Document Delivery and Download

Overview

Document Delivery (Literature Download, or litdl) looks for available full-text papers by DOI or title. Retrieve a single PDF immediately, or submit a batch request in research mode and download an archive after processing. Available versions and success rates depend on the paper and the sources currently enabled.

Entry points

After signing in, open “Research Toolbox → Document Delivery” in research mode to view the request list. The standalone Document Delivery page provides an immediate retrieval form for a single paper.

Core features

Download one paper

Enter a DOI or the paper's complete title and choose immediate retrieval. When given a title, the system first matches the paper, then attempts to retrieve its full text. A successful PDF downloads in your browser. Verify the title, authors, and year to confirm that you received the version you need.

Batch download

Create a request in research mode's Document Delivery panel. Paste one DOI or title per line, check the number of recognized entries, enter an email address for notifications, and submit. The batch limit, estimated delivery time, and file retention period are displayed before submission.

You can leave the page after submitting. Return to the request list to view progress for each paper, the number retrieved, and refunds. When processing is complete, download the archive or use the download link in the notification email. Save the files before the link expires.

Billing

• Immediate retrieval: Charged only when retrieval succeeds. A missing full text is not billed as a successful download.
• Submit a request: Credits are deducted upfront according to the number of entries. The portion for papers not retrieved is refunded at settlement. These two actions charge at different times.

Refer to the page for the unit price, upfront deduction, and settlement result. If credits are insufficient, follow the prompt to buy or redeem credits. See Credits and Plans for more details.

Data sources

Open-access versions are queried in the configured source order, for example:

1. Direct publisher links, such as open-access journals from Nature, Elsevier, or Wiley
2. Open-access repositories, such as DOAJ, PMC, Europe PMC, or arXiv
3. Other enabled open-access repositories

Not every paper has an available version. Refer to the result for the specific reason a retrieval failed.

Frequently asked questions

What if nothing is found?

Check the DOI, full title, and year, then try other legitimate access channels. Failed immediate retrieval is not billed as a successful download. For a batch request, check the task details for refunds on papers that were not retrieved.

Will I receive a preprint or the published version?

Versions are returned according to source priority. A direct publisher link usually provides the published version; an open-access repository may provide a preprint or author copy.

How does this relate to Search?

Search results may already include full-text or PDF links. If you have only a DOI, title, or list of papers to retrieve, use Document Delivery directly. Download links from different search sources and files retrieved by Document Delivery may differ.