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EndNote

A comprehensive guide to the reference management software EndNote.

Modifying a reference style

You may sometimes need to modify an existing EndNote reference style to better suit your referencing needs.

Note: It is difficult to save a modified style in the main EndNote styles folder, so we recommend you start by creating a personal styles folder.

Create a personal styles folder

  • Go to where you normally save documents on your personal computer (eg. Documents)
  • Create a new folder called Personal EndNote styles
  • (Windows/PC): Navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\EndNote version\Styles (or C:\Program Files\EndNote version\Styles)
  • (Mac): Navigate to Applications > EndNote version > Styles
  • Find the style you want to modify, e.g., APA 7th, right click and select Copy
  • Paste the copied file into your Personal EndNote Styles folder
  • Rename the copied file, e.g. APA 7th modified

Modify the reference style

  • Double click your style file e.g., APA 7th modified, to open it in the EndNote Output Style Manager

The following example show you how to add a field for a translated title to the Book template:

  • Double click your personal style file e.g. APA 7th modified, to open it in the EndNote Output Style Manager
  • Click a section on the left column to edit this style, e.g., Bibliography > Templates


 

Most often style editing is done in two main areas:

  • Citations > Templates for modifying the in-text citations
  • Bibliography > Templates for modifying the reference list entries

Make your modifications:

Example: modifying a Book template in the APA 7th style. The original style template was: 

Author. (Year). Title| (|Translator, Trans.| Editor Ed.^Eds.| Edition ed.| Vol. Volume|)|. Publisher|.

  • We will include the addition of "Translated Title" as an alternative field to the template:

    Author. (Year). Title| [Translated Title]| (|Translator, Trans.| Editor Ed.^Eds.| Edition ed.| Vol. Volume|)|. Place Published|: Publisher|.

  • Close and save the file

Certain symbols such as "|" have distinct meanings. These resources will be very useful:

Connect your modified style

  • Open your EndNote library
  • Windows/PC:  select Edit > Preferences > Folder Locations 
  • Mac: select EndNote version > Preferences > Folder Locations
  • Use the Select Folder button to change the Style Folder location, to the location of your Personal EndNote Styles folder

          

  • Click Save
  • Open your EndNote library, choose Select Another Style from the Style Menu
  • Check your modified style has been added to the list
  • Highlight your modified style and click Choose to make it your new style

Note: You should also change the style in the EndNote CWYW tab in Word to this modified style.