EndNote21 Desktop: Getting Started

EndNote is a citation management program that allows you to:

• Create and maintain your own searchable database of literature references
• Centralize and organize your research information
• Insert citations into word processed documents
• Format references and bibliographies in a variety of styles

EndNote is available as downloadable software (Desktop version) for PCs and Macs, and as a cloud-based account online. UNC-CH students, faculty, and staff can purchase EndNote at a discounted price.

The Desktop version must be bought, and comes with an online account, but you can also create a free online account (EndNote Basic) that is mostly similar to the online account you would get with EndNote Desktop.

Each user who purchases a license for EndNote Desktop can install their license on up to three devices but cannot share their license with other users. 

Choosing a Citation Manager

We offer support and instruction for 3 citation managers at UNC: Lean Library Workspace (Sciwheel), Endnote, and Zotero. We recommend different citation managers based on your needs.

We recommend Lean Library Workspace (Sciwheel) if you want to:

• Store and share references
• Collaborate with others in shared documents
• Collaborate mostly with other UNC Affiliates - UNC Affiliates have free access to a premium subscription. A free version is available with limited projects.

Lean Library Workspace (Sciwheel) is the most user-friendly and easy to learn platform.  

View our Lean Library Workspace (Sciwheel) guide for more details about getting started in Lean Library Workspace (Sciwheel). 

We recommend Zotero if you want to:

• Store and share references
• Collaborate with other in shared documents
• Collaborate often with people at other institutions OR you are graduating soon and will no longer be at UNC.

Zotero is somewhat user-friendly and freely available for anyone.  

View our Zotero guide for more details about getting started in Zotero. 

We recommend EndNote if you want to:

• Conduct bibliometric analysis
• Perform systematic review searching
• Create custom citation styles

There is a significant learning curve with EndNote and it is not easy to collaborate in shared documents. Since it is not free, we only recommend Endnote if you need advanced functionality not available in other programs. 

If you have already purchased EndNote, this guide provides instructions for all the most common tasks to help you get started.

Students

1. Go to Student Acquisition Ordering Portal at https://sa.unc.edu/shop.  Log in with your Onyen and password.
2. Choose the link for Shop as a Student. If you automatically enter the Ordering Portal, skip to the next step.
3. Search for EndNote in the search box toward the bottom of the page.
4. Select EndNote for Windows or OSX depending on your computer type and click Add to Cart on the right side of the page.  ITS Software distribution is only distributing licenses for the most current version, EndNote 21.
5. When you are ready to check out, click on the Cart icon in the upper right corner next to your name.
6. The $108 cost for EndNote will be charged to your OneCard expense account.  You will need to have the funds available in your OneCard expense account at the time of checkout.  You can add funds to your OneCard here.
7. You will be emailed a downloadable link and the required serial number /product key needed to install.

Faculty/Staff

1. The ITS Software Distribution Office is a vendor in the BuyCarolina Marketplace in ConnectCarolina. To place a BuyCarolina order you need to have a BuyCarolina role in ConnectCarolina and a valid Chartfield String. If you do not have both of these, you will need to contact your departmental business office to place your software order. Some departments allow faculty and staff to place orders, and others may restrict the ordering to the business office or IT department.
2. Go to ConnectCarolina at http://connectcarolina.unc.edu.  Log in with your Onyen and password.
3. Click the BuyCarolina link from the Admin WorkCenter Links Tile.
4. Click the Software Distribution box from the list of Additional Stores
5. You will need a ChartField String to charge the $108 expense to your department.
6. Once the Chartfield String has been entered, you will be directed to the vendor catalog, where you will see the link for "ITS Software Distribution." ITS Software Distribution is only distributing licenses for the most current version, EndNote 21.
7. After completion of your order, you will be emailed a downloadable link and the required serial number /product key needed to install.

An EndNote iPad App is available for download for free from the Apple Store.

To learn more, check out FAQs for the EndNote iPad app.

Note: You cannot use the EndNote iPad app without an EndNote Online account (see our page on EndNote Online). The EndNote app will only access references that you have synced with your Online account.

What is EndNote Web? 

EndNote Web is the cloud-based service that comes with the full version of EndNote21 Desktop.

Note that you will need to purchase the full EndNote21 before you can use it. You will create an account through EndNote Desktop and then sign in at then log in at myendnoteweb.com.

EndNote Web features

• Sync one EndNote Library
• Use on PCs or Macs
• Format citations in 4,200+ different citation styles
• Integrate with Word to Cite While You Write
• Share groups with up to 1,000 EndNote Basic/Online users
• Save and organize unlimited references
• Store unlimited sizes of attachments

The new EndNote Web interface is only available to users who have purchased EndNote 21. For users with previous versions of EndNote, refer to Endnote Online Guide from Clarivate.