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EndNote Bibliographic Software

04/12/2003 Is it possible to transfer a Windows EndNote library to EndNote on a Macintosh (and vice-versa)?

Answer (supplied by EndNote): EndNote Libraries that are created on the Mac version of EndNote (any version) or the PC version of EndNote (any version) are compatible across platforms; they can even be shared over a mixed-platform network. No conversion is necessary.

Windows to Macintosh

  1. If you are on a network you can simply copy the library from the PC to the Macintosh. If the machines are not networked you can transfer the files via portable media (CD, floppy, zip disk, USB key drive, etc.) or you can email the file(s) to yourself.
  2. In the EndNote program on the Macintosh, choose Open from the File menu and select Open Library. As long as the library has the .enl extension, EndNote will display it.
  3. Select the library and click Open. If the library does not have the .enl extension as part of the file name, EndNote may not recognize it. In this case, press the SHIFT key down, then choose the Open Library command. When the dialog appears, release the SHIFT key. You should now be able to locate and open the library.

Holding down the SHIFT key in order to open the library is only necessary the first time you open a library after transferring it from a PC. Once the library has been opened in EndNote on a Macintosh, it maintains the EndNote Macintosh icon and can be opened just like any other library created by EndNote on the Macintosh.

Macintosh to Windows

Any library created by EndNote or EndNote on a Macintosh can be used by EndNote for Windows. No conversion is necessary, however you should change the name of the library to include the .enl extension (for example, Medicine.enl).

  1. If you are on a network you can simply copy the library from the Mac to the PC. If the machines are not networked you can transfer the files via portable media (CD, floppy, zip disk, USB key drive, etc.) or you can email the file(s) to yourself.
  2. Start the EndNote program in Windows. (If you see a dialog prompting you for a reference library file, choose Cancel.)
  3. Select Open from the File menu, and choose Open Library. Under "Look in" navigate to the location of the library you want to open. If your library does not have the extension .enl or *.lib it will not appear in the dialog. If that is the case, select All Files *.* from the file type list at the bottom of the dialog and you should be able to see your library.
  4. Select your library and click Open.

If this information is inadequate, incorrect, or can be improved in any way, please let us know