What is EndNote Online?
The EndNote desktop application comes with the option to create a free EndNote ("premium") online library which can serve as a cloud-based automatic back-up for your desktop library if you activate the "Sync" option. How to set up "Sync" is covered in the Library's EndNote Part 2 workshop.
Keep in mind that when you save references to an EndNote online library, they are stored on cloud-based servers (i.e., NOT locally at the University of Lethbridge). This means you can access your EndNote online library from anywhere you have Internet access. It also means that your reading interests, especially if you are doing controversial research, can be subject to the U.S. Patriot Act.
As well, anyone can sign up for a free EndNote Basic account by registering at https://my.endnote.com. This allows you to build an online EndNote library that can hold up to 50,000 references and 2 GB of attachments. All EndNote online libraries are limited in functionality in that you do not have the same control over output styles, etc. as you do when using the EndNote desktop application.
An EndNote Basic library may meet the needs of undergraduate students. It can also be useful for researchers who wish to share particular groups of references with others. For a comparison of the features and capabilities of the EndNote online and desktop applications, see this chart.
Users who have installed the EndNote 2025 desktop app and synced their library have the option of accessing their EndNote online account via the classic interface at https://my.endnote.com or via the new web interface at https://web.endnote.com.Accessing your EndNote library via https://web.endnote.com gives users the ability to use "Cite While You Write" with Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs.
