Skip to Main Content

EndNote 21

Note: This guide is being updated to reflect changes in EndNote 2025.  During this time, some information may still reflect the EndNote 21 software. When the update is complete, this message will be removed.  Thank you for your patience. 

Getting Started

NSU provides a free licensed download of EndNote 2025 to NSU students, staff, and faculty. You must update it to the most current version on both PCs and Macs. It is not advised to install previous versions. 

You can also sign up for the free EndNote Online version, which can be synced with a desktop library or used on its own.

The desktop software cannot be installed on Chromebooks, but you can use the online version.

EndNote is a great resource for storing, organizing, and formatting your references! But before you start to use EndNote, you will need to follow all of the steps in this section for setting up and customizing the software, so it works correctly with the library databases and the citation styles that you need.

  1. Step 1: Checking Compatibility

  2. Step 2: Downloading EndNote: Windows  or Downloading EndNote: Mac (uninstall any previous versions of EndNote before installing another version; back up or save your library to an external hard drive)

  3. Step 3: Creating a New Library

  4. Step 4: Choosing Citation Styles

  5. Step 5: Selecting Import Filters

  6. Step 6: Setting Up Full-Text

 

If you have a Mac computer, please read:

Do not save the EndNote Library in the iCloud!

If you have an existing EndNote Library: Before upgrading your computer, make sure you back up your EndNote Library on a compatible external hard drive and sync your desktop library to the online library. If you don't have the EndNote Online account yet, create an account, connect to the library on your computer, and run the sync function.