EndNote

Overview

EndNote is a commercial reference management software package, used to manage bibliographies and references when writing essays and articles. It is developed by Clarivate Analytics, a company that specializes in scientific and academic research technology. EndNote is available in a desktop version for Windows and macOS, and as an online-only version. The software is commonly used by researchers, scholarly writers, and students.

History

EndNote was created by Niles Software, a company founded in 1988. The first version of the software was released for the Apple Macintosh. In 1992, a version for Windows was launched. In 1999, Niles Software was acquired by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), which was later acquired by Thomson Reuters in 2008. The software was then included in the newly formed Intellectual Property and Science business of Thomson Reuters. In 2016, this business was sold to private equity firms and renamed Clarivate Analytics.

Functionality

EndNote allows users to search online bibliographic databases, organize references, images and PDFs in any language, and create bibliographies and figure lists. It also allows for the automatic creation of citations and bibliographies in a variety of styles, including those of most leading academic journals.

Reference Management

EndNote's primary function is as a reference management tool. It allows users to import references from various online databases. Users can add references manually or import them from a variety of databases such as PubMed Central, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar. Once imported, references can be organized and categorized according to the user's preference.

Bibliography Creation

EndNote can automatically generate a bibliography in a variety of citation styles. The software supports over 6,000 citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. Users can also create their own custom citation styles. The bibliography can be inserted into a Word document using the Cite While You Write feature.

Integration with Word Processors

EndNote integrates with various word processors, including Microsoft Word and Apple Pages. This integration allows users to insert citations directly into their documents and automatically generate a bibliography. The Cite While You Write feature allows users to select a reference from their EndNote library and automatically insert it into their document in the chosen citation style.

Versions

There have been several versions of EndNote, with each new version adding additional features and improvements. The most recent version, EndNote 20, was released in October 2020. This version introduced a new, simplified user interface and improved PDF reading and annotating functionality.

Reception

EndNote has been generally well received by its users, particularly for its wide range of features and its integration with word processors. However, it has also been criticized for its high cost, particularly for individual users, and for occasional software bugs.