Free online CSV to BIB converter
Convert CSV reference rows into BibTeX entries for LaTeX bibliographies.
Convert CSV to BIB online - free
Your file is processed instantly and deleted as soon as you download it.
Import a file from a URL
Paste a direct link to the file. We download it to our server and it is converted exactly like an upload.
How it works
-
1/3
Upload your .csv file
Click to browse to select your file you want to convert or simply drag & drop your file into selected area.
-
2/3
Perform .csv to .bib conversion
After successful file upload, click to convert when you are ready.
-
3/3
Download converted .bib file
Conversion result is ready to download.
How to convert csv to bib file
- Text files
- No ratings yet.
101convert.com assistant
15m
Reference lists exported from spreadsheets or databases are often stored as CSV, while LaTeX bibliographies commonly need BibTeX files with the .bib extension. Converting the records lets a bibliography manager or LaTeX project use them as citation entries.
What the CSV format is
CSV stores rows of values separated by commas, usually with a first row naming the columns. Spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel and LibreOffice Calc, databases, and reference managers can create CSV exports. It is plain text, but the delimiter, quoting, and column names can vary between files.
What the BIB format is
A .bib file usually contains BibTeX bibliography entries: text records with an entry type, a citation key, and fields such as author, title, year, and journal. LaTeX projects use those keys to cite sources, and programs such as JabRef can edit the entries. BIB is useful when references need to be shared with a LaTeX project or maintained as structured bibliography records.
How to convert CSV to BIB
Online on 101convert.com
- Upload the CSV file on the converter page.
- Choose BIB as the output format and start the conversion.
- Download the converted file.
The page supports batch conversion of several files. Each file is subject to the per-file size limit displayed on the page.
Offline with desktop software
JabRef is a free, open-source bibliography manager for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can import CSV records into a BibTeX library. In the CSV, include columns for the bibliography fields you need, such as author, title, year, and journal. Import the file using File → Import into current library, map the CSV columns to the corresponding fields, and assign an entry type and citation key to each record if they are not supplied. Check the imported entries, then save the library as a .bib file using File → Save library as.
Quality and compatibility
CSV contains tabular values, not BibTeX entry types or citation keys, so those may need to be supplied during import. Check that author names use BibTeX’s and separator between authors, and review commas, quotation marks, accented characters, and LaTeX-sensitive characters in titles. A successful conversion can preserve field values without guaranteeing that each value is assigned to the right bibliography field.
Note: This csv to bib conversion record is incomplete, must be verified, and may contain inaccuracies. Please vote below whether you found this information helpful or not.
CSV vs BIB: format comparison
How the CSV and BIB formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .CSV Comma-Separated Values | .BIB BibTeX bibliography database |
|---|---|---|
| Open standard | Yes | Partly open |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Uncompressed |
| Typical file size | Small | Very small |
| Opens in a web browser | Yes, natively | No |
| Further editing | Easy | Easy |
| Metadata support | Basic | Basic |
| Plain-text readable | Yes | Yes |
| Best used for | Data exchange | Data exchange |
| Introduced | — | 1985 |
| Developer | — | Oren Patashnik (original BibTeX); now maintained as a de facto standard by the TeX community |
| MIME type | text/csv | text/x-bibtex |
Information about file extensions and file types is provided by File-Extensions.org
Frequently asked questions
Is the CSV to BIB converter free?
Yes, converting CSV to BIB on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my CSV file be?
You can upload CSV files up to 3 MB and convert up to 3 files at once in a single batch. With a paid plan the limit is up to 5 MB per file and 100 files at once, see our plans.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert CSV to BIB?
No. The CSV to BIB conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid CSV file for this CSV to BIB conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.