> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.labii.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.labii.com/widgets/section-widgets/reference-manager/pubmed/pubmed-citation.md).

# PubMed Citation

## Specs

| Label                     | Value                         |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| **Version**               | 2.0.0 (updated on 2021-11-24) |
| **Developer**             | Labii Inc.                    |
| **Type**                  | Section                       |
| **Support Configuration** | No                            |

## Overview

The PubMed Citation widget displays citation summaries for one or more papers based on user-provided PubMed IDs. It is designed for records that need quick access to publication references without building a full paper-tracking table or configuring a PMID column. By letting users paste PMIDs directly into the widget, it becomes easy to embed supporting literature in experiments, protocols, reports, and study records while keeping the citation list visible inside Labii.

## Use Cases

* **Protocol References**: Add the key citations that support a protocol or standard operating procedure.
* **Experiment Context**: Display a short list of relevant papers next to methods, observations, or analysis sections.
* **Project Literature Tracking**: Keep a curated citation list for a project milestone, hypothesis, or review section.
* **Teaching and Review Records**: Summarize important publications for training records or journal club notes.
* **Lightweight Literature Embedding**: Show paper references in any record without depending on a dedicated PMID column widget.

## Interface

### Read-only View

In read-only mode, the widget displays the citation summaries generated from the saved list of PMIDs. This is the main viewing experience for readers who want to scan supporting references directly in the record. The section can be placed into experiments, protocols, and other documentation pages so users can review the referenced papers without switching to a separate literature-management workflow.

* **Data Display**: Shows citation summaries for the PMIDs saved in the widget.
* **Navigation**: Keeps supporting references visible alongside the rest of the record content.
* **Export Options**: The widget does not provide a dedicated citation export action.
* **Search/Filter**: Users manage which references appear by editing the PMID list rather than filtering within the displayed results.

<figure><img src="/files/FOcs918ML7GU5HaRlTVu" alt="Placeholder image for the read-only view of the PubMed Citation widget"><figcaption><p>Replace this placeholder with a dedicated PubMed Citation screenshot showing the citation summaries generated from the saved PMID list.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Edit View

In edit mode, users provide one or more PMIDs directly in the widget. PMIDs can be entered as a comma-separated list or with one PMID per line. After the list is submitted, the widget retrieves the corresponding citation summaries and prepares them for display in the read-only view.

* **Input Methods**: Paste PMIDs separated by commas or enter one PMID per line.
* **Formatting Options**: The edit view focuses on entering the PMID list rather than formatting the output.
* **Validation**: The widget expects valid PubMed IDs; incorrect values can prevent one or more citations from being displayed correctly.
* **Collaboration**: Teams can maintain a shared citation list inside the record by updating the saved PMID set as the literature scope changes.

<figure><img src="/files/KZbfUaaiGs7wZJGFDWcO" alt="Placeholder image for the edit view of the PubMed Citation widget"><figcaption><p>Replace this placeholder with a dedicated PubMed Citation edit-view screenshot showing PMID entry as comma-separated values or one PMID per line.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Configuration

The PubMed Citation widget does not require a separate widget settings panel or a PMID column mapping. Configuration is handled by entering the PMIDs directly in the section.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Add the **PubMed Citation** widget to a section in the target record.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Open the widget in **Edit** mode.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Paste the PMIDs as a comma-separated list or enter one PMID per line.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Save the section to generate and display the citation summaries.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Required Settings

* **None**: The widget does not require a mapped PMID column or additional settings panel.

### Optional Settings

* **PMID Entry Format**: Choose the most convenient input style for the citation list, either comma-separated PMIDs or one PMID per line.

{% hint style="info" %}
Unlike the PubMed Abstract widget, PubMed Citation does not rely on a PMID column in the current record. The PMIDs are entered directly in the widget.
{% endhint %}

### Advanced Configuration

For reusable templates, prepare a starter citation list in the widget when the same group of foundational references should appear in every new record.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open the template or reusable record layout that should include standard literature references.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Add the widget and save the initial PMID list so future records inherit the curated citation set.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Additional Functions

### Add Multiple PMIDs

The widget is optimized for displaying several citation summaries in one section, making it practical for protocols, reviews, and experiment records with more than one supporting paper.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open the widget in **Edit** mode.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Paste multiple PMIDs separated by commas, or place each PMID on its own line.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Save the section and review the generated citation list.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Update the Citation List

Users can revise the displayed literature by editing the saved PMIDs whenever the reference set changes.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Reopen the widget in **Edit** mode.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Add, remove, or replace PMIDs in the saved list.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Save the section to refresh the citation summaries shown in read-only mode.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Record-Level Literature Embedding

The widget can be inserted into experiments, protocols, and other records to provide immediate literature context without requiring a dedicated reference table.

### Independent of PMID Columns

Unlike column-driven PubMed workflows, this widget can operate entirely from the PMIDs entered into the section itself, which makes it useful for lightweight citation display scenarios.

## Best Practices

### Citation Quality

* Copy PMIDs directly from PubMed or another trusted source to reduce data entry mistakes.
* Review the saved list after editing so outdated or duplicate PMIDs do not remain in the section.
* Use the widget for concise, curated reference lists rather than very large bibliographies.

### Workflow Design

* Add the widget near protocol steps, result summaries, or discussion sections where the supporting references are most relevant.
* Use one citation widget per topic when records cover multiple literature themes.
* Pair the widget with PubMed Abstract or metadata fields when users need both citation summaries and deeper paper details.

### Maintenance

* Refresh the saved PMID list whenever the recommended literature changes.
* Keep citation lists focused on the most relevant papers to improve readability.
* Standardize how teams enter PMIDs so records remain easy to maintain.

{% hint style="success" %}
The widget works best when it contains a short, carefully curated PMID list that is directly relevant to the surrounding record content.
{% endhint %}

### Common Pitfalls to Avoid

* **Avoid** pasting malformed PMID lists with extra text mixed into the identifiers.
* **Avoid** treating the widget as a full bibliography manager for very large reference collections.
* **Instead** keep the list concise and update the saved PMIDs whenever the supporting literature changes.

## Related Widgets

* [**PubMed Abstract**](/widgets/section-widgets/reference-manager/pubmed/pubmed-abstract.md): Use this widget when you want to display the full abstract for a paper linked by PMID instead of a citation summary list.
* [**PubMed**](/widgets/column-widgets/pubmed.md): Use the column widget when you need structured PubMed metadata stored in table columns.

## References

* [PubMed on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PubMed) - Background on the PubMed literature database and search system.


---

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