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EndNote at Georgia Tech

Getting Started with EndNote at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech affiliates can download EndNote desktop software for free

  1. Go to the OIT Software Distribution site (VPN required off campus)
  2. Click the Download Software link
  3. Select your Affiliation (faculty, student, staff, etc.)
  4. Page will appear with all available software, including EndNote 20 (you can also search for EndNote)
  5. Select Request Software (right hand side) 
  6. Click Proceed to Download and make a note of the product key on the next screen

The Georgia Tech Library offers EndNote workshops multiple times per semester. Check the Library Classes listing on the website.

EndNote 20 is also available through VLAB - check the Library's Computers & Printing page for more information on VLAB.

Find more EndNote details, online training and support at the EndNote website or via Clarivate's research guide for EndNote.

General Safety Notes

  • EndNote libraries are made up of two parts: the .enl file and the .Data folder. These two parts must be kept together; both are needed for the library to work correctly.

  • Keep EndNote libraries on your computer's local hard drive. Storing and editing libraries on a network drive can lead to corruption and performance issues.

  • EndNote libraries should never be stored in cloud-syncing folders such as Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, etc. Syncing folders corrupt EndNote libraries over time.

  • Do not store EndNote libraries in iCloud or any other cloud-syncing folder, and do not store EndNote libraries in the Documents folder if you have selected the option to synchronize documents in iCloud.

  • Mac users: see how to use Pro apps [and EndNote] with optimized storage

  • Uninstall your previous version of EndNote before installing a new version.

  • Synchronize references in EndNote libraries between desktop and laptop computers, the online library, and an iPhone or iPad using EndNote Sync.

  • Share complete EndNote libraries with other EndNote desktop users through EndNote Sync and Library Sharing.

  • You can back up your library for sharing or moving to another computer using the File > Compressed Library command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use one library file for all my references, or separate libraries for different projects?

It may be easiest to use one library for everything and set up a separate group of references for each project, but it's entirely up to you. EndNote works fine with multiple library files.

However, while you can create as many EndNote libraries as you want, you can only sync and share one of them.

I already have a long bibliography that I typed in Word. Can I convert it to an EndNote library?

Unfortunately there's no way to do this automatically. The best way is to search for your references online (if possible) and download them into EndNote.

How do I download search results from my favorite database into EndNote?

Every database works a little differently. In general, the procedure is:

  1. Search the database as usual.
  2. Choose the references you want to save.
  3. Use the database's Save or Export function (may also be called Download, Cite, etc.). There's often a choice to export to EndNote, or save references in a file format that EndNote can read or import, such as RIS.

I tried using EndNote's Online Search feature to search a database, but it asks for a password.

Online Search works best with free databases like Pubmed. Most databases work best by exporting from your browser rather than using EndNote's Online Search function.