How to Add Sources to Jenni AI Library: Zotero, Mendeley, BibTeX, RIS, DOI, PDFs

Sources come from everywhere. Some live in Zotero, some in Mendeley, some arrive as BibTeX or RIS exports, and sometimes all you have is a DOI or a PDF. That mix is normal, but it can get messy fast if you keep adding sources without a clear import path.

This guide helps you choose the best way to add sources into your Jenni Library based on what you already have, so you can avoid messy metadata, cut down on duplicate-heavy imports, and keep your references easier to use while writing.

<CTA title="Add Your Sources to Jenni Library" description="Import your library or upload a few files so your references are ready while you write." buttonLabel="Start Importing Sources" link="https://app.jenni.ai/register" />

Start here: choose the best import method for what you already have

The easiest way to keep your Jenni Library clean is to start with the import method that matches the format your sources already live in. Instead of forcing everything through one path, pick the option that gives you the cleanest metadata with the least cleanup.

Quick chooser table

<ProTip title="🧭 Quick Note:" description="If you want the cleanest metadata with the least cleanup, start with Zotero or Mendeley import before trying PDF uploads." />

If you are not sure which path to use, default to the method that preserves the most structure from your original library first, then use DOI or PDF for one off additions later.

Import from Zotero or Mendeley when you already have a library

If your sources are already organized in a reference manager, importing from that library is usually the cleanest way to bring them into Jenni. You keep more of your existing structure, and you usually spend less time fixing metadata afterward.

Zotero import (best when your collections are already organized)

Choose Zotero import when your collections are already grouped the way you want them for a paper, project, or review. It is a strong option when you want to bring in a focused set of sources without rebuilding your setup.

1. Open Library in Jenni.

2. Click the upload arrow.

3. Select Zotero.

4. Sign in.

5. Choose your collection.

6. Upload and verify your sources appear.

This is what the Zotero import flow looks like:

For the full walkthrough, see Zotero integration with Jenni AI

Mendeley import (best when your workflow already lives in Mendeley)

Choose Mendeley import when your folders are already maintained in Mendeley, and you want to keep that workflow intact. This is the easiest path when your current project sources already live there.

1. Open Library in Jenni.

2. Click the upload arrow.

3. Select Mendeley.

4. Sign in.

5. Choose your collection folder.

6. Upload and verify your sources appear.

This is what the Mendeley import flow looks like:

For the full walkthrough, see Mendeley integration with Jenni AI

If you already keep your sources organized in Zotero or Mendeley, start there first, then use other import methods later for one-off additions.

Use BibTeX or RIS when your sources come from exports

If your sources are coming from a database export or another tool, BibTeX or RIS is usually a clean way to bring them into Jenni. These formats are built for citation data, so they often carry more structured metadata than uploading random PDFs one by one.

When BibTeX or RIS is the better option

This route works best when you are moving citation data, not syncing a full reference manager library.

• Switching from another tool
  
  

• Exporting from a database
  
  

• Receiving citations from a collaborator
  
  

• Moving only a subset of sources for one project

What to check before you upload the file

A quick check here saves cleanup later, especially if you are importing a lot of sources at once.

✅ Title formatting looks sane
✅ Authors are present
✅ Year is correct
✅ Duplicate entries are not obvious
✅ File matches the project scope

<ProTip title="📌 Heads Up:" description="Spot check titles, authors, and years before upload. A quick metadata check now saves cleanup later." />

Upload the file to Jenni Library

You do not need a complicated workflow here. Just keep it simple and verify the results after upload.

1. Export a BibTeX or RIS file from your database or reference tool.
   
   

2. Open Jenni Library
   
   

3. Click upload
   
   

4. Select BibTeX or RIS
   
   

5. Upload the file, then verify your sources appear in your library.

If anything looks off after import, do a quick metadata cleanup before you start drafting. It is much easier to fix source details early than to untangle citation issues later.

Add a DOI or upload PDFs for quick one-off sources

Not every source needs a full library import. Sometimes you just need to add one paper fast, or bring in a few PDFs for the project you are working on right now. This is where DOI and PDF uploads can be useful, as long as you do a quick metadata check after import.

Add a DOI when you only need one paper fast

This is a good option when you only need to pull in one source and you already have the DOI. If your Jenni Library supports adding a source by DOI, this can be one of the fastest ways to add a paper without exporting a file first.

1. Copy the DOI
   
   

2. Open Jenni Library
   
   

3. Choose the DOI add method
   
   

4. Paste the DOI
   
   

5. Verify the metadata looks correct

Upload PDFs when that is what you have

PDF upload works well when you have a small batch of papers or a few one off sources you want to add quickly. It is a practical fallback when you do not have a clean Zotero, Mendeley, BibTeX, or RIS path ready.

Just keep in mind that PDF metadata can vary. Some PDFs import cleanly, while others may need a quick fix for titles, authors, or publication details.

✅ Upload in small batches first
✅ Use clear filenames before upload
✅ Check title and author fields after import
✅ Fix obvious metadata issues early

<ProTip title="🗂️ Quick Tip:" description="Upload PDFs in small batches first so it is easier to catch metadata issues before your library gets crowded." />

Keep your Jenni Library clean after import so citing stays easy

Getting sources into Jenni is only half the job. The real win comes from keeping your library clean enough that you can find the right source fast, trust your metadata, and keep writing without stopping to clean things up mid-draft.

Keep collections focused by project

A focused library is easier to scan, easier to verify, and way easier to cite from when you are deep in writing mode. Instead of dumping everything in at once, group sources around what you are actively working on.

• Keep one collection for the current paper, assignment, or review
  
  

• Add older or unrelated sources later only if you actually need them

Do a quick cleanup before your library gets crowded

✅ Remove obvious duplicates before they pile up
✅ Check titles, authors, and year on newly added sources
✅ Rename messy PDFs early so they are easier to spot later
✅ Trim irrelevant sources that do not belong to the current project
✅ Verify imported sources match what you are actually writing about

Build a repeatable habit for adding new sources

1. Add new sources in small batches instead of dumping everything in at once.
   
   

2. Do a quick metadata check right after import while the sources are still fresh in your head.
   
   

3. Place them into the right project collection before you start drafting again.

<ProTip title="🧹 Cleanup Tip:" description="Keep your Jenni Library focused on what you are actively writing about. Smaller, cleaner libraries are easier to cite from." />

If you are working on a review heavy project, this pairs well with How to Organize Your Research Library for a Systematic Review

Add sources your way, then keep your library clean

The best import method depends on what you already have, whether that is a Zotero or Mendeley library, a BibTeX or RIS export, a DOI, or a few PDFs. Start with the cleanest path available, then do quick metadata checks so your sources are easier to cite while you write.

<CTA title="Bring Your Sources Into Jenni, Then Start Writing" description="Add a focused set of sources to Jenni so your references stay organized while you draft and revise." buttonLabel="Sync My Library" link="https://app.jenni.ai/register" />

Start small with one project collection, one export file, or a few PDFs first. Once your library looks clean in Jenni, you can add more sources without making the workflow messy.