bibtex
Process bibliography references for LaTeX documents
TLDR
Generate bibliography
SYNOPSIS
bibtex aux-file
DESCRIPTION
bibtex processes bibliography information for LaTeX documents. It reads .aux files produced by LaTeX, looks up citations in .bib bibliography databases, formats them according to a bibliography style (.bst), and generates a .bbl file that LaTeX includes in the final document.
The tool is essential for academic writing and managing citations in LaTeX.
WORKFLOW
pdflatex document.tex
# 2. Run BibTeX (processes bibliography)
bibtex document
# 3. Run LaTeX twice more (to resolve references)
pdflatex document.tex
pdflatex document.tex
FILES
document.tex
LaTeX source with \cite commandsrefs.bib
Bibliography databasedocument.aux
Auxiliary file (LaTeX output)document.bbl
Formatted bibliography (BibTeX output)document.blg
BibTeX log file
BIBLIOGRAPHY STYLE
Common styles:
- plain - Numeric citations, alphabetical
- alpha - Alpha-numeric citations
- abbrv - Abbreviated names
- unsrt - Unsorted, citation order
- ieeetr - IEEE Transactions style
BIB FORMAT
author = {Author, First},
title = {Article Title},
journal = {Journal Name},
year = {2023},
volume = {10},
pages = {1-20}
}
CAVEATS
Requires multiple LaTeX/BibTeX runs. Error messages can be cryptic. BibTeX syntax strict. Modern alternative: biblatex/biber. Unicode support limited (use biber for full Unicode).
HISTORY
BibTeX was created by Oren Patashnik in 1985 as part of the LaTeX document preparation system to manage bibliographies.