Reference Management

BibLaTeX – sophisticated bibliographies in LaTeX

BibLaTeX provides advanced bibliographic facilities for use with LaTeX in conjunction with BibTeX. The package is a complete reimplementation of the bibliographic facilities provided by LaTeX.

A custom backend Biber by default is used which processes the BibTeX format data files and them performs all sorting, label generation (and more). Legacy BibTeX is also supported as a backend, albeit with a reduced feature set. Biblatex does not use the backend to format the bibliography information as with traditional BibTeX: instead of being implemented in BibTeX style files, the formatting of the bibliography is entirely controlled by TeX macros.

This package also supports subdivided bibliographies, multiple bibliographies within one document, and separate lists of bibliographic shorthands. Bibliographies may be subdivided into parts and/or segmented by topics. Just like the bibliography styles, all citation commands may be freely defined. With Biber as the backend, features such as customisable sorting, multiple bibliographies with different sorting, customisable labels, dynamic data modification are available.

BibLaTex is included in TeX Live and MikTeX distributions.

Features include:

  • Can be used with or without BibTeX the program since its default backend Biber uses fully supports the BibTeX file format.
  • Entry types supported by the data model:
    • article – an article in a journal, magazine, newspaper, or other periodical which forms a self-contained unit with its own title.
    • book – a single-volume book with one or more authors where the authors share credit for the work as a whole.
    • mvbook – a multi-volume book.
    • inbook – a part of a book which forms a self-contained unit with its own title.
    • bookinbook – similar to inbook but intended for works originally published as a stand-alone book.
    • suppbook – supplemental material in a book.
    • booklet – a book-like work without a formal publisher or sponsoring institution.
    • collection – a single-volume collection with multiple, self-contained contributions by distinct authors which have their own title.
    • mvcollection – a multi-volume collection.
    • incollection – a contribution to a collection which forms a self-contained unit with a distinct author and title.
    • suppcollection – supplemental material in a collection.
    • manual – technical or other documentation, not necessarily in printed form.
    • misc – a fallback type for entries which do not fit into any other category.
    • online – intended for sources such as web sites which are intrinsically online resources.
    • patent – a patent or patent request.
    • periodical – a complete issue of a periodical, such as a special issue of a journal.
    • suppperiodical – supplemental material in a periodical.
    • proceedings – a single-volume conference proceedings.
    • mvproceedings – a multi-volume proceedings entry.
    • inproceedings – an article in a conference proceedings.
    • reference – a single-volume work of reference such as an encyclopedia or a dictionary.
    • mvreference – a multi-volume reference entry.
    • inreference – an article in a work of reference.
    • report – a technical report, research report, or white paper published by a university or some other institution.
    • set – an entry set.
    • thesis – a thesis written for an educational institution to satisfy the requirements for a degree.
    • unpublished – a work with an author and a title which has not been formally published, such as a manuscript or the script of a talk.
    • xdata – hold data which may be inherited by other entries using the xdata field
    • custom[a–f] – custom types for special bibliography styles.
  • Customisable data model (define your own .bib types and fields, for example).
  • Verify bib data against a datamodel.
  • On-the-fly modification of data without changing source data.
  • Highly sophisticated full UTF-8 sorting of bibliography with custom sort routines.
  • Automatic disambiguation facility for names, years, labels, name lists.
  • Multiple bibliographies with different sorting.
  • Flexible way of dealing with “related” entries (reprints, translations, collections).
  • Customisable bibliography labels.

Website: ctan.org/pkg/biblatex
Support: Documentation
Developer: Philip Lehman,
Joseph Wright, Audrey Boruvka, Philip Kime
License: The LaTeX Project Public Li­cense

Return to Reference Management | Return to LaTeX Tools


Popular series
Free and Open Source SoftwareThe largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions.
ReviewsHundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information.
The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions.
Alternatives to Proprietary SoftwareReplace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS.
GamesAwesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series.
Artificial intelligence iconMachine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source.
Guide to LinuxNew to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux.
Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities.
System ToolsEssential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users.
ProductivityLinux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine.
AudioSurveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal.
Saving Money with LinuxSaving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux.
Home ComputersHome computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.
Now and ThenNow and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride.
Linux at HomeLinux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged.
Linux CandyLinux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery.
DockerGetting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers.
Android AppsBest Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series.
Programming BooksThese best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today!
Programming TutorialsThese free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series.
Linux Around The WorldLinux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts.
Stars and StripesStars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Please read our Comment FAQ before posting a comment.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments