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EndNote X9 for Windows: Create an EndNote Library

Step-by-step Guidance on using EndNote on PC

How to Create, Open, and Close Your EndNote Library

To open EndNote and create a new Library:

Select Start Microsoft icon > All programs > EndNote Folder  Open Folder> EndNote EndNote icon

 

If it is the first time you have used EndNote, select Create a new library.

To create a new library from within EndNote:

  1. Go to File > New… (give it a unique name).
  2. Choose a location to save & open your Library, eg. Documents.
  3. Click Save.

Your blank EndNote Library should open.

Blank EndNote Library
 

To open your existing Library:

  • Go to File > Open Recent... [choose the Library] 

If your Library is not appearing in the Recent list, go to File > Open... and browse to where you saved your Library.

Or

  • Launch the Library directly from where you saved it, e.g. your desktop.

EndNote provides a sample Library (Sample_Library_X8) for you to explore. 

To navigate to the 'Sample Library', browse to where you installed EndNote X8 and browse until you find Sample_Library_x8.enl:

File > Open Library > [browse to where you installed EndNote] then open EndNote X8 folder > Examples folder > Sample_Library_x8.enl. 

If you did not specify where to install EndNote, it should be sitting in Program files (x86). Go to: 

File > Open Library > Computer > Windows 7 > Program Files (x86) > EndNote X8 > Examples and choose the file Sample_Library_X8.enl.

To close your Library:
 
Go to File > Close Library
 
Or

Select the gray or red X in the top right corner of EndNote Library window.

FAQ

FAQ

Q: Can I create more than one Library?

A: Yes. But if you want to sync your references to EndNote Online, it is a best practice to only have one Library and organize your references into groups. 

This is because you can only sync one EndNote Library per one EndNote Online account at a time. If you have more than one EndNote Library and wish to sync your references to EndNote Online, you will be prompted to merge Libraries.