What is EndNote?
EndNote is a:
- reference and full text organiser with a collaborative web tool called EndNote Online.
- bibliography maker.
- online search tool. It retrieves references directly into an EndNote library and performs direct imports of references from many online resources into an EndNote created library file.
Tip: While it is possible to create and use multiple EndNote libraries, it is recommended you work from a single library and use Groups instead.
Other reference managers
There is a range of reference management programs available. Some can be used online, as browser plugins, others can be downloaded from the net and used as so-called stand alone programs. Some are free, others need to be paid for. The most commonly used programs at the Australian National University appear to be the reference managers known by the names of EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Please find a brief comparison of the three here.
Installing EndNote
Stand-alone EndNote is available for students and staff to use for free while studying or working at ANU. It is installed on all Information Commons computers and can be downloaded from Wattle for use on your home computer. If you want to download EndNote from Wattle:
- Log in to Wattle using your ANU ID and password
- If necessary, search for EndNote using the search box at the bottom of the page and
- select the EndNote course in the list of search results and accept to be enrolled
- The files for download are available under the Download EndNote Software heading. Please follow the instructions carefully.
Alert: Uninstall/remove all versions of EndNote BEFORE installing a new version. Back up any EndNote libraries first.
EndNote on Windows and Mac computers
This guide was mostly written for users of EndNote X7.3 for Windows computers and all screen shots shown are of EndNote X7.3 for Windows. Where directions are especially difficult to follow on a Mac computer information for Mac users has been provided.
For compatibility information of different versions of EndNote and Microsoft Word please refer to the EndNote webpage.
How to use this guide
It's possible to use this guide as a step by step learning guide, or you can use it as a reference manual. To this end, navigate the guide using the Guide Index on the left of every page.
In addition, you will find EndNote in Action videos linked on many of the pages. These videos demonstrate the skills learned on the respective pages. EndNote in Action videos can be found on the following pages:
