Desktop EndNote is a reference management programme. It is available on campus via the University's Apps Anywhere service. It can also be installed on personal computers by requesting the installation file and product key from IT Services. We recommend it for research students and staff.
On the UK campus EndNote is available via the Apps Anywhere service.
To install it on your own computer or a University-owned computer, request it via the DTS Self-Service Portal. Once logged in to the portal select 'Place a Request' and 'User Support', then 'Software - EndNote'. Note that if you leave the University you must remove EndNote from your own computer.
Staff in Malaysia should email it@reading.edu.my to arrange installation on their work computer.
Direct export is the easiest way to get references from a database into your EndNote library.
Most databases offer an option to export to EndNote, or an 'RIS' format export option. Note: this will not download the full-text.
See our getting started guide for instructions on using direct export:
For information about exporting from a specific database, take a look at the information page for it via our databases list:
If a database does not provide a direct export feature it is usually possible to save the references in a suitable format that can be imported into EndNote.
The import option will map the information in each downloaded reference to the corresponding fields in EndNote. Because the information in each database is organised in different ways, there is a different import option for each database. EndNote comes with a range of import options, others are available to download for Desktop EndNote from the EndNote Import Filters download site (see below).
Once your references are imported, open a couple to make sure the fields have been filled in correctly.
See the following guide for step-by-step instructions:
To find out which import option to use for your database:
Getting additional filters for importing references
If the filter you need is not included in the list provided with EndNote, check whether it is available to download using the link below.
Saving your additional filters
If you download a filter you must save it into a location where EndNote can find it. There are three options depending on the computer you are using:
Option 1: for your own computer
Save it to the Filters folder in the EndNote program folder on your C: drive (or Applications if using a Mac). If you do not have administrative rights on the computer you might not be able to do this. Try Option 2 instead.
Option 2: for a University-owned computer you don’t have admin rights on
Save the Filter to your personal folders on your computer. For Windows 10 users this is in Documents\EndNote\Filters (you might need to create the EndNote\Filters folders if they don't already exist). For earlier versions of Windows save to C:\Users\[Your user name]\Documents\EndNote. You will need to create a folder called 'Filters' in this location (if it doesn't already exist).
Option 3: for computers in the PC labs on campus
Save the style to the following location in your N drive: \\ndrive\[Your user name]\My Documents\EndNote. You will need to create a folder called 'Filters' in this location (if it doesn't already exist).
On most databases you will see the 'Search for item at Reading' button next to references:
Clicking on this button searches for the item in our online subscriptions, and will link you directly to the full-text where available.
In many cases, when opening the full-text, a side-bar appears on the right of the screen with the University logo. Click on this and the click on the 'Export' button (both highlighted in red on the images below). Select the option to Export 'Directly to EndNote, Procite or Reference Manager' and then 'Export'. This will take the reference details and add them to your EndNote library.
The EndNote Online search uses connection files to allow you to connect directly to a database from within EndNote and download into your Library.
We do not recommend using the EndNote Online Search to find references because:
Searching a database directly and then using Direct export to get the references into your library is the best method, or downloading and importing references if the first option is not available.
However, the Online Search can work well when searching Library catalogues. It is possible to use it to download records from our own catalogue. For best results make sure that your search is specific and well constructed - too general a search might retrieve thousands of useless records and it not easy to refine your search once you have your results.
See our guide for instructions on using the Online Search to download references from our catalogue.
If you don't already have the 'U Reading' in the list of Online Search connections you will need to download our connection file via the link below. You must save the connection file to a location where EndNote can find it. There are two options:
Option 1. Save it to the Connections folder in the EndNote program folder on your C: drive. If you do not have administrative rights on the computer you might not be able to do this. Try Option 2 instead.
Option 2: Save the style to your personal folders on your computer. For Windows 10 users this is in Documents\EndNote\Connections (you might need to create the EndNote\Connections folders if they don't already exist). For earlier versions of Windows save to C:\Users\[Your user name]\Documents\EndNote. You will need to create a folder called 'Connections' in this location (if it doesn't already exist). We also recommend renaming the file as you save it to 'U Reading' (removing the hyphen from the name) so that it files alphabetically with the other connection files.
Please note that this is connecting to the Unicorn catalogue (which just holds details of the University Library books and journals) and not the Enterprise catalogue.
When EndNote is installed on a computer an extra toolbar is added to the ribbon in Word. This allows you to search for specific references in your library and insert them into your Word document. The bibliography is automatically created at the end of the document. You can select from a large list of popular referencing styles. It is also possible to download more referencing styles and edit styles to create your own.
See the step-by-step instructions on using EndNote with Word in our guide:
When EndNote is installed it should automatically add the Cite While You Write toolbar in Word.
If the EndNote tools have never appeared in Word try the solutions given in the Working With Word Processors / CWYW FAQs on the EndNote website.
If you've had the tools and they have disappeared, try the following:
The EndNote and Mendeley plugins in Word don't play nicely together, so you might experience problems if you have both installed. The most common error message seen is 'Cannot edit range' when trying to insert a citation from EndNote into a Word document.
To stop this happening you have to disable the Mendeley plugin by following these steps:
You will need to do this every time you open a document in Word.
Desktop EndNote comes with a large number of styles to choose from. You can also download extra styles to add to EndNote, or edit existing styles to create your own.
There are three options depending on the computer you are using:
Option 1: for your own computer
Save it to the Styles folder in the EndNote program folder on your C: drive. If you do not have administrative rights on the computer you might not be able to do this. Try Option 2 instead.
Option 2: for a University-owned computer you don’t have admin rights on
Save the style to your personal folders on your computer. For Windows 10 users this is in Documents\EndNote\Styles (you might need to create the EndNote\Styles folders if they don't already exist). For earlier versions of Windows save to C:\Users\[Your user name]\Documents\EndNote. You will need to create a folder called 'Styles' in this location (if it doesn't already exist).
Option 3: for computers in the PC labs on campus
Save the style to the following location in your N drive: \\ndrive\[Your user name]\My Documents\EndNote. You will need to create a folder called 'Style' in this location (if it doesn't already exist).
Harvard for Reading
The Harvard style provided with EndNote does not match the style required by the science departments in the University. We have created an amended version which you can download below.
Vancouver for Reading
This style has been amended for the Pharmacy Department to omit the URL in journal references. There's also a version to use with Footnotes.
OSCOLA for legal citations
EndNote does not come with OSCOLA aready installed. You can download the relevant style files from the OSCOLA website, along with guidance on their installation and use on Desktop EndNote.
APA 7th
This new version of the APA style does not automatically come with EndNote at the moment, but you can download it using the link below:
It is possible to edit existing styles within EndNote to create your own. This can be useful if you are submitting an article to a specific journal and their style is not available for EndNote. In this case choose a similar style and edit it. See our guide for detailed instructions.
It is possible to attach PDFs to references in EndNote so everything is stored together. The PDFs you attach will be stored in the Data folder associated with your library.
For more information about these options see the following guide:
You can also set up automatic PDF attachment. See this guide from University of Canterbury for details:
If you have an existing set of PDFs you can try importing them into EndNote to create the reference in your library. The full reference will only be created if the PDF has an embedded DOI , so it works best for more recent articles.
1. Open your EndNote library and click File -> Import -> File
2. Click Choose and locate a PDF you wish to convert to a reference in your EndNote with the PDF attached. If you have a collection of PDFs saved in one folder, choose File -> Import > Folder.
3. Choose PDF as your import option. Click the Import button.
Where the DOI is not present the PDF will still be imported but the reference will not be created. If this happens delete it from your library and download the reference from a database and manually attach the PDF.
It is possible to share a library with up to 100 people. All you need is Endnote X7.2 or higher and an Endnote online account. You can only share one library because you can only have one library associated with an online account. If you want multiple online accounts you will need to use a different email address to register for each one. As multiple people will be working on the library it is a good idea to take frequent back ups by going to File > Compressed Library.
Watch this short video to find out more.
This feature uses the title, abstract and references from your library to suggest relevant journals for your paper. Find out more using the link below.
We have created step-by-step guides for the most commonly used features of Desktop EndNote. These guides are worded for Windows PC users, although many of the instructions will be the same for the Mac version of the software. All guides are in PDF format.
Introductory guides
Use these three guides first to get you started with the basics of populating your EndNote library and using it with Word.
Further guides
The rest of our guides cover specific features which you might need as you become more experienced with EndNote.
Using Desktop EndNote for a systematic review
Follow the tips in this step-by-step guide for managing your systematic review search results using Desktop EndNote:
Guides for Mac users
The Mac version of EndNote 20 has be released recently. Clarivate have yet to produce their own guidance. We will link to it from here once it is available. We don't produce in-house guides for the Mac Version.
We have created step-by-step guides for the most commonly used features of Desktop EndNote. These guides are worded so that they can be followed when working on Information Technology managed PCs on campus. They can also be followed when using your own computer, you will just need to save your library to another drive as the N: drive will not be available. All guides are in PDF format.
Introductory guides
Use these three guides first to get you started with the basics of populating your EndNote library and using it with Word.
Further guides
The rest of our guides cover specific features which you might need as you become more experienced with EndNote.
Using Desktop EndNote for a systematic review
Follow the tips in this step-by-step guide for managing your systematic review search results using Desktop EndNote:
Guides for Mac users
We recommend the following external resources for getting started with using EndNote on a Mac.
We run regular workshops in term-time which cover all aspects of using Desktop EndNote.
If you are unable to attend a workshop, you can teach yourself using the step-by-step guides, or contact your Academic Liaison Librarian for a 1-1 introduction.
Watch this video to find out how to get references from our Summon discovery service into EndNote.
Your subject liaison librarian can offer individual help on using EndNote.
They can offer a 1-1 tutorial, or advice on specific questions. Contact them to make an appointment. The link below gives a list of liaison librarians for each department.
For technical issues contact Clarivate Analytics directly:
These FAQs have been checked and updated for Version 20.
Existing references held in another bibliographic management package
If you have an existing list of references held in another bibliographic management package (for instance, RefWorks), you can add them to EndNote. Import filters are provided for common formats used by other referencing software packages, including the “RefMan (RIS)” filter for references saved in the generic RIS format.
Existing references in a Word document created using Word's own referencing tab
If you have references in a Word document inserted using Word's own referencing tab you can transfer them to a Desktop EndNote library.
Existing references manually entered into a Word document or in another unstructured way
If your references are held in a Word document, or in an arbitrary or inconsistent format, it may be very time consuming to import your references into EndNote. Check the internal help within EndNote, or the Manual, for guidance on Importing reference data.
If you only have a small number of references to import (less than 50), you might find it faster and easier to do the following:
Updated December 2020
It is recommended that you just have one EndNote library and use the groups feature to create sub-sets of references. If you already have more than one library follow these steps to merge them.
Updated December 2020
If you have been using EndNote on a University PC and do not have a personal copy of EndNote you can take all the information stored - including notes and abstracts - with you. There are three ways of doing this.
1. Transfer references into another package
There are a number of free reference management packages available (for example Mendeley, Zotero and CiteULike) which you may find useful if you no longer have access to EndNote. However you can export your EndNote references exported in the standard RIS format – named “RefMan (RIS) Export” – which can be read and imported by most other reference management packages:
2. Transfer all your references to EndNote online
See 'Desktop EndNote guide 9: syncing desktop and online EndNote' and sharing libraries for guidance on this method. You will have access to an enhanced version of EndNote online for a year, after which your account will become an EndNote basic account. For more information on the differences between the versions see - EndNote versions compared.
3. Transfer into a Word document
Updated December 2020
Alternatively staff can select import references from the bookmarks they have created in Talis:
Updated December 2020
Updated December 2020
These FAQs have been checked and updated for Version 20.
Updated December 2020
How do I get EndNote to format a corporate author correctly? It is formatting World Bank as Bank, W.
Just put a comma after the name in the author field, for example:
World Bank,
If your corporate author is made up of initials and has a comma in the name, you will need to put two commas in place of the single one to fool EndNote into formatting the name correctly.
For example:
M & P, Inc. should be entered in EndNote as M & P,, Inc.
This makes EndNote treat M & P as a surname thus formatting the name correctly to display as M & P. Inc.
Updated December 2020
If your citations within your bibliography look like this example: {Cooper, 2007 #29} and your bibliography does not appear at the end of your document, you are displaying “Unformatted” or “Temporary citations”.
Select the style you want from the Style pick list on the EndNote ribbon in Word, and then select Update Citations and Bibliography. This will change the temporary citations in the text to the style you have chosen and create the bibliography at the end of your document.
December 2020
I want to be able to cite multiple references in the text with commas between them and "and" between the 2nd and last. As for example (Smith et al, 2002, Jones, 1999 and Bloggs, 1986). How can I do this?
There is a way to do this but it has to be done to each citation when they have been created in Word. It cannot be done through the output style on EndNote.
Updated December 2020
My paper contains multiple references to the same author. In some references the author might be described as 'Benjamin', whereas in others as 'Ben'. EndNote regards Benjamin and Ben as two different authors and in the citation includes the first name to distinguish them. How do I get EndNote to treat Benjamin and Ben as the same person?
However, if you are using a style such as APA which requires different authors with the same surname and first initial to be distinguished from one another, you should instead edit the individual entries in your library to ensure the same form of name is used for each author.
Updated December 2020
It is simply done by altering a setting in the output style you are using. See our guide to for an introduction to editing styles.
This works well if your primary sources are all the same sort of reference type. If they are different you could add a customised field or you could use the field 'type of work' and add it as a first sort criterion. Once formatted, simply add the heading as appropriate in the bibliography.
Further information in the Endnote Help - look up 'Sort order: bibliographies and multiple citations'.
Updated December 2020
These FAQs have been checked and updated for Version 20.
If you have written a section of a paper in collaboration with others, or separate chapters of a dissertation or book, you can merge the text and have one bibliography at the end.
This procedure will create a formatted Microsoft Word document with one bibliography at the end.
Further information can be found in the EndNote Help under " How to merge chapters into one document in Word".
Updated January 2021
If you have EndNote on both your work and home computers and you want to work on one Word document in both places you need to follow these steps:
Get into the habit of syncing your EndNote library each time you start and finish working with it, at work and at home - or set the library to sync automatically. This will ensure all versions of your library have identical content. Also, update the citations and bibliography in Word before you start work.
Updated January 2021
If you accidently delete your EndNote library but still have its .data folder you can recover the Library by following these steps:
Updated Janaury 2021
The University's EndNote licence requires you to remove Desktop EndNote when you leave the University. To continue using it you will need to purchase your own licence directly from Clarivate using this link:
Alternatively you could synchronise your desktop library with an EndNote online account and use that instead. Or export the references to use in another reference management system.
Updated January 2021