---
name: "jabref"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "jabref"
version: "3.8.2+ds-17"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/jabref"
---

# jabref(1)

graphical frontend to manage BibTeX databases

## NAME

JabRef - graphical frontend to manage BibTeX databases

## SYNOPSIS

**jabref \[OPTIONS\] \[BIBTEX\_FILE\]**

## DESCRIPTION

**JabRef** is a graphical Java application for editing bibtex (.bib) databases. JabRef lets you organize your entries into overlapping logical groups, and with a single click limit your view to a single group or an intersection or union of several groups. You can customize the entry information shown in the main window, and sort by any of the standard Bibtex fields. JabRef can autogenerate bibtex keys for your entries. JabRef also lets you easily link to PDF or web sources for your reference entries.\
 JabRef can import from and export to several formats, and you can customize export filters. JabRef can be run as a command line application to convert from any import format to any export format.

## OPTIONS

- **-a**, --aux \<FILE\>

  Subdatabase from AUX: file\[.aux\],new\[.bib\]

- **-asfl**, --automaticallySetFileLinks

  Automatically set file links

- **-b**, --blank

  Do not open any files at startup

- **-d**, --prdef \<FILE\>

  Reset preferences (key1,key2,... or 'all')

- **--debug**

  Show debug level messages

- **-f**, --fetch \<FILE\>

  Run fetcher, e.g. "--fetch=Medline:cancer"

- **-g**, --generateBibtexKeys

  Regenerate all keys for the entries in a BibTeX file

- **-h**, --help

  Display help on command line options

- **-i**, --import \<FILE\>

  Import file: filename\[,import format\]

- **--importToOpen** \<FILE\>

  Import to open tab

- **-m**, --exportMatches \<FILE\>

  \[field\]searchTerm,outputFile: file\[,exportFormat\]

- **-n**, --nogui

  No GUI. Only process command line options.

- **-o**, --output \<FILE\>

  Output or export file: filename\[,export format\]

- **-p**, --primp \<FILE\>

  Import preferences from file

- **-v**, --version

  Display version

- **-x**, --prexp \<FILE\>

  Export preferences to file

### Available import formats:

- BibTeX

  : bibtex

- BibTeXML

  : bibtexml

- Biblioscape

  : biblioscape

- Copac

  : cpc

- INSPEC

  : inspec

- ISI

  : isi

- MSBib

  : msbib

- Medline

  : medline

- MedlinePlain

  : medlineplain

- Ovid

  : ovid

- PDFcontent

  : pdfcontent

- REPEC New Economic Papers (NEP)

  : repecnep

- RIS

  : ris

- Refer/Endnote

  : refer

- SilverPlatter

  : silverplatter

- XMP-annotated PDF

   : xmp

- text citations

   : textcitations

Available export formats: MSBib, bibordf, bibtexml, din1505, docbook, endnote, harvard, html, iso690rtf, iso690txt, listrefs, misq, mods, ods, oocalc, oocsv, ris, simplehtml, tablerefs, tablerefsabsbib

## EXAMPLES

Export a selection of references:

- **jabref -m '(author=bock or title\|keywords="computer methods") and not (author=sager)',output.html,html -n true inputfile.bib**

  - **For information referring to the search function see the documentation for 'advanced search'.**

  - **Custom export formats can be added within the program (options - manage custom exports).**

  ## JAVA-WRAPPERS NOTE

**This program is a shell script wrapper based on** [**java-wrappers**(7)](/java-wrappers/7.md). **You therefore benefit from several features; please see the** [**java-wrappers**(7)](/java-wrappers/7.md) **manual page for more information about them.**

## SEE ALSO

**the included help and commandline help: jabref -h**\
 **https://www.jabref.org/**\
 [**java-wrappers**(7)](/java-wrappers/7.md)