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I've just successfully (apparently) compiled a TeX document on sharelatex.com, using a .bib file as input.

But to submit to the arXiv, I require a .bbl file. (I don't presently have access to TeXShop or similar programs.) How might I get it? It seems that I get an .aux file with the output, but no indication of a .bbl file.

Do I just need to wait until I have access to TeXShop?

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    Mhhh, I can get a .bbl after a successful run. You can view the .log files and there is an option on the bottom right (more or less) to download auxiliary files, there you can choose the .bbl.
    – moewe
    Dec 22, 2015 at 18:13
  • Specififcally, in the output pane on the right, go to "logs and output files" (the button just next to the big recompile button), then go to the drop-down "other logs and files" where you can get all available files (amongst them the .bbl - of course that only appears if you have a bibliography set-up that needs .bbl files).
    – moewe
    Dec 22, 2015 at 18:16
  • Thanks for the answer. I had to shrink the webpage to see where the .bbl file was listed. Not too smart of me, not to have tried that initially. Now, I'll see if things pass arXiv muster.
    – Paul B. Slater
    Dec 22, 2015 at 18:56

1 Answer 1

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You can download the various auxiliary files using the Other logs and files button:

enter image description here

Choosing the .bbl file there should prompt for a download.

Note that you don't need a front end such as TeXShop to run (La)TeX: simply installing a TeX system (MacTeX based on the mention of TeXShop) is enough.

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  • Currently, for arXiv to parse it correctly, it seems that the basename of the .bbl file should be the same as of the main .tex file. So if your main .tex file is called main.tex, then rename the .bbl file to main.bbl before uploading to arXiv.
    – root
    May 9, 2019 at 0:25
  • As of May 2019, the BBL file should have version 2.8 so that arXiv understands it. Versions 2.9 and 3.0 can cause an error on arXiv (not in all cases; maybe not for all bibliography styles, or something). Overleaf can generate version 2.8.
    – root
    Nov 5, 2019 at 14:22

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