EndNote

Sharing, backing up and recovering EndNote libraries

EndNote offers several functionalities that allow users to share EndNote libraries with colleagues, back up your EndNote library to prevent data loss, and recover a EndNote library.

Sharing EndNote libraries

EndNote 21 enables library sharing with up to 1,000 colleagues with read only or read  and write access.  

Check out the article EndNote: Library sharing and editing for detailed instructions on sharing libraries with others.

Travelling EndNote libraries

EndNote generates a travelling library within Word documents that contain EndNote references. This functionality allows for the preservation of EndNote citations in a shared Word document without requiring access to the associated EndNote library.

Backing up EndNote libraries 

Backing up your active EndNote library in a different location protects against data loss. Each library consists of two parts: a .enl file and a .data folder. Both must be backed up, and both need to be transferred when changing the library's location, for example from a local drive to an external drive. 

While syncing with EndNote Web provides limited backup, saving a copy or compressed library backs up all features, including group settings.

Save a copy of EndNote library

1. Select File menu, then select Save a Copy. 
2. In the Save dialog box, the filename should have the word Copy at the end (e.g., My EndNote Library Copy.enl). You can either use this or rename your copy (adding a date may be useful when you have more than one version).
3. Save the file to an external drive or to Cloud storage.

Save a compressed library

Creating a compressed library produces a smaller file by combining the .enl library file and the .data folder, making it easier to transfer locations. 

1. Select File menu, then Compress Library (.enlx)
2. Choose from the following options: 
   1. Create or Create & Email your EndNote library 
   2. With or Without File Attachments 
   3. compress All References in Library or Selected Reference(s) or All References in Group/Set 
3. Then click Next 
4. Name the file (the extension is .enlx), then click Save  
5. Save the file to an external drive or to Cloud storage. Return your compressed library to your local hard drive before opening it. 

Recovering EndNote libraries

In the event that your EndNote library becomes corrupted, please follow these steps to recover the damaged library. 

Recovering EndNote Library synchronised with EndNote Web

If you have synchronised your desktop library with EndNote Web, take these steps to recover your library: 

1. Open a new blank library
2. Go to Library
3. Then select Sync

Recovering EndNote Library not synchronised with EndNote Web

If you have not synchronised your desktop library with EndNote Web, follow these steps to rebuild it: 

1. Open EndNote
2. Go to Library
3. Then select Recover Library

Check out the article EndNote: The proper process for recovering library files for detailed instructions on the process for recovering library files.