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EndNote 21 for Windows

Instructions for using EndNote for Windows

EndNote Library Basics

There is no limit to the number of references you can add to an EndNote Library. It is important that you keep all the references you cite in a paper or thesis in one Library. 

Each EndNote Library consists of a library file (with the extension .enl) and an associated Data folder (with the extension .data). It is vital that you regularly back-up your Library files.

We recommend you store your EndNote Library files in one of these locations:
  • Documents Folder: Library files stored in the Documents folder can only be accessed by the current user. 
  • EndNote 21 folder in C: Drive for easy access.

Note: You may be prompted to "Select a Reference Library" when downloading files or working with Word documents that contain EndNote citations. It is important that you know where your Library has been saved so that you can navigate to the folder to select it.

Do not run/store your working EndNote Library from a cloud storage service (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud etc.). Functionality of the cloud storage can adversely affect your EndNote Library, possibly deleting the contents all together. You can however, safely use them to keep or share a backup copy of your compressed EndNote library. 
To open EndNote and create a new Library:

Select  Start >  EndNote >  EndNote.
 

If it is the first time you have used EndNote, select Create a new library.

To create a new library from within EndNote:
  1. Go to File > New… (give it a unique name).
  2. Choose a location to save & open your Library eg Documents. (Do not save your library to the cloud as they could become corrupted)
  3. Click Save.

Your blank EndNote Library should open:

1. To open an existing Library

Go to File > Open… [choose the Library] or

launch your Library from where you saved it eg. your desktop.

2. Sample Library

EndNote provides a sample Library (Sample_Library_21) for you to practice on. 

To navigate to the Sample Library:

Go to File >  Open > Open Library choose the file Sample_Library_21.enl.

3. To close a library

Go to File > Close Library or

click the grey or red X at the top right corner of EndNote Library window.

EndNote allows you to organise your references into Groups or Group Sets. Groups are displayed in the Navigation Panel on the left. 

1. Create a Group:

  • From the menu, select Groups > Create Group then
  • Double click New Group on the left hand panel, and type the name of the new group, eg Psychology - Assignment 1.

2. Add references to your group/s:

  • Drag & drop to copy references into the group (Hold Shift key & highlight to select multiple references) OR

  • Highlight required references, then select Groups > Add References to.
  • Highlight the references then then right click on the references select Add References To.

It is imperative you back up your Library regularly so it can be easily recovered should it, or your PC, become corrupt. 

Method 1
  1. With your library open in EndNote, select File >Save a Copy
  2. Navigate to the location where you want to save it
  3. Click the Save button
  4. Ensure both the .enl library file and the .data folder are saved. This should happen automatically.
Method 2
  • With your library open in EndNote, select File >Compressed Library (.enlx)
  • This will create a copy of your library in one file with the extension .enlx
  • Both the .enl library file and the .data folder will be contained in the compressed library.

You could back up by using:

  • an external hard drive. This is the most secure way to back up and the one we recommend.
  • EndNote Online and sync your desktop Library with your EndNote Online Library.

FAQs; number of libraries

Q: Can I create more than one Library?

A: Yes…

However, we recommend you only have one Library and organise your references into groups. 

This is because merging Libraries can get tricky.

FAQs about groups

Q: Can I add a reference to more than one group?

A: Yes. You are adding a 'copy' of the reference to your Group from your main Library.

Q: If I delete a reference from one of my groups, will it be deleted from the Library altogether?

A: No. You are deleting a 'copy' of the reference, so it will only be removed from the Group, not your main Library.

Q: If I delete a reference from my main Library, will it be deleted from my group/s?

A: Yes. This is because you are deleting the main reference.

FAQs about backup

Q: Can I use a cloud storage eg. Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, SharePoint,  to back up  or store my Library so that I can access it anywhere?

A: We strongly advise you avoid using cloud storage such as DropBox to backup or store your EndNote Library. If you wish to access your Library anywhere, set up EndNote Web (only EN21) or EndNote Online (EN20 and previous versions).

Macquarie's Librarians have encountered a number of users with corrupt EndNote libraries caused by the use of Dropbox. ​