biblatex Error 'cite' undefined: autocite=footnote with biblatex-mla

Question

I would like to use the MLA citation style in footenotes. The following mwe produces the expected result.

\documentclass[11pt]{article}    
\usepackage[backend=biber, style=mla]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{thesis.bib}

\begin{document}
  foo\footcite{gof}
\end{document}

However, instead of the \footcite command I would like to use the \autocite command. So, I change the code as follows.

\documentclass[11pt]{article}
\usepackage[backend=biber, style=mla, autocite=footnote]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{thesis.bib}

\begin{document}
  foo\autocite{gof}
\end{document}

But, this does not compile. I am getting the error:

! Package biblatex Error: Bibliography macro 'cite' undefined.

How can I fix this error and use the MLA-style with autocite=footnote?

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:35

Just go with

\DeclareAutoCiteCommand{footnote}{\footcite}{\footcites}

to let biblatex-mla know what to do with autocite=footnote.

MWE

\documentclass[11pt]{article}    
\usepackage[backend=biber, style=mla, autocite=footnote]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{biblatex-examples.bib}

\DeclareAutoCiteCommand{footnote}{\footcite}{\footcites}

\begin{document}
  foo \autocite{sigfridsson} and\footnote{foo\autocite{sigfridsson}}
\end{document}

Keep in mind that biblatex-mla has not been update for quite some time and a number of internals have changed since the last update, so there are bound to be some problems. See for example URL in footcite mla. It might be worth thinking about doing a switch, but if everything else works for you, don't rush things.

biblatex Error 'cite' undefined: autocite=footnote with biblatex-mla

1 Answers1