# How to read bib data for/from a PDF file

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-read-bib-data-for-from-a-pdf-file/2671>\
**Category:** Help\
**Tags:** fetcher, entry-editor\
**Created:** [April 21, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-read-bib-data-for-from-a-pdf-file/2671 "2021-04-21T16:15:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 8

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**Author:** ![k3KAW8Pnf7mkmdSMPHz2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/k3kaw8pnf7mkmdsmphz2/32/1116_2.png) [@k3KAW8Pnf7mkmdSMPHz2](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/k3KAW8Pnf7mkmdSMPHz2)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/how-to-read-bib-data-for-from-a-pdf-file/2671/8 "2021-04-23T19:00:48Z")

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> [@louarnold](#):
>
> The change in file name results in exactly “-,pdf”.Not something you want to see happen in my all-PDF folder (not part of Docear or JabRef).

This should only happen if JabRef fails to read information from the pdf (the entry in the main table is empty after import).

> [@louarnold](#):
>
> However, PDFs do not usually contain their bib data, and only JabRef can write it into the PDF.

If you just want to try the “workflow”, I’d suggest using the web search feature in the lower-left corner and download a couple of entries to experiment with.  
 ![Skärmavbild 2021-04-23 kl. 14.58.59](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/jabref/original/1X/1e9d14acc984d27c7cab86c656e040e46e9a7e27.png)

Regarding location, [see your other thread](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/what-terms-mean/2673/6).

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