The user can then import the citations into the EndNote software. Some databases (e.g., PubMed) requires the user to select citations, select a specific format, and save them as. This enables the user to select multiple citations and saves the user from having to manually enter the citation information and the abstracts.

Most bibliographic databases allow users to export references to their EndNote libraries. The program presents the user with a window containing a dropdown menu from which to select the type of reference they require (e.g., book, congressional legislation, film, newspaper article, etc.), and fields ranging from the general (author, title, year) to those specific to the kind of reference (abstract, author, ISBN, running time, etc.) There are several ways to add a reference to a library: manually, or by exporting, importing, copying from another EndNote library, or connecting from EndNote. EndNote groups citations into 'libraries' with the file extension *.enl and a corresponding *.data folder.

Essay endnote formats