# 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](/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/mendeley.md), [Zotero](/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/zotero.md), and [Papers](/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/papers.md).

## 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="center"><figure><picture><source srcset="/files/67mhFzK1NrR7dyynzNhG" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/Ld9oaos3kHcoAABg1Q4J" 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="center"><figure><picture><source srcset="/files/NdmiBW31Wt39gLzqFXxj" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/HIFX0hn5PZBjsNP9mGzP" alt="Settings option in File menu in the Overleaf editor" width="242"></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="/files/Bq0IOtq7mPFkntL2O22t" 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="center"><figure><picture><source srcset="/files/67mhFzK1NrR7dyynzNhG" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/Ld9oaos3kHcoAABg1Q4J" 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="center"><figure><picture><source srcset="/files/NdmiBW31Wt39gLzqFXxj" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/HIFX0hn5PZBjsNP9mGzP" alt="Settings option in File menu in the Overleaf editor" width="242"></picture><figcaption><p>Option 2: File menu</p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% endstep %}

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

<figure><img src="/files/TCZm4xhIL6pGwJGqUN0J" 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="/files/2Jr4N2XbsDM7iIwhnNg5" alt="Image of Overleaf&#x27;s Reference search settings modal" width="563"><figcaption><p>Overleaf's Reference search settings modal used 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](/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/mendeley.md#how-to-link-mendeley-to-your-overleaf-account)
* [How to link Zotero to your Overleaf account](/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/zotero.md#how-to-link-zotero-to-your-overleaf-account)
* [How to link Papers to your Overleaf account](/integrations-and-add-ons/reference-manager-integrations/papers.md#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)


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Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
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```

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