Add sources to your library

There are several ways to add a source to your library, and all of them are free. The quickest is to cite it: every source you cite is saved for you.

Add a source by title, DOI or link

1. Open your Library from the left sidebar.
2. Click Add.
3. In the Citation finder, type a title or keywords, or paste a DOI, ISBN, link or full reference.
4. Choose Save on the result you want.

You can also click Citation finder in the left sidebar to search and save in the same way. See Search for papers with the Citation finder.

If the source can’t be found, choose Add manually and type its details. See Add a source by hand or a placeholder.

Upload PDFs

Click Upload PDF in the library and choose one or more PDF files, or drag them onto the library. Writing Studio reads each one and fills in its details. See Upload PDFs.

Import a BibTeX or RIS file

Click Import and choose a .bib or .ris file, or drop it onto the library. This is how you bring in references from Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote and other reference managers. See Import or export BibTeX and RIS.

Cite as you write

Every source you cite is saved to your library automatically:

• When you cite with @. See Cite a source with @.
• When you paste a DOI and choose Paste as citation. See Paste a DOI or other ID.
• When you insert a citation from the Cite tab. See Find sources for a sentence.

Some AI tools add sources too. The chat offers Save to library on papers it finds, and autocomplete saves the papers it cites.

Choose where new sources go

In the Citation finder, the Save to menu at the bottom decides where saved sources go: Library only, one of your courses or collections, or a new one. After a save, a message says where it went, with Change to move it.

PDFs and files you upload or import while you are looking at a course or collection go into that course or collection.

Duplicates are merged

You never get two copies of the same work by adding it again. If a source has the same DOI, or the same title, first author and year as one you have, Writing Studio merges the new details into your existing copy.

Sources that are close but not identical can still slip through. The library points these out so you can merge them. See Find and merge duplicate sources.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I add a source I already have?

It isn't added twice. If it has the same DOI, or the same title, first author and year, the details you add are merged into the copy you already have.

Does adding sources cost anything?

No. Searching, saving, uploading PDFs and importing BibTeX or RIS files are free on every plan, with unlimited sources.

Can I add a source to a course as I save it?

Yes. In the Citation finder, set Save to at the bottom to a course or collection. Sources you upload or import while looking at a course or collection go into it too.

Where to go next

Get to know your libraryYour library holds every source you save, cite or upload. Open it, move between its places, search it, sort it and see how each source stands.Search for papers with the Citation finderSearch about 250 million scholarly works by title, keywords, DOI or question, filter the results, and save what you find to your library.Upload PDFsUpload PDFs to your library to read, quote and cite them with page numbers. Writing Studio reads each file and fills in its details for you.Import or export BibTeX and RISBring references in from Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote or any reference manager with a BibTeX or RIS file, and export yours the same way.

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