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EndNote Online: Step 3: Add References

Once you have created your account and got set up, start adding (or importing) references to your library. References are made up of bibliographic data or metadata, e.g. author’s name and the book or article title, that is imported into your account and building your library. They are not added in your chosen referencing style, that comes later when you output your references.

Import References tool

Import References tool the most common way to add references

  1. Explore the database or source you are using, as appearance and terminology may vary.
  2. Find the option to export or download your selection (or group of selections) of references as a RIS file (.ris) or RefMan RIS and remember where you’ve downloaded .
  3. For example, in the BU Library catalogue ‘mySearch’, click the ‘Cite’ button, then click ‘Export to EndNote’ or Export to RIS’, either downloads a RIS file.
  4. Then in Endnote, click ‘Collect’ and ‘Import References’.
  5. Click ‘Choose file’ and find the RIS (.ris) file you downloaded.
  6. Select Import Option ‘RefMan RIS’, saved to Favourites in Get Set Up tab.
  7. Select a group in your library where you want it or them to go. Use ‘Unfiled’ if you don’t have a group set up yet or click ‘New group’ to create one.
  8. Click ‘Import’.

BU unit Reading Lists

BU unit Reading Lists

  1. In a BU unit Reading List, click ‘View & Export’ and in the ‘Export’ section click ‘RIS’, remembering where you downloaded it.
  2. Work through the previous guidance (Import References tool section, points 4-8) about what to do back in EndNote Online.
  3. The downloaded file will contain the whole reading list, as you can't select individual items before downloading. You can manage the list later in EndNote by delating the references you don’t want.

Google Scholar

Import Google Scholar results:

  • Underneath a search result click on 'Cite':

  • On the next screen select 'RefMan' and that gives you a RIS file you can import into EndNote:

  • We recommend use the 'RefMan' option because that generates an RIS file, which our training encourages you to become most familiar with when using EndNote.
  • Using the 'EndNote' option will work as well and it's ok to select that instead, if you wish. Just be aware that generates a different file format (not RIS) to import into Endnote.

 

Downloading an RIS file

You can add a reference from many database as well as Google Scholar by looking for the RIS file.

  • In Google Scholar look for the speach marks symbol (") with 'cite next to it - here you can select Refman at the bottom of the page.
  • This downloads an RIS file into your downloads folder (you may see it at the bottom of your browser).
  • In Endnote, go to Collect n the ribbon at the top, and then select Import references
  • Select the RIS file you downloaded, and make sure the import option is set to RefMan RIS
  • You can add the reference into a group or into your unfiled area,

This method can be used in most databases although the appearance and terminology will vary, but look for RIS file or RefMan.

BU Library catalogue 'mySearch'

BU Library catalogue 'mySearch'

  1. Click ‘Cite’ either at the list of results stage or within the record itself.
  2. You can also use the ‘Saved Items’ function to build a group of references to export in one go.
  3. Click ‘Export to EndNote’ or Export to RIS’, either downloads a RIS file, remembering where you downloaded it.
  4. Work through previous guidance (Import References tool section, points 4-8) about what to do next in EndNote Online.
  5. For a book BU Library doesn’t have, check the ‘Libraries Worldwide’ box.

EBSCO Database Search

EBSCO Database Search

Exported metadata from this database (and Web of Science) does not need the Import References function, it puts them directly into your Library for you.

  1. From Library area in Brightspace, click on ‘EBSCO Database Search’ in the Search Library Resources box.
  2. Use the search box/es to build a results list and make refinements and limitations as you wish.
  3. Add the first two or three results to the Folder (top right) by clicking on ‘Add to folder’ (blue folder logo with a plus symbol) and click on ‘Folder’ (top right) – the logo will have changed.
  4. In the Folder, choose the ‘Export’ option (right hand column).
  5. Select ‘Direct Export to EndNote Web’ and click ‘Save’.
  6. References are added to your list of references in Endnote Online and a tab/window should open to confirm ‘Number of records imported’.
  7. Click ‘My References’ and select the ‘LS’ Link Source option to find full text (where available).

Manually create references

Manually creating references

  1. Click on ‘Collect’ then ‘New Reference’ to manually create a reference.
  2. Choose a reference type (e.g., book, journal etc.) from the list.
  3. Enter the bibliographic information in the fields provided. Only use the fields you know need information to build the components of the reference, based on the style you are using.