EndNote: EndNote library

1.  My EndNote library says that it has been corrupted, and I can't open it.  Is there anything I can do?

Try the database recovery tool by going to the Library menu, then Recover library. This may help to repair a damaged library, but doesn't always  work.  (To avoid data loss remember to back up your library regularly.  See the more detailed, Proper process for recovering library files 

2.  How do I export an EndNote library to Excel? 

Follow this link for a How-To Guide

Alternately, follow this link for an 8 minute video

3.  How can I make a backup of my library?  Can I move it to another computer?  
You can use the Sync feature available starting in EndNote X6 and higher to move your library to another computer with EndNote installed.  See the more detailed, Moving, backing up, or transferring libraries 

4. How do I recover a damaged EndNote Library?

The proper process for recovering library files:

1. Open EndNote. With the library closed, go to Tools > Recover Library.
2. Click OK to the notice that comes up, then select the library file you would like to recover (browse to the folder on your computer in which the library is located).
3. After selecting your library, you will be prompted to save the new library. EndNote will add "-Saved" to the end of the original name and begin the recovery process.
   
   Once completed, EndNote will inform you of the number of references recovered into the Saved library. Use the Saved version of the library in place of the original, damaged library.

Note: Make sure both .enl and .Data folders are in the same location while trying to recover library.

5.  I cannot enter a library in EndNote's preferences for the purpose of sharing with a group.

Syncing between your EndNote Desktop and EndNote Online needs to be reset. Make a backup copy of your library before proceeding with the reset process.

Now do the following:

1. In EndNote, click on the Edit menu and select Preferences. Uncheck “Sync Automatically”. Restart EndNote.
2. Empty the trash on both your desktop library and online library.
3. Go to Edit > Preferences, click on Sync and add the following to your E-mail address under EndNote Web Account Credentials: #!resetLocalSync
   This should then read as: firstname.lastname@utoledo.edu#!resetLocalSync. Click Save and close the Preferences screen.
4. Click on the Tools menu and select Sync.
5. EndNote will then appear to authenticate and return the prompt: “A Sync library can be linked to only one account. Do not proceed unless you intend to break the link to the original account.” This happens because EndNote has been tricked into thinking it authenticated against another user. Click OK, and EndNote will purge any knowledge of a previous sync.
6. EndNote will then display a message, “Your local sync state has been reset. Please re-enter your E-Mail Address, restart EndNote, and Sync again.”
7. Restart EndNote and open the copy of your library that has the full set of references.
8. Go back to EndNote > Preferences and go to Sync.
9. Enter the correct user/pass in and set up the automatic sync settings to meet your needs. The E-mail address should be reset back to: firstname.lastname@utoledo.edu
10. Save and Close the Preferences.
11. When you click Sync again, you will once more get the message “A Sync library can be linked to only one account. Do not proceed unless you    intend to break the link to the original account.” Click OK.
12. You will be prompted to make a backup of your library. You can create another backup of your library at this point. A complete Sync will then begin. 

6. How do I back up my library?

EndNote automatically saves changes to your library, so there is no Save or Save As command for the Library. You can back up your library by using the 'Save a Copy' command to create an exact copy of your library. To create a copy of your library:

• With a library open, select 'Save a Copy' from the File menu.
• Name the new library and choose where to save it.
• Click Save

In Microsoft, the new library is saved to the location you choose, where you can then open it with EndNote. This command creates a .ENL file as well as a DATA folder for the new library, and copies all necessary files and figures to it.

In macOS, the new library is saved to disk, where you can then open it with EndNote. This command creates a .ENL file as well as a .DATA folder for the new library, and copies all necessary files and figures to it.

You can also create a compressed copy of a library and later restore the compressed library with EndNote. To create a compressed copy of your library in Microsoft:

• Open the library in EndNote.
• From the File menu, select 'Compressed Library (.enlx)' to display a Compressed Library dialog.
• Use the radio buttons to select whether you want to Create a compressed library or to Create & Email the library, save file attachments, save all or selected references, etc.
• Click 'OK' and save the compressed library to a folder on your hard drive.

To create a compressed copy of your library in macOS:

• Open the library in EndNote.
• From the File menu, select 'Compressed Library (.enlx)' to display a Compressed Library dialog.
• Use the radio buttons to select whether you want to Create a compressed library or to Create & Email the library, save file attachments, save all or selected references, etc.
• Click 'OK' and save the compressed library to a folder on your hard drive.

7. How many EndNote libraries can I have? 

We recommend that you have only one library for your thesis, research project/s and/or course work and that you use groups and group sets to organize your references. This approach:

• simplifies file management and version control as you only need to back up one EndNote library
• eliminates any confusion when inserting citations from multiple libraries
• is best practice for EndNote online users as only one desktop library can be synced to EndNote Online. If you attempt to synchronize more than one desktop library, EndNote will merge them.

8. Can I save my EndNote Library to OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud, etc.?

You can archive a compressed EndNote library to a cloud storage service. If you need to use this archived file in the future you should move it to your hard drive before decompressing it. You should not store your working library to any online synchronization service as this may result in corruption of your library.

9. Is it possible to transfer a Windows EndNote library to EndNote on a Macintosh (and vice-versa)?

Libraries that are created on the Mac or PC version of EndNote are compatible across platforms. You can transfer the files via portable media or you can email them to yourself.

10. How can I merge two EndNote libraries?

Please see advice from Clarivate on merging EndNote libraries.

11. How many references and full text or file attachments can a library hold?

EndNote 20 Desktop can hold an unlimited number of references and file attachments.

12. Can I use Adobe Acrobat to view, highlight and annotate linked PDFs in my library?

In EndNote 20:

• Click on the PDF preview tab from the right hand panel.
• Right click and choose the program to open the PDF with.

Note: Sticky note comments inserted using the default EndNote reader are searchable by choosing 'Any Field and PDF' or the 'PDF Notes' search options. They are not searchable when inserted using another program.

Remember PDFs are saved by default to the PDF section of the library’s accompanying .Data folder.