# New entry from plain text

> Entries can be created from a reference text.

In case you have a reference string, JabRef offers the functionality to convert the text to BibTeX. Thereby, JabRef uses the technology offered by [Grobid](https://github.com/kermitt2/grobid).

Example:

```
O. Kopp, A. Armbruster, und O. Zimmermann, "Markdown Architectural Decision Records: Format and Tool Support", in 10th ZEUS Workshop, 2018.
```

1. Click Library and select "New entry from plain text..." Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Shift+N.

   <img src="/files/-M1w174gqUqllQ3H8gh0" alt="New entry from plain text" data-size="original">
2. The "Plain Reference Parser" window opens

   <img src="/files/-M1w174ioocuxJebxQXA" alt="Plain Reference Parser" data-size="original">
3. Paste the reference text:

   <img src="/files/-M1w174kElZKWXDaYVH3" alt="Paste" data-size="original">
4. Click "Add to current library"
5. The result is selected in the entry table:

   <img src="/files/-M1w174m_UTzfTs8Cswz" alt="Result of Grobid Parsing" data-size="original">

## JabRef 4.x

JabRef thereby used the service offered by [FreeCite](http://freecite.library.brown.edu/). This servce was shut down in 2019. The following explanations are only for historical interest.

1. Click BibTeX and select "New entry from plain text..." Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Shift+N.

   <img src="/files/-M1w174oeka983PF3qrO" alt="Select entry type" data-size="original">
2. Select an entry type. Select "InProceedings", this works in the most cases

   <img src="/files/-M1w174qz0qLrI0pNqA-" alt="entry type selection" data-size="original">
3. The "Plain text import" window opens

   <img src="/files/4zzuvjF1xRwgUfPn3a7A" alt="plain text import" data-size="original">
4. Paste the entry using the middle button "paste"

   <img src="/files/xNyjCOj4TsmcLCDxyEF9" alt="paste" data-size="original">
5. Click on "Parse with FreeCite"

   <img src="/files/DEs7nLX6AOxTHvYGrsMM" alt="paste" data-size="original">
6. The entry editor opens with the parsed result:

   <img src="/files/MwfsEL6XobUfB5ea1OO1" alt="parsed result" data-size="original">

   Do your corrections there.

## Manual way

After step 4 from above, you can manually assign the types to each text.

* Select the text
* Double click on the type at the right side at "Available BibTeX fields"

![manual](/files/-M1w175-ZSu2K8CYW36k)

After you finished, you can press "Accept".


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.jabref.org/v4/import-export/import/newentryfromplaintext.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.