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EndNote: Getting Started

How can EndNote help?

EndNote is a bibliographic software program by Clarivate Analytics that allows you to:

  • Create a database or 'library' of references.
  • Search and download references from electronic databases and library catalogues.
  • Store downloaded PDFs with their relevant references.
  • Generate bibliographies in specific styles with the click of a button.
  • Share your library or group of references with your research colleagues.

What is EndNote Online?

EndNote Online is the online version of EndNote. It complements your EndNote desktop library by enabling you to:

  • Work collaboratively and share your EndNote Library.
  • Access your EndNote library from multiple locations without making multiple copies of your library.

Find out more about EndNote Online

Note: You must create a new online account for EndNote X9 even if you have an existing web account with a previous version of EndNote

How to get EndNote

EndNote in WA Health

The WA Health Libraries Network (WAHLiN) have purchased a whole of WA Health licence for EndNote and EndNote Online. 

To have EndNote installed on a work computer staff should log a job with WACHS ICT help desk [Intranet link only] or phone the help desk on 1800 794 748 (M-F)

EndNote and home use 

Staff are entitled to load a copy of EndNote onto a home computer or laptop. The instructions for this can be found in the above tabs.

Compatibility

EndNote X9.3 and 20 are compatible across platforms - you can create your library on a MAC, save it as a compressed library on a USB then open it on a PC (and vice-versa).  

EndNote X9.3 and 20 are NOT backwards compatible with EndNote X9.2 and earlier versions so if you use your libraries at work and at home and have EndNote X9.2 or older at home, this will be a problem. You will need to upgrade older versions of EndNote to continue using your library in multiple locations. See here for further details.

Detailed Windows and Macintosh compatibility and system requirements are listed here

Detailed EndNote X9.3 and EndNote 20 library conversion and backward compatibility information can be found here

For EndNote technical support, please contact Clarivate

Windows & Mac users

EndNote X9.3 and 20 are compatible across platforms - you can create your library on a MAC, save it as a compressed library on a USB then open it on a PC (and vice-versa).  

EndNote X9.3 and 20 are NOT backwards compatible with EndNote X9.2 and earlier versions so if you use your libraries at work and at home and have EndNote X9.2 or older at home, this will be a problem. You will need to upgrade older versions of EndNote to continue using your library in multiple locations. See here for further details.

Windows users

Windows 10 and Office 365 are required for EndNote 20. 

Staff with work computers using Windows 7 can continue to use EndNote X9.3.  EndNote 20 should be automatically deployed when computers are upgraded to the Windows 10 environment.

Clarivate recommends that EndNote libraries should never be stored in cloud-syncing folders such as Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, SugarSync, etc. Cloud-syncing folders corrupt EndNote libraries over time.

Macintosh users

When using a Mac, always use the Firefox web browser. If you are trying to direct export references to EndNote on a Mac, the only reliable way to do this is by using Firefox.

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. However Clarivate advises that EndNote libraries stored in iCloud, even when stored on both the hard drive and online, are subject to corruption over time. For suggestions on how to safely store your documents or EndNote libraries, please refer to How to free up storage space on your Mac .

WACHS staff download of EndNote 20 @home for Windows PC 

  1. EndNote 20 will only run on Windows 10, files. Minimum requirement for Word is 2010. For further details see EndNote compatibility requirements.
  2. Uninstall any previous versions of EndNote on your PC. Make sure all libraries, edited styles, filters or connectors stored within the EndNote program folders are saved on an external hard drive / USB prior to the uninstall
  3. Close Word if it is open so EndNote can install a cite-while-you-write toolbar into Word
  4. Download the files to your computer
    • Open EndNote 20 installation file
    • Sign the licence agreement > click Submit to begin the download
    • At the prompt, select "open" EndNote files, then "ok" 
    • Once the download has completed you will have two files including a zip file
  5. Installing the files
    • Right click on the zipped file and select "Extract all" to extract both the .msi [EN20Inst] and licence.dat files and save onto the desktop or into the same folder.
    • Click on the .msi [EN20Inst] file and follow the installation prompts using the default options UNTIL select Install Type > choose Custom installation option
    • Continue with accepting default options UNTIL Select Features > click on red crosses next to *Additional Connections, *Additional Filters, *Additional Styles > select Entire feature will be installed on local hard drive" for each one
    • Continue selecting the default options until the software install is complete.
    • Delete the files you save to your desktop
  6. Configure EndNote 20 to Find Full Text 

PLEASE NOTE: It is important to install updates as prompted

WACHS staff download of EndNote 20 @home for Mac

  1. It is advisable to use the Firefox browser to install EndNote on a Mac and when exporting references from a database into EndNote.
  2. Check compatibility requirements - must have macOS 10.14 or later and Word for macOS 2016 or later
  3. Ensure you have the most recent patches and updates installed for your version of Word.
  4. Close Word if it is open so EndNote can install a cite-while-you-write toolbar into Word
  5. Uninstall any previous versions of EndNote on your Mac. Make sure all libraries, edited styles, filters or connectors stored within the EndNote program folders are saved on an external hard drive / USB prior to the uninstall.
  6. Download the files to your computer
    • Open EndNote installation files for Mac
    • Sign the licence agreement > click Submit to begin the download.
    • Once the download has completed you will have a zipped file.
  7. Installing the files
    • Open the zipped file - you will see a .dmg file and an instruction PDF.
    • Click on the .dmg file and a window will open with the .dmg file on one side and an Applications folder on the other. Drag the .dmg file to the Applications file to install.
  8. Configure EndNote 20 to Find Full Text 
  9. Check the Cite While You Write toolbar in Word > Go to the EndNote tab in Word and under Preferences > Application ensure the EndNote (not EndNote Online) is showing. NB: Mojave Uses and X8 and X9 - there is an issue with X8 / X9 Word add-in and Mojave, resulting in problems with Cite While You Write. More details and a fix are available from this link.

PLEASE NOTE: It is important to install updates as prompted

EndNote and maCOS Critical issues

See the following links for issues relating to different Mac Operating Systems:

macOS Mojave

maCOS Catalina

maCOS 11 Big Sur