> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://quester.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import your sources

> Bring a reference-manager library, research documents, pasted references, or one manual record into a Quester project.

Use a BibTeX or RIS export when you already have a reference-manager library. Use document upload or pasted text for material that has not reached that library yet.

## Before you begin

You need a Quester project and permission to add sources to it. Prepare one of the following:

* A `.bib` or `.ris` export from Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote
* Up to five PDF, DOCX, DOC, or TXT files, each no larger than 25 MB
* A bibliography, reference list, or set of DOIs as plain text
* The bibliographic details for one record you will enter by hand

If the project is on the free Explorer plan, check the meter above the source list first. Explorer holds thirty sources, and an import that crosses the limit offers to bring in only the number that still fit.

## Import a reference-manager library

1. Export the library from Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote as **BibTeX** or **RIS**. In Zotero, use **File → Export Library…**.
2. Open the project, go to **Desk → Sources**, and choose **Add literature**.
3. Drop the `.bib` or `.ris` file into the import panel.
4. Review the number of records Quester found and complete the import.

Quester detects duplicates by DOI and by title-and-year. It reports skipped records, so importing an updated copy of the same library does not create another copy of every source.

## Upload research documents

1. Open **Add literature** and select **Upload documents**.
2. Drop up to five supported files into the upload area.
3. Keep **Fill empty fields only** selected unless you deliberately want extracted metadata to replace fields you already corrected.
4. Start the upload and leave the queue tray open until every file reaches **Completed** or **Failed**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/quester/YLK8YgEj1x5_XpXT/media/desk-sources--import.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=YLK8YgEj1x5_XpXT&q=85&s=725e1d8d2a2d6e25a204c401b72228bd" alt="The Add Literature dialog on its Upload Documents tab: a drop target, the accepted file types, and the two other tabs beside it." width="1440" height="1148" data-path="media/desk-sources--import.webp" />

Uploaded documents appear in the library after processing finishes. A reference imported from BibTeX or RIS is usable immediately because it has no document to process.

## Paste references or DOIs

1. Open **Add literature** and select the text-import option.
2. Paste a bibliography, a reference list, or DOIs separated by blank lines.
3. Review each parsed entry. Correct anything marked **Needs review**.
4. Save the entries marked **Ready**.

## Add one source manually

Use the manual-entry tab for records that do not import cleanly, such as a conference presentation, book chapter, or unpublished thesis. Choose the source type first so the form asks for the fields that record needs.

## Check your work

Return to **Desk → Sources** and confirm that:

* The expected records appear in the list.
* The duplicate count makes sense for a reference-manager import.
* Every uploaded document reaches **Completed**, or gives you a visible **Failed** state to resolve.
* A sample record has the correct title, authors, year, and source type.

If a document fails or its extracted details are wrong, use the [source-processing reference](/reference/source-processing). Then continue with [Reading a source](/manual/source-detail).