Saving EndNote

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.

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 (Windows) 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.

EndNote library syncing

If you work on multiple computers (e.g. home, work, uni), the Library syncing feature in EndNote allows you to synchronise the references in your library between different computers and your EndNote Online account. See Library syncing in the EndNote extras guide for instructions on setting up Library sync.