Help:Cite errors/Cite error references missing group

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: Help:Footnotes

References may be defined within the reference list:

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=rename1>refcontent1</ref>
<ref name=rename2>refcontent2</ref>
}}

List-defined references may be within groups:

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=rename1>refcontent1</ref>
<ref name=rename2 groupname=groupname>refcontent2</ref>
}}

Issues and resolution

A list-defined reference uses a group name that is not used within any <ref>...</ref> tags. All list-defined references must be used or commented out.

The message also appears if you mistakenly embed {{sfn}} or {{sfnp}} (rather than {{harv}}, {{harvnb}}, or {{harvp}}) inside <ref></ref>:

<ref>{{sfnp|Foo|1999}}</ref>

This message does not show in preview mode.

Bugs

Tracked in Phabricator
Task T26600
Duplicate

Tracked in Phabricator
Task T269531
Resolved

• T26600 The first defined reference that is not invoked will show an incorrect error message.
• T269531 Define a named ref in <references> without using this named ref results into a wrong error message