Adding references to EndNote

Direct Export

A quicker option is to use direct export. This allows you to access a resource such as Library Search or one of our specialist databases and directly transfer bibliographic details directly into EndNote.

Video transcript

This video will demonstrate how to use Direct Export to transfer references from Library Search to your EndNote
Please note that before you start exporting references into EndNote it is a good idea to either open your Desktop EndNote library or login to your EndNote Online account, depending on the version of EndNote you are using.
You can access Library search from the homepage of the Library website. Type in your search terms into the search box and click to search
Your results will be displayed.
To export multiple references to your Endnote library you will first need to add them to a list.
To do this, simply click on the Save icon for any reference you want to export.
Once selected the icon changes and the word Saved appears. References will be added to Saved Items list, located above your results.
To view your selected results, click on Saved items. This will show the references you have selected.
Please be aware this is a temporary folder, if you want to permanently save your results you will need to login using your MMU details, click Sign In.
If you want to remove anything from this list, just click to untick the references to deselect. You can also use the delete option to remove references. Once you are happy with the list click Cite.
Please note you do not need to select a citation style. Just click Export to EndNote. What you see next will depend on which web browser you are using.
If you are using Google Chrome when you click Export to Endnote the following screen will appear. Click Save. A citation file will be downloaded into your browser. Double click on the citation file in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
In the next screen choose the version of EndNote you are using either EndNote for EndNote Desktop or EndNote Online and click okay.
If you are using Microsoft Edge, the initial step is the same you do not need to select a citation style just click Export to Endnote. A citation file will be downloaded into browser. Click open file.
In the next screen choose the version of EndNote you are using either EndNote for EndNote Desktop or EndNote Online and click okay.
If you have selected Desktop EndNote, then your Endnote library will open.  You can now see the references you have transferred, only these references will appear on screen.  You will need to click All references to return to your full list. 
If you have selected Endnote Online then you will be asked to enter your Endnote Online account details, then click okay
After this you will see a pop-up box informing you your references have been exported into Endnote. Click okay.
To view your recently exported references, go to your Endnote Online library. Go to sort by and click the drop-down arrow, select added to library newest to oldest. Your recently exported references should appear at the top of the list. References exported from Library search are automatically sent to your unfiled group.
To export a single reference to your Endnote Online library, the process is the same except that you don’t need to add the reference to a list. Instead, click Cite, select Export to Endnote. From this point on the process is the same depending on which browser you are using.
Please note if you don’t see the Choose Destination box, it is still possible to transfer references into Endnote using an import method. Browsers such as Safari do not support direct export. See the Library’s Endnote guide for further information.
If you require further help with using Endnote you can email [email protected]
You can access the Endnote guide from the Library home page where you will find further information and videos on using the software effectively.

Direct Export not working?

If you are using EndNote Online, have you installed the Cite While You Write toolbar into Word?

When this is installed, it also adds a plugin to your web browser. This software will mean that references can be directed to EndNote The toolbar can be accessed from the Downloads section of EndNote Online. This short video shows you how to install the Cite While You Write toolbar.

Please note that some browsers such as Safari do not support direct export. However, you can import references into EndNote using these methods.

Importing references

If you are not able to use direct export then you will need to import references into EndNote using the following method.

From Library Search/Database, etc.

Export the records, then select Save.
Ensure that you save them to a place where you can easily retrieve it later and the file name ends .ris.

Return to EndNote Desktop

Open your EndNote Library
Choose File select Import and choose File.
Next click Choose located by File Type. You now need to locate the file of results you downloaded. Once found click Open.
Now click the drop-down arrow next to Import Option then select RefMan RIS. If RefMan RIS is not listed choose Other filters and select this option from the full list of filters.
Finally, click Import
Your imported references should only appear. Click All References to return to your full list of references.

Return to EndNote Online

Login to your EndNote Online account
Select the Collect tab and click on Import References
Next to File, click on Choose File and locate the references, which you have saved
Use the drop-down menu in the Import Option field to find and select the RefMan RIS import filter.
Either choose to add the references to a particular group or to the Unfiled area in your library. Then click Import
A message in red will appear confirming your results have been added to your library and can now be used for referencing

Different databases and EndNote

A number of our other resources allow direct export into EndNote.

Please contact the Library if you need instructions about a database that is not listed below.

PubMed US
These instructions will take you through the basic steps of transferring references into Desktop EndNote/EndNote Online. If you have any problems transferring information then please contact the Library.
Run a search
Select the records you wish to export by clicking on the tick boxes next to each search result.
Select Send To, located below the Search box
Select Citation Manager
Click on Create File
An additional box may appear where you need to save the file by clicking Save
Depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open select either EndNote or EndNote Online. If you have selected EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Simply enter and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.
Google Scholar
Please note you can only export one reference at a time.
For EndNote Online
Go to the Google Scholar search page.
Click on the icon indicated by three horizontal lines, located in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
Click on Settings
Under Bibliography Manager, select ‘Show links to import citations into’ and select RefMan
Click on Save at the bottom of the page.
When you run a search, results will now display the option Import to RefMan. Click this option and depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open, select EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Enter them and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
For EndNote Desktop
Go to the Google Scholar search page.
Click on the icon indicated by three horizontal lines, located in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
Click on Settings.
Under Bibliography Manager, select ‘Show links to import citations into’ and select EndNote
Click on Save at the bottom of the page.
When you run a search, results will now display the option Import to EndNote. Click this option and depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
Your reference will appear in your EndNote library.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.
EBSCO Databases
These instructions will work for any database on this platform. This includes resources such as Business Source Premier, British Education Index, Historical Abstracts, Medline, PsychARTICLES SPORTDiscus and others.
Run a search and click on the Folder icon to save relevant records to My Folder
When you are ready to transfer, select Folder view. This is located on the right-hand side of the screen.
Click to select all records or specific ones
Choose Export
Choose Direct Export in RIS Format (such as CITAVI, EasyBib, EndNote, Procite, Reference Manager, Zotero)
Click Save
Depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open, select either EndNote or EndNote Online. If you have selected EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Simply enter and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.
ProQuest Databases
These instructions will work for any database on this platform. This includes resources such as Art, Design and Architecture Collection, ASSIA, Avery Index, FIAF, LLBA, LISA, Performing Arts Periodicals Database, Sociological Abstracts, etc.
Run your search and mark the references you want to transfer to EndNote Desktop /EndNote Online.
Items will be added to a temporary folder
When you are ready to transfer click the folder icon at the top of the screen.
Select Save
Choose RIS (works with EndNote, Citavi and others)
A box will open in the middle of your page. It should have output to: RIS (works with EndNote, Citavi and others) selected. Click Continue.
Depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open, select either EndNote or EndNote Online. If you have selected EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Enter and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.
IEEE
Run a search and tick the boxes next to the records that you want to transfer
Click on Export. A box will open, click on Citations.
Under Format, click on the box next to RIS (EndNote, Reference Manager, Procite) and click Export.
Depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open, select either EndNote or EndNote Online. If you have selected EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Enter and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.
REAXYS
To export results, you will need to create a personal account. First, click Register and fill in the registration form. Once you have created an account, remember to Sign in before exporting references to EndNote.
Run a search and click on View results.
Tick the boxes next to the records you want to transfer.
Click on Export.
Click on the drop-down arrow next to Choose a format and select Literature Management Systems.
Click on Export.
A box will appear at the bottom of the screen once your export is ready. Click on Download.
Depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open select either EndNote or EndNote Online. If you have selected EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Enter and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.
HeinOnline
First, you will need to set up an account to be able to save bookmarks. Choose MyHein, located towards the top of the screen
Then choose Create an Account. If you already have an account then you need to log in
Please note only references from journals can be exported.
You need to select from All Databases menu – Law Journal Library
Run your search
Select the record/s to be saved, by checking the box next to the record number
Click Save/Email
A blue box will appear, and you can choose to tag your references, if you require
Click Enter Into Research
On the screen, you will get a green box, which confirms the results have been added to your bookmarks
To transfer to EndNote, click My Hein
Choose Saved Bookmarks
Tick the box next to the records you want to transfer.
Then from the drop-down menu next to Options – choose RIS file (Journal Articles)
Then click Submit
Depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open, select either EndNote or EndNote Online. If you have selected EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Enter and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.
Westlaw
Please note – it is only possible to export Journal Citations from Westlaw
First, select Journals
Run a search
Select the results you want to export by ticking the box next to the article.
Click the Export to EndNote icon (En) above the results list.
Then click save.
Depending on your browser, either double-click on the download file near the bottom of your page (Chrome), click Open (Internet Explorer), or select Open With, then OK (Firefox).
A box will open, select either EndNote or EndNote Online. If you have selected EndNote Online, you may be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details. Simply enter and click OK.
A confirmation message will appear confirming the transfer has been successful.
If Direct Export is not possible you can still import references, as outlined in the section direct export not working above.

EndNote Click

EndNote Click is a browser extension that helps you quickly capture full text journal articles as you research. PDF files can then be easily transferred directly to EndNote, ready for citing and referencing. To use this feature, you will need to add the browser extension alongside setting up a free EndNote Click account.

Installing the EndNote Click Browser

If you have installed Desktop EndNote, then you should have automatically installed the extension with the download.
However, the browser extension can also be added separately. Access EndNote Desktop, click on Tools then select Install EndNote Click Browser Extension. This will open a web browser that takes you to the EndNote Click webpage. The relevant extension will be listed which you can install.
If you are using EndNote Online, you can add still add the extension. Access the Endnote Click website and download the plug-in. Alternatively, you can find the extension in the relevant store for your web browser.
Please note that this feature is not currently available on Manchester Metropolitan University’s campus computers.
Setting up and EndNote Click account
To set up an account
Go to https://click.endnote.com/
Choose Login
Select Create an account.
Enter your name, any email address and choose a unique password, then click Create my EndNote Click account.
Next start typing Manchester Metropolitan University if this has not automatically appeared. Then choose Select this institution.
On the next screen, scroll down to Customize EndNote Click and choose the options that work for you, for example you can set your Reference manager to choose Desktop EndNote. You can amend these settings at any time.
To finish setting up your account, you will need to access your designated email account. You will receive an activation email that will include a link. Once you verify your account, your EndNote Click account will be ready to use.
You can access your account at any time by accessing https://click.endnote.com/and choosing Login.
Once the account has been created, you will be able to access EndNote storage called the EndNote Locker, which is where PDF files can be stored.
Using EndNote Click
Adding PDFs to your EndNote Locker
Your EndNote Locker is the online storage location which will hold any PDF file you choose to add using EndNote Click.
Once EndNote Click is installed, it will activate automatically if you access a compatible website.
You can access any of the Library resources such as Library Search or any of our specialist journal databases and run a relevant search to look for journal articles.
When you access an article page, which has a PDF attached, EndNote Click will appear in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.
If the website is compatible, the button will show in purple and read ‘View PDF’ followed by ‘EN’ in a circle. If you hover your cursor over the view PDF button a grey screen will appear above and this will let you know if you have already added the PDF to your locker and which version of the article you are accessing, i.e. publisher version, open access version, etc.
To add the PDF to your EndNote Locker, click View PDF. A new window will open, if you are not already logged in to EndNote Click you will be asked to log in to your Click account. You may need to return to the article and click View PDF again. This will take you to the EndNote Locker screen. You can read the article here, download a copy to your computer, etc.
Transferring PDFs to EndNote
You can also choose to directly transfer the PDF and bibliographic details to either EndNote Desktop or EndNote Online so that you can use the article for citing and referencing.
For Desktop, it is recommended you open your library of references first. To transfer, choose Export to EndNote Desktop. A .ris file will be downloaded to your browser, click this file. The bibliographic details and attached PDF should then be automatically added to your EndNote library.
For EndNote Online, choose Push to EndNote Web. If this is the first time you have used the service, you will be asked to confirm your EndNote Online account details and click to Sign In. Once your account is linked, click Push to Endnote Web, select the groups of references you want to add the reference to, then click Export. When you next log in to EndNote Online both the reference and attached PDF will be available.
What if EndNote Click does not give the option to View PDF
Some journal platforms are not compatible with EndNote Click.
In this case, the EndNote tool will activate but will not turn purple and will remain grey and display text such as Search Institution Library. You can click this button to check if the article might be available on a site that is compatible with the EndNote Click tool.
However, it is still possible to transfer the PDFs and/or bibliographic details into EndNote.
First, download the PDF of the article to your device.
To add to EndNote Desktop:
Open your library of references.
choose File, then Import and then File.
A new window will appear. Click Choose and locate the PDF file on your computer, usually located in a downloads folder. Select the PDF and click Open.
Next to the Import Option, click the drop-down arrow and select PDF.
Then select Import.
EndNote will add the PDF and create a bibliographic record for the article. Please note if the PDF does not have the correct metadata attached, you might find the PDF will be added and attached to a blank bibliographic record. In this case, you will then need to manually add the reference details.
Alternatively, you can transfer the bibliographic details of the article into EndNote Desktop using the direct export method.
Other Features

Uninstalling the Tool
If you need to uninstall this tool, right-click on the EndNote Click icon in your browser. On Chrome, select Remove from Chrome, in Firefox the option will be Remove extension.
EndNote Locker Storage
You automatically receive 100MB of storage in your EndNote Locker. You can increase this storage to 2GB by upgrading to EndNote Premium. This is entirely optional. To unlock this feature, you will need to recommend EndNote Click to a friend. For further details see EndNote Click Premium pages.

Adding references to EndNote