How to Use Paperpile

Getting started with Paperpile

After reading this guide, you’ll be able to set up Paperpile, manage your references, and integrate them seamlessly into your Google Docs documents.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Paperpile's website.
2. Click on the “Get started” button in the top right corner.
3. Sign in with your Google account. Paperpile requires access to your Google Drive to store your references.
4. Follow the prompts to authorise Paperpile to use your Google account. You’ll be taken to your new Paperpile dashboard.

Step 2: Your first reference

1. In your Paperpile dashboard, click on the “Add” button (the plus icon) in the top left corner.
2. Choose “Add papers by identifier” to enter a DOI, PubMed ID, or arXiv ID of a paper you want to import.
3. After entering the identifier, click “Add” to import the reference.
4. You can also drag and drop PDF files directly into Paperpile to add them.
5. Once your reference is added, you can edit the details by clicking on it and selecting “Edit”.

Step 3: Get better results

1. To insert citations in Google Docs, open a document and click on the Paperpile add-on from the menu (Extensions > Paperpile > Insert Citation).
2. Search for your reference in the Paperpile window and click “Cite” next to the desired reference.
3. To create a bibliography, go to the same Paperpile menu and select “Insert Bibliography”.
4. Adjust your citation style by clicking on the “Settings” gear icon in the Paperpile sidebar to choose from various citation formats.

Pro tip

If you regularly work with a specific group of papers, create a folder in Paperpile. You can do this by clicking on the “Folders” icon in the left sidebar and selecting “New Folder”. This way, you can organise your references and access them quickly.

Common mistake to avoid

Many users forget to authorise Paperpile to access their Google Drive during the setup. If you encounter issues, ensure you have granted the necessary permissions by checking your Google account's security settings.