Skip to Main Content

EndNote 101

Everything you need to get started with EndNote.

Group Sets

In EndNote, you can organize your references by group sets and group. You can create multiple group sets and groups, placing numerous references in each group. 

Group sets allow you to group various custom groups or smart groups together. It can be useful to create a group set for each research project, class, discipline, topic, etc. you are researching. 

Creating a Group Set:

  1. Select Groups > "Create Group Set" from the top navigation menu OR right-click My Groups in the left navigation pane and choose "Create Group Set".
  2. The default name for a Group Set is "New Group Set". You may rename the Group Set by double-clicking on "New Group Set" and entering a name of your choice. 

You can create groups within that New Group Set or drag and drop existing groups under the New Group Set. 

Custom Groups

A Custom Group is built by manually adding individual references to the group.

Creating a Custom Group

  1. Select Groups > "Create Group" from the top navigation menu OR right-click My Groups in the left navigation pane and choose "Create Group".
  2. Enter a name for the group.
  3. Press Enter. The blank group will appear within the left navigation menu, displayed with a file box icon next to it.
  4. Drag and drop references from your All References list into your newly created group.. 

Deleting a Custom Group

  1. Locate the desired group within the left navigation menu and right click on it.
  2. Choose "Delete Group". Only the group name will be deleted; the references are still included in All References.

Smart Groups

A Smart group is compiled automatically is based upon a search string you create.

Creating a Smart Group:

  1. Select Groups > "Create Smart Group.." from the top navigation menu OR right-click My Groups in the left navigation pane and choose "Create Smart Group..".
  2. In the next popup Smart Group window, create a name for the Smart Group.
  3. Generate a search on the topic of your interest by entering the search terms in the appropriate search boxes.
  4. Click "Create". An automatically generated group of references will appear within the left navigation menu, displayed with a magnifying glass icon next to it.

Editing Smart Group:

  1. Locate the desired Smart Group within the left navigation menu and right click on it.
  2. Choose "Edit Group".
  3. In the next popup Smart Group window, edit the search strategy that was created for this group.
  4. Click "Save". The search strategy for that Smart Group has been updated.