's auto-complete setting</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## How to select a reference search style (premium feature)

Premium accounts can configure their projects to use **simple search** or **advanced reference search** via the **Reference search** option in the main **Overleaf Menu**.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Select **Settings**.

<div align="right"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F3o0WdNKpAzS4XHYbOALk%2FSettings-Dark-NewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=dd13e042-4594-4ae0-a4fb-dbc8a12eaf0b" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FiCL8H3rZYqo737dNuZkb%2FSettings-Light-NewEditor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fddfd9c1-0db2-4dc0-b217-b19eb4a3e9cc" alt="Image of the Settings icon in the bottom-left corner of the editor" width="188"></picture><figcaption><p>Option 1: Gear icon</p></figcaption></figure></div>

<div align="left"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F8DhtZJqY5ebYXAIKNN6f%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b17c7762-98ab-4d17-b0e1-88a9aec2ca9b" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FxhX2Svoz99YC8ZdWDjMB%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3dbe3dcc-5b6f-4687-ab97-4af2c527d8c8" alt="Image of the Settings option in the File menu" width="188"></picture><figcaption><p>Option 2: File menu</p></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Browse to **Editor** > **Reference search**.

<figure><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2FnK6BsLerpzBOXGY2ybUe%2FScreenshot%202025-11-26%20at%2011.06.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2a12785a-4a4d-4ba1-bc16-fbfc280f5235" alt="Image of Overleaf&#x27;s reference search settings" width="563"><figcaption><p>Overleaf's reference search settings</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select the Settings button to display the **Reference search settings** modal.

<figure><img src="https://3502988919-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVetOkhFZmAC8QCQK0Pi7%2Fuploads%2F1gfUEYcaecLvbENrFmkp%2FScreenshot%202025-11-26%20at%2011.13.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=09d6e979-a65a-47ff-915c-a09f1dd56e50" alt="Image of Overleaf&#x27;s Reference search settings modal" width="563"><figcaption><p>Overleaf's Reference search settings modal use to configure your search preferences</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Use the drop-down menu to select your preferred **Reference search style**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Further reading

If you’d like to further explore topics related to using bibliographies in LaTeX, the following Overleaf articles may be of interest:

* [How to link Mendeley to your Overleaf account](https://docs.overleaf.com/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/mendeley#how-to-link-mendeley-to-your-overleaf-account)
* [How to link Zotero to your Overleaf account](https://docs.overleaf.com/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/zotero#how-to-link-zotero-to-your-overleaf-account)
* [How to link Papers to your Overleaf account](https://docs.overleaf.com/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/papers#how-to-link-papers-to-your-overleaf-account)
* [Creating and Managing Bibliographies with BibTeX on Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/blog/532-creating-and-managing-bibliographies-with-bibtex-on-overleaf)
* [Using bibliographies on Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/learn/how-to/Using_bibliographies_on_Overleaf)
* [Bibliography management in LaTeX](https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Bibliography_management_in_LaTeX)