EndNote 20 Guide

If syncing, sharing or collaborating using EndNote Online isn't an option for you, it's possible to transport a library between computers using EndNote's Compressed Libraries function.

To compress your library: 

• Back up your library to your hard drive  
• Click File > Compress Library (.enlx) ... 
• Choose ‘Create’ if you wish to download the file to a USB, or ‘Create & Email’ if you wish to try emailing it 
• Select whether you’d like to save attached PDFs 
• Ensure ‘All References in Library’ is selected 
• Click ‘Next’, and save the file to your USB, or to your computer’s hard drive if you’d like to email it 

To open your compressed library on another computer: 

• Download the compressed file to your hard drive  
• Double click the downloaded .enlx file or .enl file, or you can use File > Import > Import EndNote Library 

After make any changes, you will need to back up the library to your hard drive then repeat the process by creating a new compressed version of the library, with a new file name, to transfer back to the first computer. Do NOT overwrite the previous version.  

You can also use the Compressed Library function to transport a select set of references, or a Group. This is the same process as compressing a whole library, except that you will need to select the group or select your references on the Compressed Library screen. 

There are some things to be aware of if you choose to transport references using a Compressed Library. 

• Libraries that exceed 4 GB in size and/or 65,535 files cannot be compressed by EndNote. Please see Transporting Large Libraries below for further instructions.
• There is always the potential for file corruption when transporting a library using this method. Syncing using EndNote Online is an easier and safer option if possible. Whichever you choose, always back up your library first.  
• If you’re using Cite While You Write on any current documents, be aware that this process may cause mismatched references.