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Using EndNote

EndNote is the University of Bristol's recommended reference management software. On this page you can find guidance to both the desktop and online versions.

What is EndNote?

EndNote is a tool that helps you to collect, store and organise scholarly literature from different sources. It will enable you to quickly cite these references in Word, and automatically create a bibliography in any referencing style you require.

EndNote comes in Desktop and Online versions that can be used separately or in conjunction depending on your needs and preferences.

Which version should I use?

EndNote Desktop is highly recommended for Research Postgraduates and staff, due to its advanced functionality. It can be synchronised with an EndNote Online account if needed.

For Undergraduates and Master's students, we recommend using EndNote Online. It has all the functionality required, takes less time to learn and is a good introduction to reference software.

Crucially, both versions are available for free to all members of the University.

EndNote Desktop

EndNote Desktop is now in its 21st iteration, and often referred to as EndNote 21. Find information below on how to install it on your device, and where to go for support.

Installation

Students and staff are able to download a personal copy for home use from the University's OnTheHub page. Simply follow the link and search for Endnote.

EndNote Desktop is also available for installation on all University PCs from the IT Software self service webpage and is part of the standard software suite on Windows 10 machines.

Training

We highly recommend attending the training sessions run by Library Services.

These run during term time and dates are released regularly - just book a place from the Bookable workshops page. If there are no dates available when you check, please use the online tutorial linked to from the top right of this page and the resources under 'self-help' below.

Self-help

Top tips

  • Create one library to keep all your references in the same place.
  • Use the groups feature to organise your references.
  • Always save a back-up copy of your EndNote library by selecting File > Save a copy.
  • Check for duplicate references before writing up. Having duplicates in your EndNote library can cause problems, especially when you start to reference your work.
  • To find full text articles via UoB subscriptions for your references in EndNote:
    1. go to menu item Edit > Preferences > Find full text and tick the OpenURL box
    2. in the ‘OpenURL Path’ box, insert: https://bris.on.worldcat.org/atoztitles/link
    3. in the ‘Authenticate With: URL’ box, insert: https://bris.idm.oclc.org/login?url=
  • Check that the references are appearing properly in your work by comparing them with the official referencing guidelines for your style. If a reference is not appearing correctly in Word, you may need to edit the reference details in your EndNote library or double check that you are using the right output style.

EndNote Online

EndNote Online, sometimes referred to as EndNote Web or EndNote Basic, is web-based. An enhanced version is available to all University of Bristol students and staff via Web of Science.

Signing up

We recommend that you create your EndNote Web account on campus. This ensures that your account is automatically associated with the University of Bristol, which gives you 5GB of storage as well as access to the University of Bristol referencing styles.

Where this is not possible, please sign up in one of the following ways:

  • Go to http://www.bris.ac.uk/library/find/databases/.
  • Search for 'Web of Science' or go to 'W'.
  • Click on 'Web of Science Core Collection'.
  • Once in the Web of Science, click on the 'Products' link on the top banner and select 'EndNote' from the drop-down menu.
  • Register with your University email address. This will give you the full functionality available.

NB: Avoid using a percentage sign (%) in your password, as this has been known to cause problems in the past.

Once registered you can log in to the service at www.myendnoteweb.com and begin saving references into your account. Roaming access will allow you to use it from any computer, but you must log in via a University computer, or via Web of Science, at least once every 12 months to authenticate your status as a University of Bristol student or staff member.

Training

Library Services run short, introductory sessions in Teaching Blocks 1 and 2. Dates will be advertised on the Bookable workshops page. If no dates are up when you check, please use the Quick Guide provided above (top-right) and the resources in the 'self-help' section below.

Self-help

Close up of a laptop on a sofa, on the screen are graphs EndNote Desktop tutorial

Learn how to use the core features of EndNote Desktop effectively with this in-depth tutorial.

A pile of books. EndNote Online tutorial

This interactive tutorial will get you quickly up to speed with the core features of EndNote Online.

EndNote Online quick guide

New to EndNote? Learn how to register for and start using EndNote Online with this quick guide.

A photo of one of the reading rooms in the Wills Memorial Library. Subject Librarians

For further help with EndNote please contact your Subject Librarian, who you can find listed by subject here.

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