Remember these five things when you start to use EndNote.
1. EndNote can't do the referencing for you
EndNote is a piece of software which can simplify and speed up the process of managing your references and creating bibliographies if used correctly. It cannot, however, make a bad reference good. To use EndNote effectively you first need to understand how to reference properly.
Use our Referencing Guide and the online resource Cite Them Right for guidance.
2. You need to enter author names carefully (with some tricks)
EndNote displays author names in Word documents according to the referencing style chosen. To ensure that your author names display correctly, take care when typing them in/exporting from databases. You can use the ‘First Name Surname’ or ‘Surname, First Initial’ formats (e.g. Elaine Blair or Blair, E.) but certain rules apply.
Multiple authors need to be entered on separate lines within the Author field in your EndNote library. For example:
Anderson, J.
Emery, L.
Multiple authors on the same line will be treated as one author name and display incorrectly in Word. Separate them using the Enter/Return key.
Corporate authors, organisations and official bodies need to have a comma after them in the Author field. For example:
Queen Margaret University,
Without a comma, EndNote will try and display the name in the Surname, First Initial format (University, Q.M.).
3. Avoid deleting citations or references directly in Word
If you make a mistake in your Word document and want to delete an in-text citation or reference, do not use the delete key in Word as normal. When you insert citations from EndNote you create a link between EndNote and Word which contains lots of computer coding. If you use the delete key some of this coding can be left behind and corrupt your document. To delete an in-text citation and/or reference in Word properly:
Highlight > Edit & Manage Citation(s) > Edit Reference down arrow and Remove Citation > OK
If you do want to use the delete key, check you've deleted all the surrounding invisible code.
4. Avoid editing in-text citations or references directly
If you want to edit your in-text citations or references (for example, to correct a mistake, add a page number or refer to the author or date in your sentence) then do not do this directly in Word. Any changes you make will not be saved and will be overwritten by EndNote next time you open your Word document.
To edit a reference:
Highlight the in-text citation > Edit Library Reference(s). Make your changes within EndNote, close the reference (saving the changes if prompted), return to Word and click Update Citations and Bibliography.
To edit an in-text citation:
Highlight the in-text citation > Edit & Manage Citation(s). Change the formatting as required using the drop-down arrow and click on OK.
To add a page number:
Highlight the in-text citation > Edit & Manage Citation(s). Insert the page number (plus space beforehand if required, e.g. p.22) in the Suffix field and click on OK. (Please note the Pages field does not work with all styles; we recommend the Suffix field instead.)
5. Learn to use EndNote in good time and ask for help early!
EndNote is a tool designed to save you time. It will only do this if you learn how to use it effectively before starting your assignment. You do not have to use EndNote to produce comprehensive, accurate and consistent bibliographies. If you have already written your assignment, don’t try and use EndNote at the last minute, simply type your bibliography manually.
If you choose to use EndNote for future assignments ensure you do the following:
Opening EndNote from a QMU computer or remote desktop:
Start > type > EndNote
If any messages appear asking you to install or download software, ignore or cancel them.
You should be left with a blank window and are now ready to create your library.
Select File > New to create a new library. .
When prompted to save your new library, navigate to your personal file space and save the library with a meaningful or easily identifiable name. It is important that you create a back up library.
Start building your library!
To add references manually, choose References -> New Reference or click on the New Reference icon 
or use Control + N.
Chose your reference type, e.g. journal article; book; standard; thesis, from the drop down menu. This dictates the bibliographic information required.
Then simply Tab through the fields adding the information. EndNote allows you to add basic information and/or to store handy information such as keywords and notes about the material.
Congratulations, you have your first reference!
If copying or moving your Endnote library, remember there are two files that make up your library - the main .enl file and supporting .DATA file - you require both!
Creating back ups of your libraries is a good habit to get into - if the worst should happen and your data becomes lost or corrupted, you have a copy of the references compliled during the course of your research.
You can also sync your desktop Library with your online Library and the online Library will act as a back up.
You will find lots of useful videos on using EndNote via the EndNote Training YouTube channel.
Clarivate Analytics EndNote training materials include quick reference guides and EndNote Libguide.