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Introduction to EndNote

pile of papers

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • explain the importance of EndNote for your research.
  • optain a copy of EndNote.
  • create an EndNote library.

Why use EndNote?

EndNote allows you to create your own reference library. This library can be used to store the bibiographical details relating to the articles and books that you use. When it comes time to write your thesis, you can employ the library to insert references into your text and produce your bibliography. EndNote will save you hundreds of hours over the course of your research.

EndNote allows you to:

  • master a range of referencing styles
  • manage references and footnotes
  • create perfectly formated bibliographies.

EndNote works in concert with Microsoft Word, greatly simplifying the process of producing long documents, such as an academic journal article or thesis.

Obtaining EndNote

EndNote is free all UNE staff and for Honours (including students in LS400, RUSC490, NR490 and GEPL455), postgraduate and higher degree students at UNE. For information on how to obtain your copy of EndNote, go to the About EndNote page elsewhere on the Library site.

Opening EndNote

After installing EndNote, you will find an EndNote icon on your desktop.

To start EndNote, click on this icon. The first time you use EndNote, you will see a message asking you if you wish to integrate your copy with EndNoteWeb. Click on the Cancel button. Then, EndNote will display the dialogue box in Figure 1.

Click on the Close button or click on Create a new library and then click on OK.

getting started

Figure 1: Initial dialogue box

What is an "EndNote Library"?

Library is the term used by EndNote to describe the file you create to hold your set of references.

Multiple libraries can be maintained, but this is not recommended as this can create problems later on.

Creating your first Library

Choose New from the File menu to begin the process of creating your first library.

You will see the following dialogue box (Figure 2), with Untitled.enl as the name of the new library.

new library dialogue box

Figure 2: New Library dialogue box

To save your new library, follow these steps.

  • Choose a location for your new EndNote libary.
  • In the File name box, type a name for your library.
  • Click on the Save button.

You should now see Figure 3.

new library window

Figure 3: New Library window

The Preview Pane at the bottom of the library window will show you how your formatted references will appear. To close the Preview Pane, click on Hide Preview.

More about EndNote libraries

The file extension .enl stands for EndNote Library. A library is just a file on your computer, like any other file. It can be copied, renamed, deleted, moved to another folder or compressed.

Make back-up copies of your library regularly and store them on another drive.

The best way to do this is to choose the Save A Copy command from the File menu. This will create a copy of your library in the same folder. If something happens to your original library, you can open the copy and continue working.

When EndNote creates the library, it also creates a .DATA folder which contains different files used when managing figures, tables and images as well as copies of articles attached to your library. When you copy the library, a copy of the DATA file should be made automatically.

Inputting references manually

Find a journal article which is relevant to your research and use this article to create the first record in your new library.

Click on the New Reference icon New Reference Icon on the main toolbar. You should now see Figure 4.

new reference window

Figure 4: New Reference Window

Note that Journal Article is the default Reference Type. Click on the down arrow at the right of the Reference Type box to see the other reference types (eg Book, Computer Program, Electronic Source, Artwork)

With Journal Article as the option in the Reference Type box, input the details for the article. You do not have to add information in every field. However, it is essential that you include all the information that you will need for your bibliography.

Use the Tab key on your keyboard to go from one field to the next, or click in the field you require.

When you have finished typing the data for your reference, it should look something like Figure 5.

new journal reference

Figure 5: Journal Article Reference

Close the reference by clicking on the Close button at the top of the window. You will be prompted whether you wish to save the reference or not.

"Garbage In, Garbage Out"

Later you will learn about the EndNote output styles. These can be used to produce a bibliography or reference list formatted according to any style you choose. The output styles can only format your data correctly if you have entered the data correctly in your library.

Remember these points when entering data:

  • Author names should be entered in the following form: Smith, Joan M.
  • If there is more than one author, each author must be entered on a separate line (just press the Enter key on your keyboard after entering the author's name. Macintosh users should press the Return key).
  • Corporate authors must be entered with a comma at the end (eg Queensland Health,).
  • Don't use different font styles, such as bold or italic. EndNote will apply these when the time comes.
  • Fields such as Keywords, Abstract, Notes, Research Notes and Label are for your use. EndNote does not require you to enter any information in these fields.

Be consistent when you enter author names. Smith, Joan M., Smith, J., Smith, J. M. and Smith, Joan should be listed your EndNote library in the same way if they are the same person. Otherwise, EndNote will regard them as different authors.

Now find, a book that is relevant to your study and practice inputting the details relating to this item.

Click again on the New Reference icon New Reference Icon on the main toolbar, select the appropriate Reference Type from the pull-down menu (eg Edited Book or Book), and input the data.

A reference for an edited book should look something like Figure 6. In this case, the book is one with a number of editors.

edited book reference

Figure 6: Edited Book Reference

When you are finished, close the reference by clicking on the Close button at the top of the data entry window. You should now be looking at the Library window and there should be two completed references.

You are now ready to proceed to the next part of the module: Importing and copying references into EndNote.