Here we have answered some of the most common questions that arise at the point of submitting an article in LaTeX. If your question relates specifically to the Springer Nature LaTeX authoring template, please consult the User Manual provided in the .zip package.
How do I identify which submission system I’m using?
Editorial Manager
- Can be identified by the prefix “https://www.editorialmanager.com” in the url, or the banner “em Editorial Manager” at the top of the page after the journal name.
- Compiles files to PDF via TexLive 2018.
eJP
- Can be identified by the prefix “https://mts-” in the url, the banner “manuscripttrackingsystem” at the top of the page, or the logo eJournalPress at the bottom of the page. Typically any submissions to a Nature-branded or Nature Research journal (including npjs, Scientific Data, and Communications journals) are made via eJP.
- Compiles files to PDF via TexLive 2017.
Springer Nature Article Processing Platform
- Can be identified by the prefix “https://submission.nature.com/” in the url, or the Springer Nature logo at the top of the page.
- Compiles files to PDF via TexLive 2021.
How should I upload my bibliography?
Editorial Manager
Either .bbl or .bib files are accepted and should be uploaded as “Manuscript” item types on the file upload screen of Editorial Manager. In both cases the correct bibliography style (.bst) file should also be uploaded and the chosen bibliography file should be referenced within the manuscript (.tex) file. Please note a .bbl file should only be uploaded if referenced (via “import”) in the main manuscript (.tex) file.
eJP
Bibliography files should be uploaded as a “related manuscript file”.
If submitting with .bib the correct bibliography style (.bst) file must also be present.
For both submission systems the most reliable way to submit references without error is to paste the content of a bibliography file (.bbl) into the main .tex document in place of a \bibliography{…} command.
Why does the compiled PDF display "??" in place of cited references?
If references are uploaded according to the guidance above and “??” continues to appear in place of in-line citations; the bibliography file may still be missing or corrupted.
Editorial Manager
One or more files may be missing or incorrectly declared. Check that:
- If the .tex file references a .bib file, ensure that the .bib file is uploaded (as a “Manuscript” item type).
- If a .bbl file has been uploaded, that it is referenced (via “import”) in the .tex manuscript.
- A .bib file is included with the submission.
- The correct bibliography style (.bst) file is present.
Where square boxes or other inline text errors are present it may indicate that special characters have been used. All special characters must be converted into the appropriate TeX code, like \"a, \"o, \"u.
eJP
If submitting with .bib the correct bibliography style (.bst) file must be present.
- Upload .bib and .bst as ‘Related Manuscript Files’
- If a .bbl file is not being recognised please check that the bibliography explicitly contains references as bibitems. This can be achieved by copying the contents (individual bibitems) from the bibliography file into the bibliography environment within the main .tex file.
- Double check that the argument to the relevant bibitem matches the citation in the text before submitting.
If you continue to have problems after trying these tips then the most reliable way to submit references without error is to paste the content of a bibliography file (.bbl) into the main .tex document in place of a \bibliography{…} command.
Why are my figures missing?
Figures will be missing from the compiled PDF if:
- Subfolders (or subdirectories) have been used. All files should be included in a single directory when uploading the submission.
- If the full path to the image in the “\includegraphics” command is included [e.g. \includegraphics{C:\Users\username\Pictures\figure_1.jpg}].
To correct this you should use only the local path, e.g. \includegraphics{figure_1.jpg}.
- The wrong option for the graphicx package is used. When compiling in pdflatex use graphicxs without the dvips option \usepackage{graphicx}, not \usepackage[dvips]{graphicx}.
Why do special characters not appear correctly?
- Custom fonts are not supported by either submission system.
- Diacritics, such as German umlauts like ä/ö/ü should be converted into the appropriate TeX code, like \"a, \"o, \"u. Eszett (SS/ß) should be \"s (upper case) or \“z (lower case). If that does not work an alternative code option would be to add brackets: {\"a}, {\"o}, {\"u}, { \"s}, { \"z}.
Which journals can I use the Springer Nature LaTeX authoring template for?
The Springer Nature LaTeX authoring template can be used to prepare your journal article submission to any Springer Nature journal inclusive of Springer, Nature Portfolio, and BMC. The template takes a ‘content first’ approach with minimal formatting. It is designed to promote editorial policy best practice, and move more seamlessly through editorial and production systems. The template is not a comprehensive ‘Guide to Authors’ so you must check journal-level instructions for authors for any specific formatting or style requirements when preparing your manuscript.
Authors preparing submissions for one of the Springer Conference Proceedings, including Lecture Notes in Computer Science should continue to refer to the guidelines and technical instructions provided for the preparation of conference proceedings.
