Help:Cite errors/Cite error ref no key

This page will help you to fix the cite error message:

• 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.
• For basic information on the footnotes system, see Referencing for beginners; for advanced help, see Footnotes.

Overview

Further information: Wikipedia:Manual of Style (footnotes)

A footnote used multiple times may be defined with a name:

<ref name="foo">content</ref>

To invoke a named footnote:

<ref name="foo" />

Names for footnotes and groups are case sensitive. They may not be a numeric integer. The quotes are optional unless the name or group includes non-ASCII characters or a space, punctuation or other mark. Quote enclosed names may not include a less-than sign (<) or a quote symbol ("). It is recommended that names and groups be kept simple and restricted to the standard English alphabet and numerals.

Note that any quotation marks placed around the ref name must be straight quotes (") rather than curly quotes (“ or ”). Curly quotes are standard for word processing programs and can show up when drafts are cut and paste from word processing programs.

Issues and resolution

A named reference has a malformed name. This is produced by a construct like <ref /> or by an invalid footnote name; either create a full reference such as <ref>content</ref> or give the tag a name like <ref name="refname" />.

Names for footnotes and groups are case sensitive. They may not be a numeric integer. The quotes are optional unless the name or group includes non-ASCII characters or a space, punctuation or other mark. Quote enclosed names may not include a less-than sign (<) or a quote symbol (").

It is recommended that names and groups be kept simple and restricted to the standard English alphabet and numerals.

Examples

In this example, reference 1 improperly starts with <ref />:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.<ref/>Reference 1</ref> Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.<ref>Reference 2</ref> Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

==References==
{{reflist}}

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.Reference 1</ref> Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.