While the import process will work well with the majority of journal articles in PDF format, the import process does not always work with every PDF file, and when it does work the resulting records might not always be completely correct.
As in the case when importing records from databases, after importing PDFs always check the information in the new record is complete and in the correct fields.
Most journal articles in PDF format now include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) code.
EndNote can extract the DOI from many of these PDFs and use CrossRef (an online database of references) to obtain the bibliographic details.
Because this process is using an online database, you must be online for this to work. This process seems to fail with some Internet service providers (possibly security features block the direct online database access used) .
In short, this means EndNote can automatically create references from some PDF files.
Not all PDF files will work with this process.
Your computer needs to be online when you do this (the referencing information is downloaded from an online database, using the DOI found in the PDF).
1. Click File ► Import ► File
2. Click Choose to select your PDF file , and ensure the Import Option is PDF (it is at the very top of the list of alternatives)
3. Click Import.
If the process is successful, a complete reference will be added into your library, with the PDF attached.
If not successful, a very brief reference shall be created, using the PDF filename as the title. The PDF will be attached.
If all your PDFs are in a single folder, you can import multiple PDFs.
Your computer needs to be online when you do this (the referencing information is downloaded from an online database, using the DOI found in the PDF).
1. Click File ► Import ► Folder
2. Click Choose to select the folder containing the PDF files , and click Import.
Successfully processed PDFs will result in complete references in your Library, each with the appropriate PDF attached.
Unsuccessfully processed files will result in very brief references with the PDF filename as the title of the reference and the PDF attached.
This happens when the PDF does not contain a DOI, or the PDF is incorrectly formatted (e.g. scanned images of the pages instead of text), or where your computer is not online when you import the PDF(s).
While the PDF file is still added to EndNote, note carefully how the PDF file name becomes the reference title, and no data is added to any other fields.
To correct this you must type in the fields manually (or copy-paste them from the PDF).