How to Link a BibTeX (.bib) File to a LaTeX Main Document

A simple guide for students and researchers using IEEE LaTeX

1. What Is a .bib File?

A .bib file is a BibTeX bibliography database that stores references (articles, books, conference papers) in a structured format. LaTeX automatically pulls citations from this file into the main document.

2. Project Folder Structure

Ensure your LaTeX project files are organized as follows:

main.tex
references.bib
figures/

The main.tex file is your primary document, while references.bib contains all bibliography entries.

3. Adding the Bibliography to main.tex

Insert the following lines near the end of your main.tex file, just before \end{document}. 

\bibliographystyle{IEEEtran}
\bibliography{references}

Note: Do not include the .bib extension in the filename.

4. Citing References in the Text

Use the citation key defined in the .bib file to cite references: 

Semantic communication improves efficiency~\cite{strinati2021}.

For multiple citations: 

\cite{strinati2021,sun2022,wang2024}

5. Compiling the Document (Important)

LaTeX must be compiled in the correct order for references to appear.

Using Overleaf

  • Click Recompile
  • Overleaf automatically runs BibTeX

Using Local LaTeX (TeXstudio / TeXworks)

pdflatex main
bibtex main
pdflatex main
pdflatex main

6. Common Errors and Fixes

  • References not showing: Check citation key spelling
  • Empty bibliography: Ensure BibTeX was run
  • Question marks [?]: Recompile LaTeX twice
  • Wrong style: Use IEEEtran for IEEE journals

7. Summary

Linking a .bib file to a LaTeX document allows automated reference management, consistent formatting, and easy reuse across journals. This method is strongly recommended for IEEE publications.

Prepared for teaching and academic writing tutorials

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From DSRC to 5G NR-V2X: The Road Ahead for Connected Vehicles

Modern vehicles are no longer just machines on wheels. Through Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication , they are becoming active participants in intelligent transport systems, enabling safer driving, smoother traffic, and progress toward automation. DSRC: The First Step The earliest V2X technology was Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) , based on IEEE 802.11p. Operating in the 5.9 GHz band , it allowed onboard units (OBUs) in vehicles to exchange safety and infotainment data with roadside units (RSUs) . While DSRC was effective for short-range messaging, it faced limits in coverage, data rate, and quality of service (QoS) . These challenges motivated researchers to explore new solutions. D2D and the Cellular Shift A key breakthrough came with Device-to-Device (D2D) communication , where vehicles exchange information directly without always relying on infrastructure. This reduces latency, eases network congestion, and helps maintain reliability in crow...
Read more

CTE 311: ENGINEER IN SOCIETY: CURRICULUM (20/21 SESSION)

GENERAL OBJECTIVES: On completion of this module, the student should be able to: 1. Understand the historical development of engineering and technology. 2. Know the cadres and pyramidal structure of the engineering family. 3. Understand roles of engineering personnel in the society. 4. Know the engineering professional associations in Nigeria. 5. Understand importance and process of engineering professional registration in Nigeria. 1.1 Identify, describe, technology and engineering in ancient Egypt, Rome, China, Europe, America 1.2 State developments from military to Civil Engineering . 1.3 State the industrial Revolution in England and its spread to Europe, Asia and Africa. 1.4 State Mo dern technology and eng ineering. 2.1 Identify the various cadres o f the engineering family . 2.2 State the ideal ratio of the different cadres of engineering personnel required for an engineering project team. 2.3 Identify the various engineering discipline. 2.4 Identify the pyramidal structure ...
Read more

🔹 Is Qualitative Data Always Primary Data?

Image
🔹 Is Qualitative Data Always Primary Data? Insights from Stroke Care and IoV Research Understanding stroke care isn’t just about what happens — it’s about why it matters . In our recent research, we use a mix of sensor data , patient feedback , and AI-driven IoV analytics to capture the full story ( Saad, Jamshed, Adedamola, Nauman, & Kim, 2025 ). 📄 Click here to view the full paper 🧠 Primary vs. Secondary Data Primary data → Data you collect yourself (interviews, observations, or IoV sensor readings). Secondary data → Data collected by someone else (published reports, case studies, open datasets). For example, if we interview stroke patients or observe IoV interactions , that’s primary qualitative data . But if we analyze existing case reports or published interviews , that’s secondary . “The last decade has witnessed considerable growth in the development of qualitative research... yet this is an area on which most researchers require some guid...
Read more