Skip to Main Content

EndNote

Getting EndNote Set-Up

Basic EndNote Set-Up Instructions

Now that EndNote is installed, there are some basic set-up steps that need to be completed to ensure EndNote works smoothly before you begin adding references. Please follow the instructions below to finish setting up EndNote.

EndNote Library Set-Up

Once EndNote has been downloaded, users must create a Library in EndNote before they can import any references.
EndNote Libraries and Groups allow users to sort and organize their imported references. In EndNote, the Library is the default organization level, while Groups act as folders within a Library for further organization of the references. Some users create one Library and use multiple Groups to organize their references for various projects, while other users create a new Library for each project. Each method has advantages and drawbacks; use the method that is most comfortable for you.

Creating Your Initial EndNote Library

  1. Open EndNote.
      For users creating their very first Library, EndNote will open looking like an empty frame or box.
  2. In the EndNote toolbar, go to File  New.
  3. A New Reference Library dialogue box will open with File Name and Save As options.
      By default, EndNote Libraries are saved in your Documents folder; they can be saved elsewhere, but we recommend staying with the default location.
  4. In the Save As/File Name box, enter a name for your new Library, or keep the default name My EndNote Library, and click Save.
  5. Your new Library should now be opened in EndNote and almost ready for use.
    Screenshot of EndNote's New Reference Library box - Window OS
    Windows: EndNote's New Reference Library Save As box
    Screenshot of EndNote's New Reference Library box - Mac OS
    Macs: EndNote's New Reference Library box Save As box

What is the Medical Terms List?

EndNote uses Terms Lists, which are specialized journal lists provided to EndNote by various subject authorities, to ensure that citations are formatted correctly. The Medical Terms List is a list of medical journal names, and their accepted NLM abbreviations, that is provide to EndNote by PubMed. Since the JAMA citation style depends heavily on these journal abbreviations, COM users must make sure they are using the most up-to-date version of the Medical Terms List to ensure their citations are rendered correctly.

If users are setting up their first EndNote Library, or a new EndNote Library: click on the Importing the Terms List tab below for instructions. If users are simply updating the Terms List in an existing Library: click on the Terms List Update tab for those instructions instead.



Importing the Medical Terms List


  1. In the EndNote toolbar, go to Library Open Terms Lists Journals Terms List.
    Screenshot of navigation to EndNote Terms List
  2. In the Terms window of the Term List Box, make sure the Journals List is completely empty by highlighting and deleting any Journals that are in the list.
  3. Click on the Lists tab in the Term List box; select Journals and click Import List...
    Terms Window in Term List Box
    Import List in List Window
  4. EndNote should automatically open to its Term Lists folder on your computer; if it does not, the EndNote Term Lists can be found in the following locations:
    • PCs or Windows: C:\Program Files (X86)\EndNote 20\Term Lists
    • Macs: Applications\EndNote 20\Terms
  5. In the Term Lists folder, double-click on the Medical.txt file to initiate the import to the Term Lists box in EndNote.
  6. Once the import is complete, in the Terms tab of the Term Lists box, the Journals List should now contain approximately 14,000+ imported journal terms (actual number will vary based on ongoing updates to the Medical.txt file).
    Terms Window in Term List Box
  7. Repeat Steps 3 - 5 to import any additional Term Lists you may want to include in your EndNote Library (i.e.: Biochemical, Veterinary, etc.).
  8. Once all desired Term Lists have been imported, simply click Close on the Term Lists box. The newly updated Term Lists will be automatically saved.

Updating the Medical Terms List

 Quick Tip
The Medical Terms List will only require updating approximately once per year. However, if at any time you begin to experience issues with NLM Journal Abbreviations in your citations, go ahead and try re-updating the Medical Terms List. 9 times out of 10, an update will fix any Journal Abbreviation issues.

  1. In the EndNote toolbar, go to Library Open Terms Lists Journals Terms List.
  2. Open the Lists window in the Term List box; select the Journals List and click Update List...
  3. In the Journal List Update box, make sure that Abbreviation 2 is set to Alternate Journal (Alternate Title) before clicking OK.
    Screenshot of the Update List button in the Term Lists box - PC
    The Update List button in the Term Lists box
    Screenshot of the Journal List Update dialogue box with the Abbreviation 2 field highlighted
    Abbreviation 2 field in the Journal List Update box
  4. Repeat Steps 2 - 3 to update any additional Term Lists you have included in your EndNote Library (i.e.: Biochemical, Veterinary, etc.).
  5. Once all Term Lists have been updated, simply close the Term Lists box. The newly updated Term Lists will be automatically saved.

When EndNote is initially opened, users may receive an Update Notification. Users are strongly encouraged to update EndNote as soon as an update is available; keeping EndNote updated helps to reduce any possible compatibility issues. Please see below for information on checking for and installing EndNote updates.

EndNote Updates

Attention!
As of June 2019, all EndNote 20 updates require administrator privileges for installation. Instructions for updating through the Software Center are preliminary. Contact the FSU COM IT Service Desk to authorize EndNote 20 updates on your device.

EndNote 20 Update Prompts and Manual Install

  • Open EndNote.
  • Automatic: If an Update notification window appears, click Download and Install to update EndNote; your current version of EndNote will be displayed at the top of the Update Box.
EndNote 20 Update Box
  • Manual Update - PC: In EndNote's menu bar, go to Help Check for Updates. If updates are available, the Update Box from above will appear.
  • Manual Update - Mac: In EndNote's menu bar, go to EndNote 20 Check for Updates. If updates are available, the Update Box from above will appear.
PC Manual Update Screenshot
Mac Manual Update Screenshot

EndNote 20 Updated Version in the Software Center

Warning!
Instructions for downloading the latest version from EndNote 20 are preliminary.
For further assistance, please contact the FSU COM IT Help Desk.

EndNote 20 users with COM-issued PCs can download the latest versions of EndNote 20 in the Software Center.
To download the newest version in the Software Center, first uninstall the version current version, and then follow instructions in the Installing EndNote 20 on Windows section.