EndNote X9 essentials

EndNote automatically saves references as you add them to your library so you do not need to save your library each time you exit the program. However, it is advisable to save a back up library in a separate location (such as to a USB) so that you don’t lose all your work if you encounter issues with the program or your computer.

Do not use the Save a Copy option in EndNote as this can lead to unnecessary complications with multiple libraries and data files being created.

7.1 Save a compressed back up library

It is recommended that you use the compressed library option when creating a back up as it zips your .enl and .Data folder into a single file.



  1. Go to File and select Compressed Library (.enlx)
  2. In the dialogue box that appears, you can choose to either Create or Create & Email
  3. Select whether to create With File Attachments or Without File attachments
  4. Click Next (PC) or OK (Mac) and save it at your desired location
  5. If you selected the Create & Email option, your default email system will be launched with the compressed library file attached to it
  6. Clicking on the saved library (has an .enlx file extension indicating that it is a compressed library) will split it to an .enl file (uncompressed library) and the .Data folder.

7.2 Work between different computers

If you wish to use EndNote to collect references but don’t have your main EndNote library with you (e.g. it is saved to your home computer and you are using a computer on campus), you can create a new library then merge this with your existing library.



  1. Save the new library to your USB
  2. Open your home library
  3. From the File menu, select Import and File…
  4. At Import File: click on Choose… and navigate to the new EndNote library on your USB and choose .enl file
  5. Click Open
  6. At Import Option: select EndNote Library
  7. At Duplicates select Discard Duplicates and then click on Import.