Import options are methods of bringing references into EndNote. Numerous options are available, but this Guide focuses on the most commonly used options: direct export, file import, and manual entry. Most of these options let users automatically add references to a library.
Most databases include citation export tools that let users export citations from a database to a citation manager, like EndNote. These tools operate in a similar fashion from database to database. Steps for importing references from PubMed to EndNote are outlined here.
Perform a search in PubMed
Select citations of interest by ticking the box next to the citation's title
Send to button > Citation Manager > Create file
Open the file using the EndNote desktop application
References auto-import into EndNote; references are placed in a group labeled "Imported References"
EndNote Support: Importing references from PubMed website
This import option extracts key data from the file, matches it against database content, and uses this information to create new EndNote records (i.e., references). This option only supports certain file types. Steps for importing a PDF file are outlined here.
How-to
File menu > Import > File...
Choose button > Find and select file
Import Option field: PDF
Duplicates field: Discard Duplicates
Import button
EndNote will create the reference and attach the file to it. A file attachment is indicated by a paperclip icon.
In the case of PDF files, EndNote extracts the *DOI from the file and matches it against data from www.crossref.org
In some cases, data is missing from references created by this import option. In these cases, EndNote cannot identify the DOI. This may occur if the PDF file is a scanned image or the DOI is not tagged correctly by the publisher. You can manually add missing data to these references or find updates online (see Edit & Update References).
*DOI Foundation: What is a DOI?
File attachments sync to the EndNote Online account
EndNote Support: Troubleshooting PDF imports
The Citation Finder tool creates an RIS file of plain-text references (not formatted using a citation manager) for import into EndNote.
Paste citations into the finder box (enter each citation on a new line)
Select RIS (EndNote, etc.)
Search button
Review results > Select the correct match for each citation
Download button
Open file > Citations will import into EndNote
Users can create a reference for a resource using its bibliographic data. Bibliographic data describes a resource and can usually be found on the first page of a journal article or the Copyright page of a book. The location of this information for other formats varies.
Reference menu > New Reference
Select the appropriate reference type from the drop-down menu at the top of the window
Enter data into each field
File menu > Save button
EndNote Support: Creating new reference in EndNote desktop library