# Choose a citation style

Use the style catalog or create a custom style from a file or example.

One citation-format setting applies across chats, notes, and exports. Choose the style your journal or institution requires before preparing your final output.

## Choose from the catalog [#choose-from-the-catalog]

1. Open **Settings > Preferences**.
2. Under **AI and agents**, open **Citation format**.
3. Search by style or journal name and select the result.

You can also open **Citation format** from a note's menu. It changes the same global preference. Correct missing authors, dates, or identifiers in the source's **Details** before judging its formatted reference.

## Upload a custom style [#upload-a-custom-style]

1. Open the custom citation-style option in Preferences.
2. Choose **Upload .csl** and select your Citation Style Language file. The uploader also accepts XML.
3. Check the rendered preview.
4. Enter a style name and click **Save style**.

A CSL file describes how citations and bibliographies are formatted. Use a valid style file rather than renaming a Word or PDF file to `.csl`. The uploader accepts files up to 512 KB.

## Generate from an example [#generate-from-an-example]

Paste one reference formatted exactly as you want it, then choose **Generate from example**. Inspect the preview. Use the refinement field and **Revise** to request changes such as initials instead of full names or omission of the DOI. Name and save the style when the preview is right.

A generated style needs checking against your actual publication requirements. Test several source types, especially if the example only covers journal articles. See [reference lists](/guides/reference-lists) and [export](/guides/export).