Docs · Collaboration
PDF requests
Ask an author who claimed a paper for its full text when no open-access copy exists; authors answer with the PDF or a note.
Asking
On a publication page without an open-access copy, Ask an author for the PDF sends a request to a researcher who claimed the paper. Add a short note; the author is notified and sees the request under PDF requests → Asked of me.
Answering
Authors upload the PDF (shared with the requester alone, through a short-lived link) or decline with a note, for example when publisher terms do not allow sharing. Requesters can cancel pending requests.
Sharing responsibly
Share only what your licence or publisher agreement allows — author manuscripts are usually fine, publisher PDFs often are not. The platform records who shared what with whom.
Related
Something missing or wrong? Tell us.