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EndNote: Creating a Backup

One option to back up your EndNote Library is to save a copy. The library recommends this copy to be saved on an external drive to avoid having more than one library at a time on your computer. Note: There are two files to an EndNote library and both will need to be moved and stored together.

From within EndNote:

Click File > Save a Copy.


 

Video Instructions

An EndNote Compressed Library is currently the recommended method to back up your library. It stores the .enl file and the folder containing the information of your library together as an .enlx file.

This option also allows for backups of certain group/s rather than the entire library.

To create a new backup:

  1. Click File > Compress Library (.enlx)…
  2. Leave the options on the next screen (unless you’re backing up certain references or groups)
  3. Choose somewhere to save this new file.

Video Instructions

Syncing your EndNote desktop library with an online account allows you to share your library across multiple computers. It is not recommended that you use this option as a backup. 

To set syncing up:

  1. First, create an account with EndNote Online
    1. Link to EndNote Online
    2. Click here for more information
  2. Go to your EndNote desktop library.
  3. Go to Edit > Preferences 
  4. Go to Sync (4th from bottom)
  5. Enter the email and password you used to register with EndNote Online.
  6. Tick the Sync Automatically option if this is desired. EndNote will sync with your online account every 15 minutes. 
  7. Click Apply and Ok
  8. Click Sync Configuration at the top of the left pane. EndNote will take a while to process this initial sync. 
  9. You can force Endnote to sync even with automatic sync enabled by clicking the Sync Now button at the top.

The Sync Status page will have important information including

  • Details of the last sync
  • Relevant error codes if something has gone wrong
  • The number of references, groups, attachments and tags you have in your desktop and online libraries (you can use these numbers to ensure everything is in the online library and has synced fully)
  • How close you are to the limits of your endnote library storage

EndNote Training Calendar and Material