Papers Quick
Start Guide
Version 3.1

Welcome to Papers
Within this document, we will be sharing information on how to:●●●
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Import existing libraries
Match & edit articles
Customize your libraries
Organize your libraries
Search & discoverView articles & share annotations
Sync & store across devices
Use SmartCite

If you’re ever unsure or feeling stuck, please reach out support@papersapp.com.

Library Feature Overview
Article Info
Sort/Filter

Import/Add References

Library Search

ShareEdit
Metadata
Notes

ArticleAnalytics

Supplements
ExportBuilt in searchengineHyperlinked
Author Names
Personalizedrecommendations

Personal
Library

Advanced
Organization

Tags

Lists

SharedLibraries

View PDF

Enhanced PDF Reader

Multiple Options For Import
Option 1: Drag & Drop

Option 2: Library Add Menu

Simply select the PDFs you'd like to import from yourdesktop and drag them onto the library window.

Import a variety of file types such as PDFs, .RIS, or BIB. CSV
files can also be imported with this menu in the desktop app.

Multiple Options For Import
Option 3: Other Reference Managers
We make switching tools easy. See the dedicatedinstructions below to bring your library from aprevious tool into Papers.

EndNote/Zotero/Mendeley

Please use our dedicated importers via the Papers
Desktop app.

Bookends/PaperPile/Refworks/Others
Full import steps outlined in this article.

Metadata Matching
When articles import into Papers, they are automatically matched to the metadata so you know exactly what
the article is. Sometimes, you may need to rematch metadata, which you can easily do by right-clicking thereference. You will see different options.

Match
If an article does not have any metadata you canselect "Match" on the Info Pane to bring up themanual match feature. Here you will see a previewof the PDF that you can then type in the relevant
metadata to populate the reference.
Tip: Less is always more. Try selecting only part of
the title to start. Most of that time, that's all you
need for a match.

Editing Metadata
Edit"Edit Details" will bring up the metadata editing pane,
including the PDF preview so you can easily copy the fields
to populate the reference.

Clear"Clear Details" will erase all metadata from the reference.
The name will revert back to the original download name.
From here, you can repopulate all the metadata fields, oruse Lookup Details to find a match.

UpdateSelecting "Update Details" will rerun the matcher andpopulate any missing metadata fields. This needs
metadata like a DOI or PMID to be present.

Editing Metadata
See video tutorial for
more information.

Customize Your Library
Table & List Views
You can format your library window to suit your needs with
'Table' and 'List' views.
In 'Table' view, columns can be customized to reflect data most
relevant to you and also be used for easy sorting. Byright-clicking on any of the headings in the Table view, you can
add and remove columns to suit your preference.
You can also move columns by again clicking on the column
header and dragging left or right. Width of each column canbe adjusted by placing your cursor between the header of twocolumns and dragging left to right.
See video tutorial for more information.

Ways to Organize Your Libraries
Tags

Add tags to any articles in your personal or sharedlibrary by clicking on the "Tags" section in the rightpanel of your library.
Each new tag will be added to an auto-generated
list in the corresponding library and can be used asa search term. You can also select papers fromyour library and drag them onto existing tags toadd tags in bulk. Learn more.

Ways to Organize Your Libraries
Collections & Sub Lists

You can create collection folders within yourpersonal and design a vertical file structure of up to
7 levels by simply dragging one folder on top ofanother.
Get started by clicking the gear icon to the right ofthe main library title (ie. All Papers). Learn more.

Ways to Organize Your Libraries
Smart Lists
Smart Lists are organized lists built on saved searches in yourlibrary. After setting your search criteria, Smart Lists willautomatically populate a collection of articles from a specificlibrary that match your search terms. You can add a smart list
to both a private/shared library. As with lists, Smart Lists createdto shared libraries will be visible to all members in that library.
Learn more.

Creating a Smart List
Use the search bar in a given library to create a search. You cankeep it basic with a single keyword or use advanced searchstrategies to get very specific. When satisfied, click on Save
Search in the dropdown on the right side of the search bar.

Ways to Organize Your Libraries
Public Lists

Public Lists are like your normal folders with the added ability toshare all the references and metadata publicly. You can create
public lists that are both from your Personal and Shared libraries
and even your SmartLists.
When you create a public list you are given a unique URL. You
can share this URL with any collaborators, colleagues, etc whowill then be able to access a full reference list. Learn more.

Powerful Search Capabilities
Built in SearchWithin the app, search for new literature using thebuilt-in search engine covering over 129 million
articles. Use boolean search terms or click toexpand the search menu to add filters and narrow
down searches like: year, author, journal, article title.
Searching within one’s existing library supports fulltext search of both articles and annotations.
Learn more about our advanced search filters here:
Advanced and Syntax Searching

Browser Extensions
Built in Search

You can easily add papers to the library using our handy browser extension. Search for papers on sites like
PubMed, Dimensions, Google Scholar, bioRxiv and journal websites. The extension will automatically show if
you already have the paper in your personal or shared library, and for those not in your library, the extension
allows you to add those references and PDFs (where applicable) directly into any collection within thepersonal or shared library.

ChromeFirefox

MicrosoftSafari

You can also save web pages by simply clicking on the ReadCube extension icon in your browser.
See video tutorial for more information.

Personalized Recommendations
Full Text Search

Ensure you never miss another important paper. Our recommendation engine leverages our full-text searchengine to deliver hyper-specific suggestions of relevant papers based on selected filters such as personal or
shared libraries, collections, published date, or even access type (open access/ paywalled). A perfect compliment
to existing discovery paths.
Learn more about our advanced search and syntax filters and watch our video tutorial.

Mention Monitoring
Contextual Citations

Using our full-text index of more than 120 million articles, our popular“Mentions” feature shows the reader not just a citation, but also asnippet of the original text in which the citation appears,
contextualizing the citation. Each citation is hyperlinked to bring up
that papers in our in-app search.
The data fueling Mentions is dynamically updated to ensure thatrecent publications are reflected each time you open the panel.
See video tutorial for more information.

Flexible Team Spaces
In addition to individual library management, flexible team spaces
enable you to share references, PDFs, and annotations betweencolleagues.

Creating a Shared Collection

By simply clicking the + icon button next to “Shared Libraries”, you cancreate a shared collection, then add content from your desktop
directly or from your personal library collections. Collaborators canbe easily added by email and gain access to collection content andeven contribute additional material.

Flexible Team Spaces
Shared Annotations

Sharing Between Libraries

Share notes and annotations on any article fromyour shared libraries with your colleagues. Allannotations are automatically synced and addedin real time.

If you drag an item that has been annotated intoanother library, you will have the option to copy notes
and annotations as well, or bring over a clean copy (viaDiscard).

With author attribution, you can see whichcollaborator made each note including the date tostay organized within your annotations.

Access From Anywhere
Multi Device Syncing

With unlimited secure cloud storage for both personal and shared library collections, Papers allows you to accessreferences and PDFs (including notes and highlights) as well as all the powerful discovery features from anydevice. ReadCube offers a web app (available on all modern browsers) as well as companion desktop and mobile
apps for Mac, PC, Android and iOS. Visit the Download Center for access to all of our apps.

Downloads
SmartCite Options
Available in Word, Google Docs and CiteKeys.

CitingCitation Export Options
Easily copy a reference directly from within yourlibrary. On the "Export Citation" panel you canchoose from over 10,000+ styles to copy to yourclipboard. Easily set a default citation style in thedesktop app under Papers Settings.
Quick citation generator available in library (rightpanel) and PDF view (left panel)CitingStart Citing
You can search your library or click on a list or tag to browse through thevarious folders. The search within SmartCite offers the same library
search capabilities that both web/desktop offer.
When you’ve found the reference you are looking for, check the box tothe left of the reference and click “Insert” at the bottom of the panel.
Your references will automatically be inserted at the place where yourcursor is in the document.

Editing & Customizing References
References can be changed at any time by simply moving their position(ie. copying and pasting), clicking on reference to reveal edit options toremove, order or add additional references. You can also select thereference box by highlighting it with your cursor and clicking delete toremove it completely from the document.

Citing
Insert Bibliography
Whenever you are ready, go to “Bibliography” and choose fromover 10,000+ citation styles - we will take care of the formatting.
Click “Insert Bibliography” to add it to your documents. Need tochange your style? Simply select a new style and click on“Update Bibliography” Click on the star icon beside style names
to add them to your favorites list.
If you have a custom style you'd like to import, go to the OPTIONS
tab and choose option to "Manage Custom Styles".

Citing
Hyperlink Converter
Converting to hyperlinks will automatically link inline references
to the corresponding item in your bibliography.
lease note that to click into an inline reference with this feature
activated, you will simply need to use your keyboard to move thecursor into the inline brackets to allow for editing.

CitingEndnote Citation Converter*
Coming from a different tool can be a pain if you have to
manually change your active citations.
That's why we created the Endnote Citation Converter so you
can let SmartCite convert your citations from Endnote so you
don't have to restart your manuscript writing.

* Only available in Word.

Learn More
To ensure you feel comfortable and confident in ReadCube, our support team is available at any
time to answer your questions. Submit a ticket.
Looking for more training? Our team regularly schedules 101 trainings. Find a time that works foryou and bring your questions!