Скачать или смотреть Why is my bibliography showing a question mark when I compile my LaTeX document?

Discover common causes and solutions for the `question mark` issue in bibliographies when compiling LaTeX documents.
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When compiling LaTeX documents, encountering a question mark in place of your bibliography references can be frustrating. This problem often arises due to one of several common issues related to the LaTeX compilation process, particularly when dealing with bibliographies.

Common Causes

Incorrect Compilation Sequence
One of the most frequent causes is an incorrect compilation sequence. LaTeX requires a specific sequence to properly process citations and bibliographies:

Compile with pdflatex (or latex).

Run bibtex.

Compile twice more with pdflatex (or latex).

Skipping or mixing up these steps can prevent your citations from being properly recognized.

Missing Bibliography File
Ensure that your .bib file is in the correct directory and that its name is correctly referenced in your LaTeX document. Misplacing the .bib file or misspelling its name can lead to missing references indicated by question marks.

Faulty LaTeX Syntax
Errors in your LaTeX syntax can also cause citation issues. For example, make sure that your \cite commands match entries in your .bib file. Additionally, typos or formatting errors within the .bib file itself can lead to problems during compilation.

Package Issues
Another potential issue may be related to packages. Ensure that you have included the necessary packages at the beginning of your document. For instance,

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

for using the natbib package.

Solutions

Follow the Correct Compilation Sequence
Ensure you compile your document using the correct sequence as mentioned:

pdflatex main

bibtex main

pdflatex main

pdflatex main

Replacing main with the name of your document will ensure the proper handling of bibliographies.

Verify File Integrity and Locations
Check if your .bib file is accessible and correctly named. Verify the paths and filenames in your LaTeX document:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Resolve LaTeX Syntax Errors
Double-check your citations and .bib entries for any syntactical errors. Ensure each \cite{} command matches a corresponding key in your .bib file.

Ensure Proper Package Usage
Verify that you've appropriately included necessary packages. For example, you might need:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

or

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

depending on your chosen bibliography style.

Conclusion

Seeing a question mark instead of a proper bibliography reference is a signalling issue that typically stems from one of the above reasons. By following the correct compilation sequence, verifying file locations and syntax, and ensuring proper package usage, you can resolve this issue and produce a beautifully formatted LaTeX document.