EndNote extras

Import and create references from PDFs

EndNote can create references from PDF files. You can import a single PDF or a folder with multiple PDFs. EndNote will try to automatically create a reference for each file.

  1. In EndNote, go to File and Import
  2. Choose File… to import one PDF or Folder… to import several PDFs at once
  3. Click Choose and find your PDF file or folder
  4. For Import Option, select PDF
  5. Choose Discard Duplicates to avoid adding the same reference twice
  6. Click Import.

Your PDF will now appear as a reference in your EndNote library.

If the PDF does not include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), EndNote will create a reference with only the filename of the PDF. You will need to edit the reference manually:

  1. Copy the title from the PDF and paste it into the Title field of the reference
  2. Save the reference
  3. Right-click the reference in your library and select Find Reference Updates
  4. If no updates are found, you must enter the reference details yourself.

Automatic import of PDFs

EndNote can automatically import PDFs from a folder on your computer.

  1. Create a folder on your computer (e.g. on your desktop) and save your PDFs there
  2. In EndNote, click the Edit menu, select Preferences and PDF Handling (Windows) OR click on EndNote, select Preferences and PDF (Mac)
  3. Tick Enable automatic importing under PDF Auto Import Folder
  4. A box will appear. Select the folder you created and click OK.
  5. Click Apply, then OK.

EndNote will now regularly check this folder, import any new PDFs, and create references in your library.

Cite from a PDF (EndNote 2025)

EndNote 2025 allows you to insert a highlighted quote from a PDF, along with a formatted citation, into your Word document with just one click. To do this:

  1. Open your Word document and place the cursor where you want to insert the quote and citation
  2. In your EndNote library, find the reference you want to cite and double-click it to open the reference
  3. Go to the PDF tab in the reference. To view the PDF in a separate window, click the Open in new window icon next to the PDF tab
  4. Highlight the text you want to quote in the PDF and click the quotation mark icon in the top right corner
  5. The quote will be inserted into your Word document, followed by the in-text citation in your selected referencing style.