EndNote FAQ

You can import citations into EndNote using two different methods, connection files or filters.

Connection Files
Connection files allow you to search library catalogs through EndNote and then directly import citations. This method is very fast, and is good when you are searching for a known item. For more advanced searching, you'll want to use the filter.

Updating your Mirlyn Connection File
The connection file for "U of Michigan - Ann Arbor" that shipped with EndNote versions 9 and lower does not work with the current Mirlyn. To get the working file:

• Read the instructions for downloading and installing styles, connection files and filters
• Download the updated connection file if you have not done so already

Using the Connection File

1. In the EndNote Tools menu, select Connect in the drop down menu, and choose "Connect..." A new window listing Connection Files will open. Select U of Michigan-Ann Arbor to connect to the library catalog. Click on the Connect button. (In EndNote 5 and lower, go to the File menu to Connect.)
2. Two new windows will open. The first shows which database you have "Connected To:"; the second is the search window. In the search window, choose the fields and terms that you want to search and click on Perform Search.
   
3. A window will appear announcing the number of available results for your search terms. Select the number of records that you want to add to your library (keeping in mind that it takes up to a second to download each individual record). Click on OK.
4. In the temporary window that appears, you can view the different citations and choose which ones you want to enter in a permanent library. To copy them to a permanent library, highlight the citations you wish to keep and click on the Copy Reference To button. Records will be added to the selected library immediately.
   Note: To select more than one record, hold down the Control key (PC) or the Apple key (Mac) while using the mouse to click on the records.
5. When you are done close the temporary "Connected To:" window. You can discard the records when prompted - the selected records are already part of your permanent EndNote library.

Filters
When using a filter, you search a library catalog via the web, save your citations as a text file, and then import the text file into EndNote. This method is a little more cumbersome than using the connection file, but it gives you a lot more power to build a sophisticated search. It works well for browsing and loosely-defined topical searches in Mirlyn.

Updating your Mirlyn Filter file
There is no Mirlyn filter that ships with EndNote, so all users must download this file if they have never done so. We also made some changes to the file in October of 2005 - if you have an older version, you'll want to update it:

• Read the instructions for downloading and installing styles, connection files and filters
• Download the updated filter if you have not done so already

Using the Filter file

1. Go to http://mirlyn.lib.umich.edu and perform your search.
2. Click on the checkbox next to each citation to select citations for downloading.
3. Click on the Add to My Shelf button.
4. Enter description (optional) and click "Go"
5. Select My Shelf from the Mirlyn menu at the top of the window.
   
6. Once you are viewing your shelf, select the Print/Export/Mail All button.
7. From the Select Predefined Format pulldown menu, select RefWorks/EndNote/ProCite and click on the Go button at the bottom of the window.
   
8. Your citations will appear as text in your browser window. Go to the File menu and select Save As. Save your citations as text on your computer.
9. Go back to EndNote, go to the File menu, and select Import. Click on the Choose File button. Navigate to the text file that contains the citations you want to import and click on Open.
10. In the Import Option menu, select the Mirlyn (UM) filter. Click on the Import button. The records will be added to your EndNote library.