How to Use Mendeley

Getting started with Mendeley

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Mendeley, import your PDFs, and manage your references efficiently. By the end, you'll be able to create bibliographies quickly and easily.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Mendeley’s website.
2. Click on the "Sign up" button in the top right corner.
3. Fill in your details or sign up using your Google account.
4. Once signed up, log in and download the Mendeley Desktop application from the "Download" section if you prefer using the desktop version. You can also use it directly in your web browser.

Step 2: Your first import

1. Open Mendeley Desktop or the web version.
2. Drag and drop your PDF files into the central area of the Mendeley interface.
3. Mendeley will automatically extract the metadata from the PDFs. Check the details in the right sidebar to ensure everything is correct (author names, titles, etc.).
4. If any information is missing or incorrect, click on the field to edit it manually.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Organise your references by creating folders. Click on "Create Folder" in the left sidebar and name it according to your project.
2. Drag and drop references into your newly created folder for easier access.
3. Use the "Search" bar at the top to quickly find specific references or keywords.
4. When you’re ready to create a bibliography, select the references you want, right-click, and choose "Copy as" to select your desired citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

Pro tip

Use the "Watch Folder" feature to automatically import new PDFs from a specific folder on your computer. Go to "File" > "Watch folder" to set this up. This saves time by eliminating the need to drag and drop files manually.

Common mistake to avoid

Many beginners forget to check the extracted metadata after importing PDFs. Always review the details to ensure accuracy, as incorrect information can lead to citation errors later.