Citation Management Tools: Switching Content Between Citation Management Software

Rules of Thumb:

Exporting citations will generate a text file in a predefined standard style.

Importing citations will pull in citations from a text file in a predefined standard style.

Common Styles/Formats:

• BibTeX
  
• Endnote XML
  
• Refworks
  
• RIS
  
• Zotero Library
  

This video will show the basic process for exporting your library from RefWorks and importing it into the EndNote Desktop software. See the links below for more information about importing and troubleshooting tips.

Related Links:

• Importing an RIS file into EndNote Desktop
  • Automatic Import
  • Manual Import
• Importing an RIS file into EndNote Web

While the process for exporting records from RefWorks and importing them into EndNote is relatively quick and easy, your individual situation may require additional support. Listed below are resources to help with common transition problems.

If you need more help with transitioning from RefWorks to EndNote, contact us:

• Chat with a librarian or email a question via Ask Us!
• Schedule a research consultation appointment for one-on-one help.

For technical support:

• Questions about installing the EndNote Desktop software should be directed to ITAC.
• Any other technical questions should be directed to EndNote Support.

Resources related to common transition problems:

• If you use Legacy RefWorks instead of New RefWorks, follow EndNote's instructions for exporting.
• If you plan to use a different citation manager instead of EndNote:
  • Exporting from RefWorks to Mendeley
  • Exporting from RefWorks to Zotero
• PDF attachments do not export from RefWorks. Here are some options for rebuilding your PDF attachments:
  • Manually attach the PDFs to the corresponding records in EndNote.
  • Create new records with PDFs attached by importing from PDFs and then merging duplicates.
  • Use the Find Full Text function to automatically attach open access PDFs from the internet.
• Folders also do not export from RefWorks. Here are two options for maintaining or recreating your folder organization:
  • Export each folder separately from RefWorks, then immediately add the Imported References to a new Group in EndNote before importing the next group.
  • Recreate your RefWorks organization after importing an entire library using new Groups in EndNote Desktop or EndNote Web.