EndNote: Import & Connect

Import filters are definition files used by EndNote to "translate" the database-specific format of references you export from a given database into the EndNote format for storing references. They "map" the elements of the database's output to the elements included in an EndNote reference.

It is always useful to evaluate the references you import into EndNote to ensure the data elements you require are present and recorded in the correct way and in the correct place.  Otherwise, the adage "garbage in, garbage out" will generally apply and the citations produced by EndNote may not be formatted correctly.

Although you can manually correct the occasional reference that imports into EndNote incorrectly, import filters are constantly being updated as the EndNote user community discovers and reports problems.

If you see references are not importing properly, you may need to update your import filters.  Make sure you have the latest import filters, available for download on Clarivate's EndNote website. Please note that you can sort this repository of thousands of available import filters by information provider, database or date OR you can filter this repository (second tab on the page) by searching for the information (database) provider (e.g., EBSCO, etc.). The filter files are stored on the hard drive of your computer in the following location:

• Windows users: Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > EndNote 21 > Filters
• Macintosh users: Applications > EndNote 21 > Filters

Connection files are used by EndNote to connect to and search online databases from within the EndNote application via the option called Online Search Mode.. Please note that in the case of Library subscription databases, Online Search Mode is designed to work only under IP-authenticated access.  This means that searching subscription databases from within EndNote will only work when you are searching from a computer that is physically located on the U of L Lethbridge or Calgary campus.  

It is usually better to search a subscription database directly through its native interface and then export saved references to EndNote so that you can take advantage of the full slate of the database's search features. However, if you prefer to search a subscription database from within EndNote, then you must hae the appropriate connection file in place to tell EndNote which database you wish to search, where to find it online, and what search options are available for it.

EndNoteEndNote has thousands of connection files available for download at: http://endnote.com/downloads/connections. But in order to search the Library's subscription databases, you can download a much smaller subset of connection files which have been edited to include the details of institutional access so there should be no authentication problems in searching these licensed resources.

When you download these customized connection files, you will be downloading a ZIP file which should self-extract into the correct folder:

• Windows users will store these connection files in the location: Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > EndNote 21 > Connections
• Macintosh users will store these connection files in the location: Applications > EndNote 21 > Connections

Get the connection files for University of Lethbridge licensed databases.

OpenURL is a communication standard used to link users directly to the full-text of a given article that is available through the University of Lethbridge Library. It is used by the Find Full Text feature of EndNote or it can be used directly by you to find the full text for your EndNote reference.

To use OpenURL, right-click on any reference in your reference list. The pop-up menu will include an option called "URL." Choose that option and you will see two further options: OpenURL Link and OpenURL.

• "OpenURL Link" sends you to the University of Lethbridge link resolver and will display all the options for full-text access to your reference including the option of submitting an interlibrary loan through the Library.
• if you have a URL embedded in your EndNote reference, then "OpenURL" will open that embedded link.

University of Lethbridge EndNote installation files prior to X8 were pre-configured to point to the University Library's link resolver.  To manually enter the link resolver address to your EndNote installation, see the Install EndNote tab.

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