# Use clean up to abbreviate first names?

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/use-clean-up-to-abbreviate-first-names/2492>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [January 5, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/use-clean-up-to-abbreviate-first-names/2492 "2021-01-05T23:42:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![agwest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@agwest](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/agwest)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/use-clean-up-to-abbreviate-first-names/2492/1 "2021-01-05T23:42:25Z")

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Hello,

I just downloaded JabRef to use with LaTex. I am currently editing all my references and was wondering if there was a quick way (e.g. using CleanUp) to abbreviate all the authors’ first names so they appear as J. Smith instead of John Smith? I’ve had a look on this forum and the github but can’t find anything relating to this topic. Thanks!

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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:** [January 6, 2021, 8:02am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/use-clean-up-to-abbreviate-first-names/2492/2 "2021-01-06T08:02:31Z")

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Typically, this task is the job of BibTeX based on the bibliographic style you use (defined by the command \bibliographystyle{} in your .tex file).  
So, you may want to find a more suitable bibliographic style file (.bst), or alter an existing one.