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EndNote

Guidance on using EndNote software at the University of Adelaide

Sort & search your references

Quick sorting

Sort your library references quickly by clicking on any of the displayed field headings to sort by ascending or descending order.

Screenshot of the field headings In an EndNote library.

Changing the sort order

The Sort Library function provides a way to arrange all references showing in the Library window for browsing, exporting, printing, or copying. Click on Library > Sort Library.

  1. Select one or more field names from the lists in the dialog boxes. Enter the field names in the order you want the references sorted. (You do not have to use all five options.)

  2. Click the button to the right of each field to indicate ascending or descending order.

  3. Click OK when done.

Screenshot displaying the Sort Library function in EndNote.

Simple search

Search your EndNote library for any word using the Simple search option above the reference list. This will search for any word or phrase from any field in your EndNote library or within the PDFs.

Advanced search

Use Advanced Search for a more specific or complex search of your library references. You can search your whole EndNote library or only within the displayed references.

The search line includes the Field to be searched, the Comparison operator (Contains, Is, Is less than, etc) and a blank field where you enter your search terms. The Field list allows you to restrict your search to a particular field such as Author, Year, or Keywords - or all fields. By default, the Field lists are set to search Author, then Year, then Title.

You can also restrict your search  to PDF files attached to a reference by selecting the PDF option from the field list.  The Any Field + PDF with Notes option allows you to search any field in a reference and within all PDF files in the selected group that you are searching.

Screenshot of the advanced search function in EndNote.

Search tips:

  • Use the asterisk (*) wildcard before or after your search terms to expand your results.
  • Use the plus or minus buttons to the right of each search line to insert or delete a line.
  • Use the Boolean operators And, Or, Not from the drop-down list between search lines to indicate how the search lines are to be combined.
  • If you frequently use the same search strategies on the Search tab, you can use the Search options button to save these searches and later load them when you need them.

Screenshot of Advanced search options in EndNote