Importing references into your EndNote library

EndNote Desktop's importing and exporting tools enable you to efficiently build your EndNote library as you undertake your research.   You can pull references across to your EndNote library from a range of different platforms using one of the three methods below.

Direct export

If you are using a standard bibliographic database platform, such as EBSCO, Engineering Village, Ovid, ProQuest, SCOPUS or Web of Science, use the direct export facility:

  • Instructions vary across databases so follow the on-screen help
  • Look for an Export option on the platform that you are using
  • If EndNote Desktop is not mentioned, choose an RIS format
  • We recommend using either Firefox or Chrome as a web browser
  • For MAC users, there are still technical issues with Safari

Import filters

There are some specialist resources which still require an additional import filter (e.g. BibTeX, RefMan RIS, OpenGrey, Zetoc)

  • Some of these filters are added to the relevant folder of your program files when you download the EndNote Desktop software  
  • It is possible to download and install the latest updates from EndNote
  • Follow the on-screen instructions on how to do this for individual filters or by categories.

Connection files

Connection files may be required for “Library catalogues” (e.g. Jisc Library Hub Discover). Some of these connection files may already be in the relevant folder of your program files.  Follow the on-screen instructions on how to do this for individual filters or by categories.

It is possible to download and install the latest updates from EndNote.

Remember: always check the quality of the data that you have imported, as some resources (e.g. Google Scholar) may omit key information, and you may need to edit the references in your EndNote library. 

Database specific instructions

FindIt@Bham

References can be exported from FindIt@Bham into EndNote Desktop using Export RIS.

Please note: you will need to edit the record as not all the information from the catalogue record is transferred across into EndNote.  It is often better to search a subject database and export directly from there.

For individual FindIt@Bham records

  • View the full record details
  • Click on Export RIS
  • Click on the Download button
  • Save, then Open the RIS formatted file (Google Chrome)
  • In Firefox, Open the file with EndNote application
  • In EndNote, always check the record details for accuracy

Books, book chapters and edited works require particular attention.

  • The reference type should be changed from generic to the most appropriate format type
  • Fields that may need editing include:  joint authors and date of publication/place of publication

For references added to My Favourites in FindIt

First sign in. Then to export “selected records”:

  • Select (tick) the records you wish to Export
  • Click on more […]
  • Choose Export RIS
  • Then on Download button
  • Save, then Open the RIS formatted file (Google Chrome)
  • In Firefox, Open the file with EndNote application
  • In EndNote, always check the record details for accuracy

For individual journal articles

Browzine, our ejournals platform, allows you to export bibliographic details of journal articles into EndNote Desktop using the option to Export citation.

  • Click on Export Citation (scholarly hat icon)
  • Select EndNote RIS
  • Save, then Open the RIS formatted file (Google Chrome)
  • In Firefox, Open the file with EndNote application
  • In EndNote, always check the record details for accuracy

BibTeX

Endnote style for BibTeX (ZIP - 2.87KB)

Use this BibTeX style if you want to export data from your database into a text file that can then be imported into BibTeX.

Cochrane Library

To export references from Cochrane:

  • Log onto the database in the usual way
  • Carry out your search and mark the records that are of interest to you
  • Click on "Export Selected Citation(s)" 
  • Select RIS (EndNote) from pop up window
  • Click on Download
  • If using Chrome, click on save, select file to export into EndNote.  If using Firefox, open citation export with EndNote when prompted
  • References will be exported into your EndNote library

Please Note: This filter works quite well, but not perfectly with all references. When you have imported your references into Endnote check them to make sure all the information is in the correct field. If not, then edit the record as required. 

EBSCO

EBSCO databases cover a wide range of subject areas; see FindIt@Bham for the full list.  All EBSCO databases support direct export to EndNote Desktop.

  • Undertake your search
  • Select the references you want to export into Endnote by clicking on "Add to folder" at the bottom of each reference
  • When you have finished selecting references, click on Go to: Folder View on the right-hand side of the screen
  • Select items by ticking the checkbox at the side of each reference
  • Click on "Export link" at the right-hand side of the screen
  • Select Direct Export to Endnote, ProCite, CITAVI, or Reference Manager
  • Click Save
  • Endnote Desktop will open, and the references will be saved in the library of your choice

Google Scholar

You can directly export from Google Scholar, but you need to set the preferences:

  • Go to Google Scholar
  • Go to Settings
  • Scroll down to the Bibliography Manager
  • Select 'Show links to import citations into' and select EndNote from the drop-down menu
  • When your search results are displayed you will see an option for importing into Endnote
  • Select an item you wish to download and choose "Import into Endnote"
  • You will be prompted to navigate to your Endnote Library
  • In EndNote you will be asked to 'choose an import filter', select Endnote_Import (3) and then click on Choose
  • The reference will be imported into your EndNote Library
  • Check the record, to make sure all the information has come across, edit the record, if necessary

JSTOR

JSTOR uses direct export using the RIS File format. 

  • Conduct a search and select citations by ticking the boxes next to them
  • Click on Export Citation
  • Select format: RIS File (Endnote, ProCite, Reference Manager)
  • Your Endnote Library will open, and the citations will be saved in the Endnote Library of your choice. 

Lexis

Unfortunately it is not possible to import references from Lexis into EndNote Desktop.

OVID

OVID databases include CAB Abstracts, Embase, HMIC, MEDLINE and PsycINFO. In most cases, you can directly export references from Ovid databases into an Endnote Library.  Select 'Complete Reference' from the export options menu to get the best quality records.

There are special instructions for exporting references from HMIC.

In HMIC (Ovid)

  • Do a search in the normal way
  • Select references for export by ticking the checkbox against each reference
  • Click on Export at the top of the results page
  • Select Reprint/Medlars from the dropdown menu in the 'Export to' field
  • Select 'Complete Reference'
  • Click on 'Export citation(s)' button
  • A file download dialog box will open
  • Click on Save and save file to desktop

In EndNote Desktop

  • Click on File > Import > File
  • The Import File dialog box will open
  • Click on 'Choose butto'n in the Import File field, and select your saved file from the desktop
  • From the Import Option field select HealthSTAR (OvidSP) filter from the dropdown menu. If you cannot find this filter from the dropdown menu, click on other filters and navigate to HealthSTAR (OvidSP). This filter seems to work quite well and is better than the HMIC OvidSP filter.
  • Click on Import
  • The references will be imported into Endnote. Check the references to make sure all the information has been imported. This filter is not perfect, you may find some information is missing, if necessary edit the record as appropriate

ProQuest

The ProQuest databases cover a wide range of subject areas, see FindIt@Bham for the full list.  All ProQuest databases support direct export to EndNote Desktop.

  • Sign in to FindIt@Bham and select the ProQuest database you wish to search

In ProQuest

You can export batches of up to 10,000 records from ProQuest databases to EndNote 20 as follows:

  • Sign in to (or register for) a ProQuest My Research account
  • Undertake your search(es)
  • From the results page, select the blue 'Export Results' button
  • From the menu that opens, make sure that the 'Select format' dropdown menu is set to RIS
  • Choose whether to 'Include abstracts' when you export your results
  • Select 'Accept' to agree to the ProQuest Terms and Conditions and initiate the export
  • You'll then be directed back to the original page of search results
  • Go to your 'My Research' area and select 'Saved searches'
  • Click on the 'Export Results' button next to the search you have just undertaken
  • For further instructions, including screenshots, see How can I export all my search results in ProQuest?

PubMed

To export references from PubMed:

  • Do your search and tick the references you want
  • From the "Send To" options, select "Citation Manager"
  • Click on "Create File" and save it to your desktop
  • Open File and the references will be automatically imported in your EndNote Library (make sure you have EndNote Desktop open) 

Europe PubMed Central (PMC)

 To export references from Europe PubMed Central:

  • Undertake your search and add your selected references to the clipboard by clicking on the red cross icon next to them
  • Click on Clipboard
  • Click on Export Citations (RIS)
  • Click on Open - this should bring your references into your EndNote library. 

Web of Science

Web of Science has a direct export to EndNote Desktop.  The Web of Science Core Collection includes the Arts and Humanities Citation Index, Science Citation Index, Social Science Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Index for Science, Conference Proceedings Index for Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Book Citation Index. 

  • Sign in to FindIt@Bham and log into Web of Science (Core Collection)
  • Undertake your search
  • Quick export option: to export all selected records, click on Export, then follow on-screen instructions

You can export batches of up to 1000 records from Web of Science to EndNote 20 as follows:

  • Undertake your search(es)
  • Select 'Add To Marked List' from the menu just above the results display
  • On the menu that appears, either select 'All records on page' (which will save up to 50 results at a time) or manually select the number of records (e.g. Records from 1 to 500 etc.)
  • Select 'Add' for the records to be added to the 'Marked List' folder at the top of the Web of Science display
  • Select the 'Marked List' folder and when the 'Marked List' page opens, select the 'Export' dropdown menu and 'EndNote desktop'
  • On the menu that appears, select the number of records you would like to export into EndNote, and in the 'Record Content' dropdown menu select 'Edit' next to Custom Selection
  • A menu opens allowing you to indicate which fields for each reference you would like to export. Make your selections and select 'Save selections'
  • Select 'Export'. An EndNote file will download from your browser. Open the file, and the references will import into the EndNote library of your choice

Library Services' EndNote Online Guide  has instructions and a recorded video on how to export references from Web of Science into EndNote Online (the web-based version of the software).  

 

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