EndNote (Desktop): Creating a New EndNote Library

Creating a New EndNote Library

1. In EndNote, select File → New

2. Select where you want to save the library

3. Type the name of your new library

4. Click the "Save" button​

More Details About Libraries

• Libraries have two parts: a file with the extension .enl and a folder with extension .data.

  • The .data folder contains file attachments, term lists, and citations.

• The number of references you can have in a library is unlimited - but it is best to keep it under 100,000.

• You can create any number of libraries, but you can only sync or share one of them using EndNote Online

• Libraries created on a PC can be used on a Mac, and vice versa.

• It is very important to periodically back up your EndNote libraries. To do this in EndNote,

  • Select File → Compress Library (.enlx)

  • Select With File Attachments and All References in Library

  • Click on the Next button

  • Select where you want to save the file

• Storing EndNote libraries in cloud-syncing folders or keeping read-write EndNote libraries on network drives or flash drives, can corrupt the data.

The tutorials below demonstrates the steps for creating a new library in EndNote 21 (timestamped) and EndNote 20 (video-only) for Windows users.

The timestamped tutorials below demonstrates the steps for creating a new library in EndNote 21 and EndNote 20 for Mac users.

The following video-only tutorial demonstrates how to create a copy of your library in EndNote 20 for backup purposes or offline sharing.