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EndNote: Installing and getting started with EndNote

What is EndNote?

"" EndNote is Queen's University's supported reference management application.

It can help you keep track of your research sources by allowing you to store all your references to books, journal articles and other materials in one place. It can also save you time by automatically creating citations and bibliographies in the correct format, in a range of widely-used citation styles.

Using EndNote you can:

  • build your personal collection of references from academic sources such as databases and catalogues
  • organise your references into groups
  • manage large volumes of references required for systematic reviews
  • share your references with other EndNote users
  • cite your sources when writing, using the Cite While You Write (CWYW) add-in for Microsoft Word
  • automatically format your citations and bibliography

EndNote is a desktop application and it also has an online component. You can install the desktop application on up to three personal laptops or PCs and sync it with the online version.

Please note: your EndNote library should never be stored in cloud-syncing folders such as iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc., as syncing folders can corrupt your EndNote library over time.

If you would like training or advice on how to use EndNote please contact your subject librarian.

You are not required to use EndNote. If you do not like working with EndNote, there are several alternatives available, including free services like Mendeley and Zotero. However, Queen's University only supports EndNote. If you experience problems using other reference management applications, your subject librarian will not be able to help.

System compatibility

EndNote desktop is compatible with Windows and MacOS. You cannot install it on Chromebooks, iPads or Linux PCs. If you would like further details please check Clarivate's system compatibility page.

Installing EndNote Desktop

You can find step-by-step guides on how to install EndNote at the links below. Please follow the instructions closely, as some steps can be counter intuitive.

The installation files must be unzipped/extracted correctly to enable the installation. If you are asked for a "product key" this indicates that the installation files were not fully extracted. Please repeat the installation process, closely following the instructions provided:

Top tips for using EndNote

  • It is possible to set up multiple EndNote libraries, but this is a common cause of confusion. Consider setting up just a single EndNote library and use groups to organise references within your library. Please check the section Working with your EndNote library and references of this guide for details.
  • It is essential that you create regular backups of your EndNote library. You can find information in the Backing up, syncing, and sharing your EndNote library section of this guide.
  • A functioning EndNote library consists of two parts: a .enl file and a .Data folder with the same name. Both parts must be saved in the same folder for the EndNote library to work correctly. Please ensure that the EndNote library (.enl) file and the associated .Data folder are not accidentally separated or deleted.
  • EndNote is a desktop application, with an online component. The desktop version provides more functionality, but you may want to create an EndNote online account to sync your EndNote library, for example if you wish to transfer it to a different PC. Please check the section Backing up, syncing, and sharing your EndNote library of this guide for details. If possible, create the online account while connected to the QUB campus network, as this will provide you with the fullest version available.
  • If you choose to work with EndNote, please do not install other reference management software such as Mendeley or Zotero on the same computer, as you may experience technical issues.

Clarivate (the producer of EndNote) provide further EndNote Do's and Don'ts

Help and support

For more information and help please consult the Help and Support section in this guide or contact your subject librarian

EndNote installation FAQs