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EndNote Basic: Import References from EBSCO Databases (CINAHL, Global Health, PsycInfo)

This guide will provide support for students and researchers who are using Endnote Basic

Created by Health Science Librarians

Exporting References from EBSCO Databases

There are different ways to export references from EBSCOhost databases based on the number of citations you want to export.

Exporting a Single Citation

1. Conduct a search in an EBSCO database (e.g. CINAHL or PsycInfo)

2. Click on the title of the record that you wish to export to your EndNote library.

3. On the top-right of your screen, select the quotation mark. The quotation mark is the Cite button.

Article in EBSCOhost with box outlining the quotation mark button

4. In the window that pops up, Export citation. Then, click Export in RIS format.

EBSCOhost citation pop-up window

Exporting Multiple Citations

1. If you want to export several citations, click the check box icon next to each citation you want to export. Then, select the folder icon. This will add the citation to your Projects.

EBSCOhost search results page with boxes outlining the check box icon and folder icon

2. If you want to save an entire page of results, click the check box icon on the top-left of your results page. You can select All on this page or Select 1-50. You can display up to 50 citations on a single page. To change the number of citations on a page, click Show on the top-right of your results page.

EBSCOhost results page with boxes outlining the check box icon drop-down arrow and the selection option "All on this page"

3. Once you have added all the citations you want, click Projects in the My dashboard menu on the left of your screen. In your project, select all the citations you want to export. Then, select the folder icon to Export.

EBSCOhost Project folder example with boxes outlining the export button, select all checkbox, and Projects tab

4. In the window that pops up, select Export in RIS format.

 EBSCOhost "Export citation" pop-up window with box outlining the "Export in RIS format" link

Exporting a Large Number of Citations

Sometimes you'll need to export hundreds or thousands of citations at a time, especially if you're doing a systematic review or a big literature review. You can export up to 25,000 citations at a time EBSCOhost databases.

1. After conducting your search, click the check box icon at the top of your results page. Then, select Export results (Up to 25,000).

EBSCOhost results page with box outlining the checkbox dropdown arrow and Export results option

2. The following screen will appear. Enter your UNC email address in the Email address box. Select the first format option: RIS. Then click Send.

EBSCOhost export results pop-up window with boxes outlining the email address entry bar, RIS format option, and send button

3. You will receive an email with a link to download the RIS file. This may take a while, depending on how many citations you're exporting. Make sure to check your Spam folder if you don't receive the email.

Importing References into Endnote Online

To import a saved database reference file into Endnote Online:

  1. Open your Endnote Online account in your browser. Under the Collect option, click Import References.
  2. Click the Browse button on this screen to import the file.

    EndNote Basic Import References page

  3. Next to Import Option:, select the correct format from the dropdown menu. If you do not select the correct file format from the dropdown list, your references will not be imported. The correct file formats for common health sciences databases at UNC are as follows:
    • Embase: RIS
    • PubMed: NBIB
    • Google Scholar: ENW
    • EBSCO: RIS
  4. From the To: dropdown menu, select the group where you would like to place the imported references (or select [unfiled] if you don't want to put them in a group). Then click Import.
  • Last Updated: Oct 31, 2025 3:15 PM
  • URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/endnotebasic