Importing a library from Bibdesk

Help
1

Hi, I have a library of several hundred references that I made using BibDesk. i.e. it is a .bib file.

Should it be possible it be possible to import this into JabRef? I have tried using ‘open library’ but this gives ‘Status: Opening: …bib’ for a long time with no change. If I try ‘Import into new library’, I similarly get ‘Status: Importing in unknown format’ without change.

Thanks in advance for the help.

2

Since you already have a bib file, the “Open library” should work.
To find out what is wrong, I suggest you start with a small portion of your file.

3

Usually, parsing errors are also reported in the error console (accessible via the “Help” menu). If nothing helps you can also send us your file to developers@jabref.org and we will have a look and debug the problem.

1 Like
4

Thanks a lot the error console pointed me towards the problem!

1 Like
5

I had a similar problem and I wanted to share the cause and solution. Many thanks go to @tobiasdiez for pointing out the error console, this was indeed very helpful. My log indicated that an invalid entry field had been detected:
java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: The field name ‘id’ is reserved
My collaborator had been using BibDesk and a handful of the entries had a field "Id = ". Deleting these fields cleared up the hanging issue and allowed the library to be opened.

Thanks!

1 Like
6

The problem with the id field is also now resolved in the current master version since a while.

1 Like