Skip to Main Content

Managing references: EndNote

A guide to some of the systems you can use to help with referencing

There are two versions of EndNote:

  • Desktop EndNote - a software programme which can be used via the AppsAnywhere service on the campus PCs or requested for installation on personal computers via the DTS Self-Service Portal.
  • EndNote online - a web-based product for storing references and using them in Word. An enhanced version is available to University members by registering whilst on campus.

See Which version should I use? for more detail about the differences between the two versions.

The Library supports the use of both versions of EndNote. There is detailed help on our website, including workshop dates, step-by-step guides and FAQs:

First steps to using Desktop EndNote

  1. Use EndNote via the AppsAnywhere service on campus PCs or request it for installation on personal computers via the DTS Self-Service Portal.
  2. Create a library.
  3. Populate your library by: exporting from compatible databases; using the online search within EndNote; typing in references; or importing references from other databases or from other reference management software.
  4. Use the 'Find full text' feature to add PDFs to your references, or manually attach downloaded articles.
  5. Use the EndNote toolbar in Word to insert and format citations.

Desktop EndNote introductory videos

Video guides to using Desktop EndNote

Watch this series of four videos to get started with using Desktop EndNote. 

Video 1: Getting started

Covers downloading and installing the software, creating a library and synchronising with EndNote Online to create a secure backup.

Video 2: Getting references into EndNote

Covers downloading from Summon, Web of Science and PubMed and typing in references for books and webpages.

Video 3: Organising and editing references

Covers navigating and managing your library, using groups to organise references, editing references and attaching PDFs.

Video 4: Inserting citations and references in Word

Covers using the Word plugin in insert citations and create a reference list, changing the style and creating a plain text copy for submission.

Further help using Desktop EndNote

First steps to using EndNote online

  1. Register for an EndNote online account - do this whilst on campus for access to an enhanced version which connects to the Library catalogue.
  2. Add references to your account (manually; direct export from a database; via the Online search option; or by importing references downloaded from a database).
  3. Install the 'Cite While You Write' plugin for Word from EndNote Online via 'Downloads'
  4. You are now ready to add references to Word documents.

Further help using EndNote Online

Word plugins - conflict between EndNote and Mendeley Desktop

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:

  1. Open the File menu in Word.
  2. Select Options then Add-Ins.
  3. From the Manage list at the foot of the window select Word Add-ins and click Go.
  4. Unselect the Mendeley add-in.

You will need to do this every time you open a document in Word.