Automatically sync BibTeX files

By Suzanne O’Regan · Updated Aug 13, 2025

You can automatically sync a folder, label, or your complete Paperpile library to a BibTeX file in Google Drive, GitHub, or a downloadable web link.

Add a new BibTeX Export workflow

1. Click your profile picture on the top right and go to Workflows and Integrations
   
2. Click the Add button of the BibTeX Export workflow
   

Select the source

Select which references you want to sync to the BibTeX file. You can choose specific folders, labels, or your whole library.

Select the destination

Next, choose where the file will be synced to.

• Web
• Android
• iOS
• Word
• Google Docs
• Mobile
• Windows
• macOs

Select Google Drive, then click Next and Finish.

The file is now synced to Google Drive. You can rename the file in your Google Drive and also move it wherever you want.

1. Select GitHub
   
2. Copy and paste the address of your repository (both HTTPS and SSH links work) in the field Repository
3. Enter the name of the branch you want to sync the file. Leave the field empty, to use the default branch "main"
4. Enter the name and path of the file within your repository
5. Grant Paperpile access to your repository. In the repository settings on GitHub find the action "Invite a collaborator" and add the user Paperpile Bot as collaborator
   

Note: When you add, remove, or change a reference the BibTeX file will be updated and you will see a commit from Paperpile Bot.

Select Download link, name the file and click Next and Finish. This will create a download link that always will give you an up-to-date BibTeX file.

You can open this link in the browser and download the file manually. Alternatively, you can use it on the command line or in a script. You can copy a wget command or download a simple sync shell script, which continuously checks for updates and only downloads the file if it has changed.

Note: Everyone who has this link has access to the BibTeX file.

Managing BibTeX export workflows

You can add multiple BibTeX export workflows. All your workflows will be listed in the Workflows and Integrations window. You can edit, activate/de-activate, and delete your BibTeX exports in this list.

Notes

• You cannot export shared folders at this time.
• Exported files are read-only. All changes you make directly to an exported BibTeX file will be overwritten when Paperpile syncs the content next. If you or your colleagues want to add or change entries manually, we suggest using multiple BibTeX files. For example, use one automatically exported paperpile.bib file and one manual other-references.bib file. Include both in your manuscript with \bibliography{paperpile, other-references}.