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Endnote

Handy Hints

  • Every EndNote library is made up of two parts, the .enl file and the .data folder. Always keep them together.

  • Keep EndNote libraries on your computer's local hard drive. Storing and editing libraries on a network drive can lead to corruption and performance issues.

  • Uninstall your previous version of EndNote before installing a new version.

  • If you use the Apple iCloud storage optimization feature, all files in your Documents folder, including EndNote libraries stored there, will be kept in iCloud or synced to iCloud instead of stored only on your computer, leading to library corruption. Either avoid using this feature or put your EndNote libraries somewhere on your Mac that will not be stored in iCloud. This feature was introduced in OS X 10.12 (Sierra).

  • Back up your EndNote libraries frequently. The Fileāž”Compressed Library command will let you create backups for most libraries in minutes. Adding the date to the default compressed library name will let you easily find older backups that can be deleted.

  • Never put EndNote libraries in any type of syncing drive or folder, they cause corruption over time. This includes cloud-syncing folders such as OneDrive, OneDrive Business, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, SugarSync, Box, etc., as well as local network syncing programs such as GoodSync. EndNote libraries contain multiple files, and data is saved to those files in a strict sequence. NonEndNote syncing programs can send data out of sequence, eventually leading to data corruption. Files may appear to be fine for months, but corruption is building up and will eventually cause problems. We suggest using EndNote Sync if you want your references available on more than one computer.