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EndNote User Guide

Referencing in a Microsoft Word document can be managed using an EndNote library through the Cite While You Write (CWYW) feature. This integration enables users to insert and format citations directly from their EndNote library, with bibliographies automatically generated according to the selected referencing style.

Setting up Cite While You Write

CWYW is installed on all library computers. If you want to install CWYW on you personal device follow instructions from Clarivate.

  1. Open EndNote library
  2. Open MS Word (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or Office 365 desktop versions).*
  3. EndNote 20 tab will appear in top right ribbon.

*Word Online is not compatible. 

Recommended Resources:

Citations in your document will appear as in-text citations in the body of the writing and also as the reference list or bibliography at the end of the document. The referencing output style is the way citations appear in the document, for example APA, Harvard or Vancouver styles. 

Changing Referencing Style

The entire set of references can be changed, and individual references can be changed.

Changing a list of references in EndNote Tools

  1. Go to Tools > Output Styles
  2. Select your preferred style
  3. Choose Open Style Manager if your favourite style is not listed there.

Changing an individual reference 

  1. Select the desired citation 
  2. Open a reference Summary box
  3. At the bottom select the drop down box with output style listed
  4. Select your preferred style or 'Select Another Style'

Tip: EndNote has access to many common styles but if you cannot find the right one for you then use this Style Finder.

Changing Referencing Style in Word

  1. Open your MS Word document 
  2. Click the EndNote tab on top ribbon
  3. Select your preferred output style
  4. If your favourite style is not listed there, choose Select Another Style

Note: All references in your word document will automatically be changed to the new style selected

Citations can be inserted into a word document from a linked EndNote library. Citations can be inserted by selecting references within the EndNote library as well as by searching and inserting citations within word.

Insert selected citation(s) from ENdNote

  1. Open EndNote on your desktop and highlight the reference(s) you would like to insert
  2. Open Word and place your cursor where you would like to insert the citation(s).
  3. Click the EndNote tab on top ribbon and click > Insert Citation > then >  Insert Selected Citation(s).
  4. The in-text citation(s) that you highlighted in the EndNote library will be inserted into your Word document and the full citation(s) will be inserted at the end of your document as the bibliography.

Find and insert citation(s)

  1. Open Word and place your cursor where you would like to insert the citation(s).
  2. Click the EndNote tab on top ribbon and click > Insert Citation > then > Insert Citation
  3. Search for required reference in search box. Use keywords or author to search and click > Find 
  4. Select required reference and click > Insert. The default format is displayed as (Author, Year) but use drop down arrow to select preferred display format, for example Author (year).
  5. The in-text citation(s) will be inserted into your Word document and the full citation(s) will be inserted at the end of your document as the bibliography.

When editing or removing citations in a Microsoft Word document, users should use the Edit and Manage Citation function found in the EndNote ribbon. This is essential because EndNote inserts hidden formatting that, if altered manually, can corrupt the document. Citation details should be updated within the EndNote library itself to ensure accuracy and maintain document integrity.

Edit details of a reference

To change the information about a reference i.e. fix a spelling mistake. The information needs to be changed in the EndNote library, it will then be reflected in the word document.

  1. Select the citation.
  2. Click the Edit tab in top right of the screen
  3. Change or add text in each field

Edit reference format in Word

This edits how the in-text citation is displayed. You have a variety of functions within this area:

  • Add page numbers to a citation
  • Enter prefix text  for information you want to appear before the reference (e.g. prefix text, Author, Year).
  • Enter suffix text for information you want to appear after the reference (e.g. Author, Year, suffix text).
  • Change format to display from (Author, Year) to Author (year).
  • Remove citation
  • Edit Library: This opens your EndNote library for a specific reference so that you can edit directly.