How to Use EndNote

Getting started with EndNote

In this guide, you will learn how to set up EndNote for managing your research and citations. You’ll be able to import references, organise your PDFs, and create bibliographies quickly.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to endnote.com.
2. Click on the “Sign Up” button located in the top right corner.
3. Fill in the required fields, including your email address and password. Confirm your email to activate your account.
4. Once logged in, you can access the web interface to start managing your references.

Step 2: Your first reference

1. From the dashboard, click on “Collect” in the top menu.
2. Select “Import References” and choose the database you want to import from (like PubMed or Google Scholar).
3. Follow the prompts to import your selected references. Make sure to select the right format (usually BibTeX or RIS).
4. To add a reference manually, click “New Reference” under the “Collect” menu. Fill in the details and click “Save”.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use the “Research Assistant” feature by clicking on “Tools” in the top menu, then select “Research Assistant”.
2. Upload the PDF of the paper you want summarised.
3. Click “Summarise” to get key insights and highlights from the document.
4. Organise your references into groups by selecting “Groups” from the left sidebar, then clicking “Create Group”.

Pro tip

Use the “Find Full Text” feature under the “References” menu. This can automatically search for and attach PDFs of the references you have in your library, saving you time on manual searches.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid skipping the initial setup for your preferences. Ensure you configure citation styles under “Edit” > “Preferences” before you start adding references, or you may end up with inconsistent formatting in your bibliographies.