Resolve Incomplete References with Crossref Simple Text Query

Prepare one identifiable reference at a time

Copy each reference into a separate local row with the citing article identifier and original reference number. Preserve the unedited string. Remove line breaks introduced by PDF wrapping in a working copy, especially where a break separates pages, initials, or a journal title. Crossref recommends one reference per line with a blank line between references in a batch.

After submitting the working text, inspect the candidate DOI against the author, title, journal, year, and locator. A close title can belong to an editorial, correction, translated item, or conference abstract. Open the candidate landing page and compare details that distinguish the intended document. Keep multiple candidates when the source citation lacks enough information.

Audit a hypothetical batch

Of 30 reference strings, 20 have a candidate confirmed on the publisher page. Six return competing candidates and four have no useful candidate. A second check resolves two of the six. The audit now contains 22 confirmed matches and eight unresolved references. The confirmed fraction is 73.3%, conditional on this batch and its verification criteria.

Attach the chosen DOI to the original reference row and retain the reason for accepting it. For unresolved entries, save the strongest remaining identifying clue, such as a page range, trial acronym, or cited institution. Repeating the same weak query without that new evidence creates activity without improving identification.

Crossref Simple Text Query instructions

Related worksheet: Search-alert reconciliation worksheet.

Source checked on 5 November 2026.