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EndNote 21 guide

Get started with EndNote

How to use the EndNote reference management software

What is EndNote?

EndNote is a software application for storing, managing, searching and sharing your references.

EndNote can help you:

  • Manage your references
  • Add citations to documents in Microsoft Word and other word processors
  • Add bibliographies to documents in Microsoft Word and other word processors
  • Format references in the appropriate style
  • Share your references with others.

EndNote has both a desktop application and online component, however the online component functions as an add-on to the desktop application, rather than as a replacement. Murdoch University makes EndNote available to all staff and students at no cost.

How to use this guide

This guide is based on EndNote 21, and should work for both Windows and Mac users. There are a few functions for which Mac instructions differ from Windows - in these cases Mac instructions have been provided at the bottom of the relevant section, highlighted using the Mac symbol: Apple logo

EndNote allows you to format your citations and references by arranging data in your EndNote library into various templates. However, EndNote will not correct your references if the data itself is wrong. You need to understand how to use your required referencing style correctly before using any citation manager.

For help with referencing styles, please see our referencing guides:

Watch an overview

For a short overview of how to use EndNote 21 for both Windows and Mac, see the videos below.