> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.overleaf.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.overleaf.com/citing-and-references/working-with-.bib-files.md).
# Working with .bib files
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
{% hint style="success" %}
Users of Overleaf Premium can access features that allow them to link [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) to their Overleaf account. By connecting these reference managers, you can easily create `.bib` files by bulk-importing reference libraries or using [advanced search](/citing-and-references/adding-citations-and-references.md) to find and import individual references.
{% endhint %}
## Creating your bibliography database
To create a new bibliography file in your Overleaf project, in the editor, click the **New File** icon:
An input box will appear for you to enter the name of the new file. The file should have the `.bib` extension. In this example it is called `mybibliography.bib`. Now click **Create**.
A new file will be listed in the left panel. Click it to edit its contents. Add your bibliography entries there.
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 on 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}
```
The command `\addbibresource{mybibliography.bib}` adds the created bibliography file to the document so you can use those references. See [Bibliography management in LaTeX](https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Bibliography_management_in_LaTeX) for more information about bibliography management.
## Uploading your bibliography database
If you already have a bibliography file that you need to use in an Overleaf project, you can upload it. Click the **Upload** icon located on top of the left panel.
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.
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:
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:
If you select **Open as Template**, Overleaf will create a new project which you can modify and use as a basis for your work:
## \[New Terminology] .bib support
Use the \[New Terminology] to check a file for...
* missing citations
* redundant citations
* unused citations
## Supported bibliography management systems
For more information about bibliography management in LaTeX see:
* [Bibliography management in LaTeX (using biblatex)](https://learn.overleaf.com/learn/Bibliography_management_in_LaTeX)
* [Bibliography management with natbib](https://learn.overleaf.com/learn/Bibliography_management_with_natbib)
* [Bibliography management with bibtex](https://learn.overleaf.com/learn/Bibliography_management_with_bibtex)
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.overleaf.com/citing-and-references/working-with-.bib-files.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
