# Exporting string constatns while copying

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/exporting-string-constatns-while-copying/4188>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [February 8, 2024, 2:54am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/exporting-string-constatns-while-copying/4188 "2024-02-08T02:54:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ankit](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/ankit/32/1811_2.png) [@Ankit](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/Ankit)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 2:54am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/exporting-string-constatns-while-copying/4188/1 "2024-02-08T02:54:09Z")

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I am trying to copy selected bib entries from my library so that I can use it in a different project. Copying from a related question, here is a MWE:

.bib file:

```auto
@String{grl = "Geophys. Res. Lett."}

@article{claudepierre:20a,
    author = {Claudepierre, S. G.},
    journal = grl
}

```

When I copy it by using ctrl+C and then paste it into my editor, the journal name continues to be `grl`, whereas the desired behavior would be `Geophys. Res. Lett.`

I would really appreciate any help, thanks!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [February 8, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/exporting-string-constatns-while-copying/4188/2 "2024-02-08T21:54:49Z")

</div>

Hi,

Copy and paste of String constants is not yet supported. Either you add them manually to your bib file (eg. open in an editor) or you can add them using Library properties → Strings constants.  
JabRef considers Strings as metadata, while copying and pasting only operates on entries.

However, it should be possible to search and parse String contants on pasting and adding them to the library. I suggest, you open an issue at our gihtub repo for this:

> **[Issues · JabRef/jabref](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues)**
>
> Graphical Java application for managing BibTeX and biblatex (.bib) databases - Issues · JabRef/jabref

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [February 9, 2024, 11:37pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/exporting-string-constatns-while-copying/4188/3 "2024-02-09T23:37:46Z")

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For reference, the github issue [Replacing String Constants During Copy-Paste · Issue #10872 · JabRef/jabref · GitHub](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/10872)