EndNote

Thank you for using EndNote!

You can use EndNote to organize all of your reference materials, keep notes about materials, and even copies of the original articles. EndNote can do so much that it can appear overwhelming at first, but we have resources to help you get started.

Tips for getting started with EndNote

• Although you can create as many EndNote libraries as you want, you can only sync and share one of them. It is best to use only one library if you wish to all your references available on all your computers, online, and on your iPhone or iPad, then use groups to organize the library into categories.
• If there are references you do not want to share, you can create a second library for these and organize them by groups. However, you will not be able to sync or share this second library.
• Storing EndNote libraries in cloud-syncing folders such as OneDrive, Box, iCloud, and others, or keeping read-write EndNote libraries on network drives or flash drives, will lead to an increased risk of library corruption. However, it is possible to put an EndNote library on a portable hard drive and use it with multiple computers.
• Use the File > Compress Library command to make backups of your libraries.

macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina and Big Sur users

Apple's macOS versions 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), 10.14 (Mojave), 10.15 (Catalina) and 11.0 (Big Sur) contain features to save the contents of the Documents folder in iCloud and to "optimize" storage by storing less-used files only in iCloud online. EndNote libraries stored in iCloud, even when stored on both the hard drive and online, are subject to corruption over time. If you choose to store your documents in iCloud, we suggest creating a separate folder in your Home folder and saving your EndNote libraries there.  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.

You can find more information on these features on the Apple support site at these locations.

• How to free up storage space on your Mac
• How to use Pro apps [and EndNote] with optimized storage

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, SugarSync, etc. Syncing folders corrupt EndNote libraries over time.

• 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.