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EndNote 21 for Mac: Attaching Files

Using EndNote to manage your references and create in-text citations and reference list on a Mac computer

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Attaching Files to EndNote Records

About attaching Files

 

EndNote provides the ability to attach files to records in your library.

  • Added files are stored in the library’s Data folder. 
  • Any of the common file formats may be attached, including AV & multimedia files (wav, mp3, mov, QuickTime), PDF, Microsoft Access/Excel/PowerPoint/Project/Visio/Word files, and text files (txt, rtf, html). 
  • Up to 45 files may be attached to each record.

Importing from a database does not automatically transfer the full text of the article. Instead, you will need to attach the files automatically using the Find Full Text function (see the tab above) or attach the files manually using one of the following methods.

 

  1. Within EndNote, select a record in the Library Window you'd like to attach a file to.
  2. Click on the Attach File link under the Summary Tab. 
  3. Navigate to the folder where you store the files and click on the file to attach, then click Open.
  4. The file will be attached to the record, and a paperclip icon will appear in the record within the Reference Window.

Attaching file using the Attach File function screenshot

You can also attach files by dragging and dropping one or more files onto a record in either the Library Window or the Reference Window.

Attaching files by dragging and dropping screenshot

Watch the video on attaching files to EndNote records manually.

(This video is based on the Windows platform, but the process is the same for both Windows and Mac)

Using "Find Full Text" to Attach Files Automatically

 

  • EndNote can automate the process of locating and attaching PDF files to EndNote records using the Find Full Text command.
  • Find Full Text works most efficiently when the EndNote record includes a DOI within the DOI field.
  • Note: for users of versions prior to EndNote 21.4, you need to set up the preferences within EndNote before using the “Find Full Text” feature for the first time. See the instructions below. 

 

  1. Within EndNote, click EndNote 21 | Preferences/Settings
  2. The EndNote Preferences Window will appear (see below). Select Find Full Text from the left hand panel.
  1. Make sure that
  • Each of the check boxes are ticked in this window
  • Enter the following addresses in the corresponding fields:

OpenURL Path: https://newcastle.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/uresolver/61UON_INST/openurl?

Authenticate with URL: http://ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/login?url

(include the “=” in the last URL)

  • Click Save, then close the EndNote Preferences Window.

EndNote Find full text on Mac setup

  • Highlight the record(s) to be checked

(you can select up to 250 at a time).

  • click the Find Full Text icon Find Full Text icon (or click References | Find Full Text | Authenticate).

 

  • Enter your University login details on the Find Full Text Login screen (see right) then click Done
  • EndNote will now search for the PDF files and attach to the appropriate records.
Find Full Text login

 

The Find Full Text Group Set will appear in the Groups Panel. 

This group set provides details of the number of:

  • PDFs found and attached
  • PDFs not found
  • URLs for PDFs that were found but could not be sourced
Find full text on Mac

"Find Full Text" may not find all the pdf files due to various reasons.

  • The University of Newcastle Library does not have a current subscription to access the article
  • The article is too old to have a PDF available online
  • The article is ‘buried’ in an aggregated database and does not allow individual articles to be located
  • The journal has embargoed access to current articles
  • The publisher website does not support or allow this capability
  • Proxy or firewall issues are preventing access

You can always attach files manually if needed. See the Tab above for more details.

 

Watch the video on using the "Find Full Text" feature.

(This video is based on the Windows platform, but the process is the same for both Windows and Mac)

Attaching Files from PDFs with DOIs

 

If you have a collection of PDF files that contain DOIs, you can create EndNote records and attach the PDFs to their respective records automatically. 

Watch the video on adding references from PDF Files.

(This video is based on the Windows platform, but the process is the same for both Windows and Mac)

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