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EndNote at QMU: Collecting References

Creating an EndNote library

  • Open EndNote EndNote program from Start menu

  • Choose to create a new library from the pop-up window or choose File -> New. 
  • Give your library a name (or leave it with the default name of My EndNote Library.enl) and save it
  • You will now have an empty library
  • Remember to make a back-up of your library.

Exporting references from databases - direct export plug-in

The EndNote Online direct export plug-in makes it easy to export references directly into your EndNote library from databases. The plug-in will be installed on centrally managed PC labs and should be part of the EndNote desktop default installation.

If needed, you can download it from EndNote Online ->Downloads. The Internet Explorer plug-in will work with Google Chrome. and Edge.  You need to choose to open files rather than save.

Instructions may vary from database to database but generally you will:

  • Carry out a search
  • Mark some records by checking the boxes next to your results or adding them to a marked list
  • Choose to Export or Send to:
  • Choose RIS if you need to specify an export format
  • Open the file and you can then choose the destination for your references: EndNote (desktop) or EndNote Online

Choose Destination box

Importing references

If your results cannot be directly exported into EndNote, you can save your results as a .ris or .txt file and import the file into your EndNote library.

  • At the results page of your database search, select the article(s) you want to export and Save them as a file to your H: drive
  • Open your EndNote library and click on File > Import > File
  • Click on Choose then navigate to your .txt file
  • Click on Open to select it
  • Set the import option to either Reference Manager (RIS) for .ris files or EndNote Import for .txt files and click on Import

Your chosen results will now appear in your EndNote library.

Capturing references using the Bookmarklet Tool

The EndNote Bookmarklet Tool (Capture Reference) scans the bibliographic information presented on a webpage and creates a reference which you can save in either EndNote online or EndNote desktop. This is a particularly useful tool for those journal sites or webpages which do not offer a direct export option on screen.

Capture Reference

The Capture Reference bookmarklet can be found on EndNote online under Downloads.

Note: Multiple authors will be listed on one line - after you've imported your captured reference(s) you'll need to edit the author field and ensure each name is on a separate line and displays correctly (either first name last name OR last name, first name). Also, ensure the Reference Type has been picked up correctly - you can change this before you import or afterwards.

Adding QMU Library Catalogue to your EndNote online search

  1. Click Tools
  2. Click Connection Files
  3. Click Open Connection Manager
  4. Click Get More on the Web
  5. Look down the list or search for Queen Margaret University-Edinburgh (U.K.)
  6. Click Download
  7. Go back to EndNote Desktop
  8. Click Connection Files
  9. Scroll down the list in the window for Queen Margaret University-Edinburgh (U.K.)
  10. Tick the box
  11. You will see Queen Margaret University appear under the dropdown list for Online Search on your EndNote desktop

Manually adding references

You can add references manually to EndNote by choosing File > New Reference or by using the New References button. New reference icon Remember to choose the Reference Type (e.g. book) and to enter each author on a new line.

Exporting references from databases - direct export

Some databases have an EndNote button (e.g. Web of Science)  or direct export option (e.g. EBSCOhost databases) that allows you to directly export references to your EndNote library. 

For example, if using Web of Science: Web of Science

  • Search the database as normal
  • Mark the records you wish to exportWeb of Science Save to EndNote desktop
  • Use the drop-down menu to Save to EndNote desktop
  • EndNote will temporarily store imported references in a folder named Imported References, but they will also appear under All References

Importing PDF files

You can import a single PDF or  folder of existing PDFs into EndNote and EndNote will create references from them if possible.

  • Go to File > Import > Folder (File for a single PDF)
  • Use the Choose button to navigate to the appropriate folder and click on OK
  • Ensure the Import Option is set to PDF and click on Import

If you have a large number of PDFs the import process may take some time.

Please note this feature is dependent on each PDF including full DOI information.

Where the process has been successful you will see your PDFs attached to automatically-generated references. Where the process hasn't worked (as in the top two references pictured below) your PDF will be attached to an empty record. You will need to double-click to open this record and type in the details manually.

Importing a folder of references

Unwanted references?

After importing references into EndNote you may not want to keep them all - you may decide some aren't relevant, etc.

To remove a reference:

Highlight > right click > Move references to trash

Exporting References from Databases to EndNote20 Desktop
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