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Endnote

Manage your references and create in-text citations and bibliographies.

Storing your EndNote library

To prevent data loss or corruption the following tips should be followed:

  • Store (save) your EndNote Library on your computer’s hard drive, rather than in networked folders or the cloud. 
  • Your .enl file must be stored in the same location as the .Data file associated with your EndNote library. The .Data file contains the library's references and full-text .pdf files.
  • It is recommended that you only create and use one EndNote library.
  • Give your EndNote library a unique name e.g. Marsha_Chan_research.enl.

Back up and restoring your EndNote library

It's important to backup your EndNote library regularly in case something goes wrong. Whether you are installing a newer version of EndNote or reinstalling on a new computer, it is important that you make a backup copy of your library:

  1. Go to the File menu and select Compressed Library (.enlx) ...
  2. Select Create if you just want to save the file to your computer.
  3. Choose whether you want the backup copy to save your references with or without the file attachments (all file attachments is recommended).
  4. Choose whether you want to backup all the references in the library, selected references or groups of references (all references is recommended).
  5. Select Next, navigate to the folder where you want to save the file, and Save.
  6. A .enlx compressed file will be created. This file should only be used when you want to restore your EndNote library.

It is good practice to regularly backup your EndNote library this way. This will ensure you always have a current compressed version of your library. Each time you create a new compressed EndNote library, replace the older compressed .enlx file with the newly compressed .enlx file. You should have only ONE compressed EndNote library (.enlx) to avoid confusion as to which is the latest version.

To restore an EndNote library, go to the File menu, select Open... and choose your .enlx file.