Filter Used References Latex

When working on a topic, it is common to cite a group of seminal references across several papers.

This may lead to a large .ref file that you re-use in your Latex projects.

Upon finishing the paper, you can filter the unused references to keep your project clean. The following procedure will result in the list of references that were actually cited throughout your text:

• Download and install JabRef
• Open .ref file with the references you want to filer.
• Go to tools > New sublibrary based on AUX file....
• Browse the .aux file generated by your Latex editor. This file holds information about the references used.

• Click on Parse. The result looks as follows:

    keys in library 128
    found in AUX file 41
    resolved 41
    not found 0
    crossreferenced entries included 0
    strings included 0
  

• Finally, click on Generate to create the filtered list of references used in your paper.

Done! Now you can continue using JabRef to polish your references and export a clean (and leaner) .ref file.