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EndNote Online

A guide to using EndNote Online. EndNote Online is the online version of the EndNote Desktop software program.

What is EndNote Online?

EndNote Online is a simplified, condensed online version of the EndNote Desktop program. It allows you to:

  • Export references to your EndNote library from databases and library catalogues (direct export)
  • Import references into your EndNote library that do not have an export function
  • Insert references from your EndNote library into your Microsoft Word document (Cite While You Write (CWYW) )
  • Manually create references in your EndNote library
  • Organise references into groups
  • Share groups with other users of EndNote

EndNote Online does not allow you to:

  • edit referencing styles, filters and connections
  • preview a citation / reference in your EndNote library in your chosen referencing style​

Please see EndNote system requirements for Windows/Mac, Microsoft Word and browsers.

This guide includes usage instructions for EndNote Online.

The Library also has a guide for EndNote Desktop. There is a link to this on the left navigational menu within this guide.


Useful videos:

Types of EndNote Online accounts

There are three types of EndNote Online accounts:

1. EndNote Basic

Used as a standalone reference management system separate from Web of Science and EndNote Desktop, EndNote Basic is the free version of the EndNote Desktop program and is only available online. EndNote Basic has 21 styles and a limited number of filters and connection files. EndNote Basic is available for free to anyone, and no purchase or paid subscription is required. EndNote Basic users can create online libraries with up to 50,000 references with up to 2G of attachments.

2. Through Web of Science

This version of EndNote Basic available as part of the Web of Science database subscription and has over 3000 styles and hundreds of filters and connection files. This version is available to those whose institution has a subscription to Clarivate's Web of Science database. RMIT Library has a subscription to Web of Science, which you can access as a current RMIT student or staff member. Log into Web of Science with your RMIT credentials, click on Tools > EndNote towards the right within the top toolbar, and either log in with your existing EndNote Online credentials if you already have an EndNote Online account, or click the Register link to create a new EndNote Online account.

3. Through EndNote Desktop

The premium version of EndNote Online requires the free creation and registration (Sign Up) of a new EndNote Online account via the EndNote Desktop program. Please follow these instructions: EndNote: Register for an EndNote online account included in desktop program.

If you already have an an existing EndNote Basic account, you can upgrade it to an EndNote Online account for free by registering your EndNote Basic account via the EndNote Desktop program. Please follow the instructions in EndNote: Register for an EndNote online account included in desktop program, but instead of clicking on 'Sign Up', log in with your existing EndNote Basic credentials.

Using EndNote Online via the EndNote Desktop program will enable you to sync both your EndNote Desktop and EndNote Online libraries.

Note: EndNote Desktop is already installed on all RMIT student computers, is available in myDesktop, and is also available for download and installation onto personal devices for current RMIT students and staff. Staff using Windows can also install it onto their RMIT staff computers via Software Centre. Please see the Library's EndNote Desktop webpage for more information.

Creating an EndNote Online account

The following are three ways to create an EndNote Online account:

For EndNote Basic (on or off campus)

  1. Go to http://my.endnote.com
  2. Click on 'Register'
  3. Follow the prompts to create your new account with your RMIT student email address.

Through Web of Science database (on or off campus):

  1. Go to the Web of Science database from Library home page (log in with your student/staff number)
  2. Click on Tools > EndNote towards the right within the top toolbar
  3. Click on the 'Register' link
  4. Follow the prompts to create your account.

Through EndNote Desktop:

  1. Open the EndNote Desktop program
  2. Click on the Edit within the top toolbar
  3. Click on Preferences > Sync > Enable Sync
  4. Click on the 'Sign Up' link
  5. Follow the prompts to create your account
  6. Open a browser and go to http://my.endnote.com to log in to your online account.