LaTeX and BibTex
Creating a LaTeX Document
You can create a LaTeX document in two ways: using a plain text or a specialized LaTeX Editor. For more information, see a comparison of TeX editors.
Plain text means writing out the text with the LaTeX markup, which is the commands that give instructions on how to format the text. Then you would choose a LaTeX editor to interpret those commands and text and produce a formatted PDF document. This is similar to HTML, another markup language, and the internet browser which transforms it into a HTML website page.
The second way is using a specialised LaTeX editor like Overleaf to write your text and commands into, allowing you to see the formatted version of the text and markup on the side as you go along.
Using Overleaf
Overleaf is an online collaborative cloud-based LaTeX editor. The University of Melbourne provides Overleaf Professional Features for all students and staff.
Have a look at the Quick start guide to Overleaf
Creating a bibliography file from scratch
To create a new bibliography file in Overleaf, in the editor, click New File icon.
An input box will appear for you to set the name of the new file. The file should have the .bib extension, in this example, it's called "mybibliography.bib"; now click on Create.
A new file will be listed in the left panel, click it to edit its contents. Add your bibliography entries there.
Upload Bibliography file in Overleaf
If you already have a bibliography file that you need to use in an Overleaf project, you can upload it. Click the Upload icon on top of the left pane.
A dialogue box will appear, you can either drag and drop the .bib file or click Select from your computer to navigate to the location of your file.
Overleaf bibliography template
In the Project Management view click New Project, then in the drop-down menu that will appear click View All.
You will be redirected to a list of templates. Choose Bibliography.
Creating a bibliography is made easy in LaTeX through the use of packages such as bibtex, biber, natbib and biblatex which allow the automatic generation of the reference list in the chosen style (e.g. in that required by the academic journal you’re submitting your article to). Here we present some example documents to help you see how to set up a bibliography in LaTeX to achieve the reference and citation style required.
Choose a template and open in Overleaf editor so you can start working on it.