Search for and add papers
Atlas searches Semantic Scholar and OpenAlex for academic papers. Search by topic, title, author, or identifier, then check the result before adding it to your project.
Search for a paper
- Open the project where you want the paper.
- Select Add a source.
- Enter at least three characters from a topic, title, or author.
- Select Search.
- Open Search filters to narrow the year, citation count, field, publication type, sort order, or provider.
- Check the title, authors, year, venue, and full-text availability in the result.
- Select Add for the paper.
The paper appears as a project source when Atlas can add its available file or page. Open it after processing and check that it contains the paper you selected.
Use a specific paper identifier
Atlas recognizes a DOI, arXiv ID or URL, PubMed ID, OpenAlex ID, Semantic Scholar ID, or PDF URL. Paste the identifier into Add a URL.
Atlas shows a preview when it resolves the identifier. Check the title before adding the source. A paper record can be available even when its full text is not.
When Atlas adds the paper
Atlas uses the result's available PDF URL and identifiers to create the source. If no accessible file or page is available, Atlas may show the paper in search but fail to add usable text.
Recover when a paper is unavailable or incomplete
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Search results are too broad | Search with the DOI, arXiv ID, exact title, or more author and title words. |
| Atlas rejects the identifier | Check the identifier and paste a DOI, arXiv, PubMed, OpenAlex, Semantic Scholar, or PDF reference. |
| The result has no usable full text | Search for another version or upload the PDF directly. |
| Adding the paper fails | Check whether the result includes a PDF or readable page, then try another result for the same paper. |
For processing states after a successful add, see Troubleshoot source processing.