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BibTeX for LaTeX

This guide provides a brief overview of managing references in LaTeX using BibTeX. Follow the instructions to integrate BibTeX into your LaTeX documents, allowing you to cite sources and generate bibliographies.

A Harvard style (using natbib package)

We do not currently have any LaTeX style files for the Imperial College London referencing formats.

The following is an example of a Harvard (author / date) style output that can be used as an alternative to the Imperial Harvard style.

You need the following commands:

  • \usepackage{natbib} - add to the preamble
  • \cite - use to insert citations in the text (see table below for more variations)
  • \biblographystyle{agsm} - where agsm is our preferred Harvard style output
  • \bibliography{filename} - to create the reference list

Natbib citation commands

Command Action Results
\cite{1145} Author(s) in text, publication year in brackets; et al. used for more than two authors Johnson et al. (2015)
\cite*{1145} Author(s) in text, publication year in brackets; all authors included Johnson, Smith & Roberts (2015)
\citep{1145} Author(s) and publication year in brackets; et al. used for more than two authors (Johnson et al. 2015)
\citep*{1145} Author(s) and publication year in brackets; all authors included (Johnson, Smith & Roberts 2015)
\citep{1145,1150} Multiple citations appear (Johnson et al. 2015, Morant et al. 2010)
\citep[p.~22]{1145} Allows page number to be inserted (used for direct quotes) (Johnson et al. 2015, p. 22)

 

Example: a Harvard style with natbib

Original document in LaTeX:

A screenshot illustrating the use of the Natbib package in creating a Harvard Referencing Style in Overleaf

 

Typeset output:

An example of Harvard Referencing Style output in Overleaf.