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EndNote X9

NOTE:

Please note that X9 is no longer the current version of EndNote. This is a legacy guide, kept for users of X9 who have not updated.  This guide has not been updated to reflect newer versions of EndNote.

NSU Students, Staff, and Faculty can download the current version of EndNote here, and view our current EndNote Guide for instructions on its use.

User Resources

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

  • Watch our short course videos for using EndNote on Windows or Macintosh to learn the basics in less than a half-hour.
  • 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 want all your references available on all your computers, online, and on your iPad, then use groups to organize the library into categories.
  • If there are references you do not want to share, perhaps because of confidentiality issues, you can create a second library for these and organize them by groups, as well. 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, etc., or keeping read-write EndNote libraries on network drives or flash drives, can all corrupt EndNote libraries. However, it is possible to put an EndNote library on a portable hard drive (NOT a flash drive!) and use it with multiple computers.
  • Use the File>Compressed Library command to make backups of your libraries.

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.
  • EndNote libraries should be kept on your computer's hard drive. Storing and editing libraries on a network drive can lead to corruption and performance issues.
    • If needed for sharing purposes, a copy of an EndNote library can be placed in a read-only folder on a network drive for multiple users to access. The original library should remain on the owner's computer.
  • EndNote libraries should never be stored in cloud-syncing folders such as DropBox, OneDrive, Box, SugarSync, etc. Syncing folders corrupt EndNote libraries over time.
    • EndNote libraries cannot be stored in SharePoint.
  • Uninstall your previous version of EndNote before installing a new version.
  • References in EndNote libraries can be synchronized between desktop and laptop computers, the online library, and an iPad using EndNote Sync.  EndNote Sync is the only suggested synchronization method for EndNote references.
  • Complete EndNote libraries can be shared with other EndNote X7, X8, or X9 users through EndNote Sync and Library Sharing.