Downloading a project

This page explains how to export Overleaf projects as a .zip file or download just the final typeset PDF. Each process is explained step-by-step but a quick guide is also provided.

Projects downloaded from Overleaf are provided as a .zip file. The .zip file will contain the source files only. It does not include the final typeset PDF, which must be downloaded separately after successful compilation.

Downloading the PDF file

There are two options for downloading the PDF file.

Option 1

Select the Menu button ([画像:OLmenu.png]) in the upper-left of the editor window:

From within the Download section of the menu displayed, select the PDF icon:

Depending on your browser and its configuration, the typeset PDF is saved to your Downloads folder. By default, the downloaded PDF will have the same name as your Overleaf project.

Option 2

From within the PDF display window, select the Download PDF icon to the right of the Recompile button:

Depending on your browser and its configuration, the typeset PDF is saved to your Downloads folder. By default, the downloaded PDF will have the same name as your Overleaf project.

Downloading Overleaf projects

Here we show how to download your current project as a .zip file, or how to download multiple projects as a single .zip file inside of which there are further .zip files, one for each project.

Downloading your current project as a `.zip` file

Select the Menu button ([画像:OLmenu.png]) in the upper-left of the editor window:

From within the Download section of the menu displayed, select the Source icon:

The project source code will be downloaded as a .zip file which is usually, depending on your browser, saved to your Downloads folder. By default, the .zip file will have the same name as your Overleaf project.

Downloading multiple projects as a `.zip` file

In the editor, select the Back to your projects icon (OLbacktoprojects.png):

From your list of projects, select those you wish to download. Next, choose the Download icon on the right to initiate download of the .zip file containing your projects:

Including a `.bbl` file (for journal submissions)

Some journal-submission processes ask for the $\LaTeX$ -generated .bbl file—an auxiliary file containing the formatted bibliography data—to be included with the article source files of $\LaTeX$ submissions. On Overleaf, .bbl files, and any other auxiliary files created during compilation, are "cached" but there are two ways to access the .bbl files:

Option 1: Using the Other logs and files dropdown menu, or
Option 2: Downloading via Overleaf’s arXiv submission process

Option 1: Using "Other logs and files"

Follow these steps to download just the .bbl file generated for your project:

Select the file icon (Logs and output files) next to the Recompile button:

Within the Logs and output files view, select Other logs and files to access the .bbl file and any other generated files:

Select the project’s .bbl file, called output.bbl, to download it.

Option 2: via Overleaf’s arXiv submission process

The full project source files, including the .bbl file, can also be downloaded via the arXiv-submission process as shown in the following step-by-step guide.

Select Submit in the top menu:

Overleaf displays the Submit window which lists Overleaf’s publishing partners. Scroll down until you reach the Online Repositories section which contains arXiv:

From within the arXiv section, select Submit your paper to the arXiv:

Don't worry, selecting this option this will not immediately send the project files to arXiv; instead, it displays another window which lets you download your article, complete with .bbl file, for onward submission to arXiv:

Finally, select Download project ZIP with submission files (e.g. .bbl) which will initiate the download process.

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Last updated 3 months ago

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