# Jabref modifies CitationEntryKey upon copying references between different bib files

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-modifies-citationentrykey-upon-copying-references-between-different-bib-files/3544>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [September 12, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-modifies-citationentrykey-upon-copying-references-between-different-bib-files/3544 "2022-09-12T13:48:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mdepitta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mdepitta](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/mdepitta)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-modifies-citationentrykey-upon-copying-references-between-different-bib-files/3544/1 "2022-09-12T13:48:43Z")

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This appears a somewhat new behavior (perhaps introduced by new default settings in recent versions):

When I copy one bib entry from one bib file to another (standard CTRL+C in source bib file and CTRL+V in the destination bib file, the bib copied entry appears with a modified CitationEntryKey. Specifically, my citation entry keys are in general, all in the format:

\_

The copied entry instead has a citation entry key in the format:

How can I avoid this behaviour and exactly copy of my bib entries “as they are” into the destination bib file?

Thanks.

Cheers,

M

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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:** [September 12, 2022, 2:11pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-modifies-citationentrykey-upon-copying-references-between-different-bib-files/3544/2 "2022-09-12T14:11:46Z")

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I see 2 parameters in the preference that could cause this behavior:

- in the tab Citation key patterns, uncheck “Overwrite existing keys”
- in the tab “Import and Export”, uncheck “Generate a new key for imported entries”

Please, could you test them?

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**Author:** ![ThiloteE](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/thilotee/32/1008_2.png) [@ThiloteE](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/ThiloteE)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2022, 2:24pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-modifies-citationentrykey-upon-copying-references-between-different-bib-files/3544/3 "2022-09-12T14:24:13Z")

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Refs

- [citationkey pattern always overwrites key, regardless of chosen key in entry-merge dialogue · Issue #8644 · JabRef/jabref · GitHub](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/8644)
- [I cannot merge entries with the same key · Issue #8423 · JabRef/jabref · GitHub](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/8423)
- [When pasting an entry into jabref, check whether key already exists · Issue #8406 · JabRef/jabref · GitHub](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/8406)

Up till now I assumed in most cases it should be desirable to have citationkeys that differ from each other.

Could you please explain your workflow that requires citationkeys to remain “as is”?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mdepitta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mdepitta](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/mdepitta)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-modifies-citationentrykey-upon-copying-references-between-different-bib-files/3544/4 "2022-09-12T14:39:10Z")

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I create document-specific BIB files from a master BIB file where I store all my bib entries, everytime I create a new project. Likewise, the project-specific BIB files also include new bib entries, that at the end of the project I want to transfer to the master BIB file.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mdepitta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mdepitta](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/mdepitta)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/jabref-modifies-citationentrykey-upon-copying-references-between-different-bib-files/3544/5 "2022-09-12T14:39:40Z")

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Thanks,  
the second setting solved the issue.

Cheers,

M