EndNote is a software program that works with Microsoft Word to automatically format in-text citations and end-of-paper reference lists with your chosen style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). The "Basic" edition is a limited, online-based version that is free to use.
EndNote Basic is an online version of the EndNote software that allows you to save and organize your references as well as create citations and bibliographies in Microsoft Word. You can sign up for a free EndNote Basic account and access your references online, or you can try the desktop version free for 30 days.
There are several ways to add references to your EndNote account, but the two main ways are importing references from databases and adding references manually.
When you find a reference in a database, such as the Simmons Library Search, you can add its information to EndNote directly from the database record:
Once you've exported to EndNote, the reference will appear in your My References list under "Unfiled."
To add a reference manually, go to the Collect menu and select "New Reference." In the New Reference form, you can choose a "Reference Type" from the drop down menu and enter information about the resource in the appropriate fields. Remember to save as you go!
When you're finished, the reference will appear under "Unfiled" or under whatever group you assign it to.
NOTE: Chrome and Firefox users can also add EndNote extensions to their browsers to automatically capture New Reference information directly from a webpage.
Cite While You Write
Start Microsoft Word and open the paper you are writing.
To cite a source, position the cursor in the text where you would like to put the citation.
Go to the EndNote tab and select Insert Citation: A "Find & Insert My References" dialog appears.
In the text box at the top, enter an author’s last name, year, a keyword, or any other combination of terms found in the reference.
Click Find. EndNote lists the matching references.
Identify and select the correct reference.
Bibliography: When Instant Formatting is turned on, each time you insert a citation it is formatted and a bibliography is updated at the end of your paper. When you are done adding citations, your paper is done! Instant Formatting is turned on by default.
Choose Citation Style
Start Microsoft Word
Click on the Endnote tab
Choose a style from the toggle menu (Example: ACS or APA 7th Edition)
Style can be changed at any time and references will update automatically.
Disable or Enable Instant Formatting in Microsoft Word
Open Microsoft Word. On the EndNote tab, select Go to EndNote and open your EndNote library.
Return to Word and on the EndNote tab, click Configure Bibliography.
Click on the Instant Formatting tab
