# Reference Management

## Overview

A [reference management](https://www.labii.com/reference-management) is a tool used by researchers to organize and manage their references for research papers, theses, and other scholarly works. It enables users to import references from different sources such as databases, libraries, and search engines, and create bibliographies in various citation styles.

In Labii, you can easily configure a powerful reference manager by using widgets such as [API](https://docs.labii.com/widgets/column-widgets/advanced#api) and PubMed. Labii's reference manager automatically extracts relevant information from articles and populates fields like author names, publication dates, and journal titles. In addition to saving researchers time, Labii reference manager also ensures the correct entry of references.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/WyLa4JUEknU>" %}

## Requirements

In order to use the **Reference Management** in Labii, you must first install the [Reference Management](https://www.labii.com/reference-management) application or tasks table. If Reference Management application is selected when creating the account, then this step can be skipped.

1. Select Applications from **Settings -> Applications**
2. Click **Add application** and select **Add from a template**
3. Choose **Reference Management** from the pop-out modal. A lack of such an option indicates that you have already installed it.

Following the configuration, you should have the following tables installed:

* papers

## Create paper

Just like with all other Labii records, you can add a new paper from the side menu or from the paper list view. Only the PMID is required.

If you want to batch import all PMIDs, you can use the [import function](https://docs.labii.com/user-guide/list-view/import).

* **Name**
* **Description**
* **PMID**
* **Journal**
* **Volume**
* **Issue**
* **Pages**
* **Authors**
* **DOI**
* **Full Text Link**
* **Is Read**

## **Sync fields from PubMed**

Users can automatically pull data from PubMed and other databases with Labii's API widget, reducing the time it takes to create references.

To do that, click the **GET** button next to the PMID field.

<figure><img src="https://www.labii.com/media/labii-reference-management-api.webp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Sync abstract from PubMed

Labii will automatically download an abstract from PubMed when a paper is opened. No further action is required.

If you have changed the PMID and need to pull down the correct abstract, click the **Update abstract** button.

<figure><img src="https://www.labii.com/media/labii-reference-management-abstract.webp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Attach full text PDF

Researchers can attach full-text documents to their articles using Labii's [Files widget](https://docs.labii.com/widgets/section-widgets/office/file).

<figure><img src="https://www.labii.com/media/labii-reference-management-fulltext.webp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Taking notes

Labii's reference management feature includes a notes function that allows users to take notes directly within their references.

<figure><img src="https://www.labii.com/media/labii-reference-management-notes.webp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>