# Downloaded document: Filename format

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [August 31, 2021, 10:07am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918 "2021-08-31T10:07:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mlep](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/mlep/32/387_2.png) [@mlep](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/mlep)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 10:07am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918/1 "2021-08-31T10:07:54Z")

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When JabRef downloads documents (using the menu `Lookup -> Search full text documents online`), my downloaded (pdf) files are named `default.pdf`, `default (1).pdf`, etc.

I would like the names to match the BibTeX key.

Currently, in my preferences, under the section “linked file name conventions”, the filename format pattern is set to [bibtexkey].

Why does the filename format pattern is not enforced?  
Which settings should I change?

JabRef 5.4–2021-08-30–ff65eb8  
Linux 4.19.0-17-amd64 amd64  
Java 16.0.2  
JavaFX 16+8

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**Author:** ![btut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/btut/32/1018_2.png) [@btut](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/btut)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 10:59am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918/2 "2021-08-31T10:59:08Z")

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Hi,  
for me this happens only if the entry does not have a bibtexkey set. Otherwise, the behavior is as expected and the file is renamed appropriately.

Edit: Using JabRef 5.3

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**Author:** ![mlep](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/mlep/32/387_2.png) [@mlep](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/mlep)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 11:17am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918/3 "2021-08-31T11:17:50Z")

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Indeed, my entries did not have a BibTeX key (which is strange).  
Thank you!

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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:** [August 31, 2021, 11:43am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918/4 "2021-08-31T11:43:17Z")

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There’s an option you can check “Automatically generate citation key”

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**Author:** ![mlep](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/mlep/32/387_2.png) [@mlep](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/mlep)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 12:08pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918/5 "2021-08-31T12:08:51Z")

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Nice! However, I cannot locate this option in the preferences… By chance, did you mean `Generate keys before saving (for entries without a key)`?

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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:** [August 31, 2021, 12:11pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918/6 "2021-08-31T12:11:11Z")

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Yes, that one or the “generate new key on import” under Import/Export

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**Author:** ![mlep](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/mlep/32/387_2.png) [@mlep](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/mlep)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 12:18pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/downloaded-document-filename-format/2918/7 "2021-08-31T12:18:17Z")

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OK, thanks for the details!