# Disable auto key generation

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/disable-auto-key-generation/4325>\
**Category:** Features\
**Created:** [May 23, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/disable-auto-key-generation/4325 "2024-05-23T15:27:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sormiston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@sormiston](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/sormiston)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/disable-auto-key-generation/4325/1 "2024-05-23T15:27:53Z")

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I would like the option to turn off auto key generation when entries are copied from one bib file to another. I tried to turn off this in the preferences, but it did not work.

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**Author:** ![Siedlerchr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/siedlerchr/32/216_2.png) [@Siedlerchr](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/Siedlerchr)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/disable-auto-key-generation/4325/2 "2024-05-23T22:11:24Z")

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Hi,

can you please test with the latest development version? There have been some fixes regarding the copying of entries from one library to another.  
[https://builds.jabref.org/main/](https://builds.jabref.org/main/)

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**Author:** ![sormiston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@sormiston](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/sormiston)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 1:25am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/disable-auto-key-generation/4325/3 "2024-05-24T01:25:32Z")

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I tried v5.14 and it did not fix the issue. Just for clarity, what I am doing is:

1. Open original bib file.
2. File-\> New library
3. Select multiple entries in original bib file.
4. Edit → Copy
5. Go to new library tab.
6. Edit → Paste.

Problem: It changes the cite key strings in the entries in the new library.

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**Author:** ![Siedlerchr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/siedlerchr/32/216_2.png) [@Siedlerchr](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/Siedlerchr)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 10:58am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/disable-auto-key-generation/4325/4 "2024-05-25T10:58:33Z")

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I think I remember that you have to disable

 ![grafik](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/jabref/original/2X/6/6ac600d11086ba1b522eea2c93c890fdef5fb652.png)  
this option Generate nwe key for imported entries

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**Author:** ![sormiston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@sormiston](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/sormiston)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 1:45pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/disable-auto-key-generation/4325/5 "2024-05-26T13:45:28Z")

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Thank you for the suggestion.  
Unclicking the box beside “Generate a new key for imported entries” fixed the problem.  
That is exactly what I needed.  
Cheers.