Help:Cite errors/Cite error references missing key
This page will help you to fix the error message:
<ref>
tag with name "$1"
defined in <references>
is not used in prior text (see the help page).
- If you need help with a particular problem, please discuss it on the article talk page.
- If you have read this help page and find something missing or confusing, please discuss it at the main talk page.
- Please reference this page and the page where you have the problem so we can understand your issues.
Overview[edit]
A footnote used multiple times may be defined with a name:
<ref name="foo">content</ref>
To invoke a named footnote:
<ref name="foo" />
References may also be defined within the reference list:
{{reflist|refs= <ref name=rename1>refcontent1</ref> <ref name=rename2>refcontent2</ref> <ref name=rename3>refcontent3</ref> <ref name=rename4>refcontent4</ref> }}
List-defined references may be invoked by the standard markup or by use of {{r}}.
Issues and resolution[edit]
All references defined in the reference list must be invoked in the content. Unused references must be removed or commented out.
Technical[edit]
Pages with this error message are placed into Pages with incorrect ref formatting. The system message page is at Cite error references missing key.