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EndNote Tutorials

EndNote is a citation management tool used by researchers, faculty, and students to store, organize and cite references. This guide is to show how to use EndNote effectively.

Steps to Creating an EndNote Library in EndNote 2025

Please follow the steps below to create an EndNote library:

  • Launch the EndNote program
  • Under the File menu, click New
  • You will be prompted to the New Reference Library popup window.
  • Give a unique name to the library. I usually name a library by project.
  • Make sure you save the library in a directory that is separate from where the EndNote programs stays.
  • Click on the Save button.
  • Your brand new library (with no reference added yet) is now ready.

Watch the following videos to learn how to create an EndNote library in Windows and macOS:

Special Note

When you created an EndNote library, two components were actually created. One is the EndNote library, which is the .enl file; the other is the accompanying .data folder. Please make sure that the accompanying data folder is kept in the same directory of the .enl file. Do not lose that folder, as all the structural information, fulltext articles, full size images, and other attached materials are and will be kept in that data folder.

If you want to transport the library, in order to transport both components, you need to compress your library. To compress an EndNote library, please follow the steps below:

  • Open your library that needs to be compressed in EndNote
  • Go to the File menu
  • Choose Compressed Library (.enlx) ...
  • Follow the instructions and save the compressed the library
  • If the library is big with many fulltext articles attached, it may take longer to compress. Do not close the program before the library is compressed.