RefWorks: Exporting from Databases

Select a database from the list below for instructions on exporting (or saving records to text files and importing them) into RefWorks.
If working off campus you may be prompted for a remote access login. Please use the Group Code given in the confirmation e-mail you received at RefWorks registration, or contact the Research Assistance Desk (6201 5082) for the UC Group Code.

ACM Digital Library JSTOR
American Physiological Association LexisNexis
AustLit MathSciNet (AMS)
BioMed Central MetaPress
CAB Direct OECD iLibrary
Cambridge Journals Online Ovid
Cochrane Library Oxford Journals

Project Muse 
Current Contents Connect Proquest
EBSCOhost
Emerald PubMed (& PubMed Central)
Gale InfoTrac Sage
Google Scholar ScienceDirect
HeinOnline Law Journal Library Scopus
Highwire Press SpringerLink
IEEE Xplore UC Library Catalogue
Informaworld (Taylor & Francis) UCanSearch
Informit Web of Science
IngentaConnect
 Wiley Online Library

If your database is not listed above, look for alternative export or save options:

  • If there is an export/save option for EndNote, you may be able to import into RefWorks using the Refer Format import filter
  • If there is an export/save option for Reference Manager, you may be able to import into RefWorks with the RIS Format import filter
  • If there is an export/save option for Medline, you may be able to use NLM PubMed as the import filter

ACM Digital Library

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select 'full citation' to view a citation you wish to save. 
  3. Click the link to Display in BibTeX format. 
  4. Copy and paste your results into a Document and Save As a plain text (.txt) file. 
  5. Log in to RefWorks.
  6. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  7. Select BibTeX as the data source and ACM Digital Library as the database.
  8. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder.
  9. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  10. Click Import.
  11. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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American Physiological Association

  1. Conduct your search
  2. Tick the boxes next to the articles you want to export
  3. From the top of the results list, select ‘download to citation manager’
  4. Click ‘Go’
  5. Click the link ‘Download ALL selected citations to citation manager’ on the top right of screen
  6. Click ‘Refworks’ (being careful to click on the word ‘RefWorks’ and not the sentence below as this links to elsewhere)
  7. Log in to RefWorks.
  8. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder

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AustLit

  1. Perform a search and mark the references you want to export.
  2. Scroll down page to Select Works frame and change radio button to Marked.
  3. Format on Screen: Select tagged text from drop down menu options, and Show.
  4. Select File Save As from your browser and select Text as the Save As file type.
  5. Click Save.
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  8. Select Australian Literature as the data source and AustLit as the database.
  9. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder.
  10. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  11. Click Import.
  12. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

BioMed Central

  1. Log on to the BioMed Central database using your email address and password that you have previously registered with BioMed OR Register.
  2. Conduct your search.
  3. Mark the references you want to export by clicking the checkbox next to each record, or select the entire page.
  4. In the Send section of the Search Results page, make sure the drop down menu is showing Selected Items.
  5. Select Send to RefWorks. Note: you can choose to send with or without abstracts.
  6. Click the Send button.
  7. Log in to RefWorks and your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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CAB Direct

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select the items you wish to save.
  3. Select Download Selected Citations (in right frame).
  4. Select Full record format
  5. Save as .ris file on your computer 
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  8. Select CAB Direct as the data source and CAB Direct as the database.
  9. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  10. Click Import.
  11. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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Cambridge Journals Online

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select the item you wish to save.
  3. Select Save/Export/View Citation.
  4. Click Export Citation.
  5. Choose File Format: RIS.
  6. Click Download.
  7. Save the file to disk.
  8. Log in to RefWorks.
  9. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  10. Select RIS Format as the data source and RIS Format as the database.
  11. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  12. Click Import.
  13. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

Cochrane Library

  1. Perform a search and mark the references you want to export. RefWorks requires citations from Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Controlled Clinical Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trial & Health Technology Assessment Database  to be imported separately.
  2. Select 'Export Selected Citations' at the bottom of the screen.
  3. On the Citation Export screen, select Export type 'Citation' or 'Abstract & Citation' and File Type. Click Go.
  4. Save to your computer/disk in text or RIS Format.
  5. Log in to RefWorks.
  6. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  7. Select Cochrane Library as the data source.
  8. Select your database.
  9. You have the option to specify a folder for the import.
  10. Browse to find the saved references.
  11. Click Import and your records should appear in the last imported folder.

Editing your references. The Source field transfers in unnecessary data.

  1. Click the radio button to select All in list.
  2. Select Global Edit.
  3. In Field to edit select Periodical, Full.
  4. Change the field to Cochrane Library.
  5. Select Overwrite Existing Data and select OK.

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Current Contents Connect 

  1. Conduct your search and mark the records you want to import.
  2. Click Add to Marked List (this must be done for each page where you have selected citations).
  3. When finished, go to Marked List.
  4. Under Select the Fields to include, in addition to author, title and source (defaults), you may also wish to include Keywords and Abstract.
  5. Under Select an Option, click Save to File.
  6. Using your browser's Save As function, navigate to the local drive and directory where you want to save the file. 
  7. Select Text as the file type. 
  8. Click Save. 
  9. Log in to RefWorks.
  10. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  11. Select ISI (Institute for Scientific Information) as the data source and Current Contents Connect as the database.
  12. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  13. Click Import.
  14. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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EBSCOhost

To perform a direct export

  1. Conduct a search.
  2. Click the Add to folder to select results you want to save.
  3. Click Folder View on the right-hand side of the screen.
  4. Select the items you wish to export by clicking in the box next to individual items or by clicking the All link.
  5. Click the Export icon.
  6. Select Direct Export to RefWorks. Note: Check the Remove these items from folder after saving feature, if you want the items to be deleted from the folder after performing the export.
  7. Click the Save button to begin the direct export.
  8. Log in to RefWorks and your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

To save and import records 

  1. Conduct a search.
  2. Click the Add to folder to select results you want to save.
  3. Click Folder View on the right-hand side of the screen.
  4. Select the items you wish to export by clicking in the box next to individual items or by clicking the All link.
  5. Click the Export icon
  6. Click the radio button in front of General bibliographic management software.
  7. Click Save.
  8. Using your Browser's Save As function, navigate to the local drive and directory where you want to save the file.
  9. Under File name, type the file name to be saved.
  10. Select Text Document as the file type.
  11. Click Save.
  12. Log in to RefWorks. 
  13. Select References/Import from the toolbar. 
  14. Select EBSCOhost as the data source and select the appropriate database. 
  15. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder. 
  16. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  17. Click Import. 
  18. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder. 

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Emerald

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select 'View all results'.
  3. Tick boxes to select items to be saved (maximum 10 items).
  4. Next to 'Add to Marked List' Session box click GO.
  5. On left frame click 'Marked Lists'.
  6. Check box next to each item, or 'Select All'.
  7. Click on 'Export Options'.
  8. Click on 'Export to RefWorks'.
  9. Log in to RefWorks.
  10. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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GALE InfoTrac

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select the records you want to export by clicking the checkbox next to each record.
  3. When finished, click 'Marked Items' at the top of the page.
  4. Select 'Citation Tools' from the Tools box. 
  5. Next to export to third party software, Click the radio button in front of REFWORKS.
  6. Click the EXPORT button.
  7. Select RefWorks link below citation details. 
  8. Log in to RefWorks.
  9. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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Google Scholar

To set up the direct export feature in Google Scholar

  1. From the Google Scholar search page, open the Scholar Preferences page.
  2. Scroll down to the Bibliography Manager section.
  3. Click the radio button in front of 'Show links to import citations into' and select RefWorks from the drop-down menu.
  4. Click Save Preferences.

To initiate a direct export to RefWorks

  1. Conduct your search in Google Scholar.
  2. Each record displayed will have an 'Import into RefWorks' link.
  3. Clicking on the link will launch the RefWorks login page.
  4. Once you log in, you are brought to the Edit view of the reference. If you do not wish to edit the record, navigate to another area of RefWorks.
  5. Your record is stored in the Last Imported Folder. 

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HeinOnline

In HeinOnline the citations to articles in the Law Journal Library section of the database can be exported to RefWorks.

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Tick the box to left of the records you wish to transfer into RefWorks. 
  3. Below the search results select "Save to MyHein Bookmarks" and Save.
  4. Select default tag "general" and then "Enter into Research".
  5. Directly under the confirmation message is  the text: To view your saved bookmarks to date, click here. Click on the red 'here'.
  6. The new page is My HeinOnline Saved Bookmarks. Mark the records you wish to send to RefWorks.
  7. In Options drop down menu select "Export to Refworks (Journal Articles) and Submit.
  8. Click on Export to RefWorks and the RefWorks log in screen will appear.
  9. Log in to RefWorks, and your records should appear in the Last imported Folder.

Highwire Press

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select the records you want to export.
  3. Go to top or bottom of results page, Select download to citation manger and GO.
  4. Click on Download to Citation Manager at top of screen under "you selected x citations/abstracts".
  5. Select RefWorks, on the left of screen (click on the word "Ref
    Works" and not the sentance below as this links elsewhere).
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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IEEE Computer Society Digital Library

  1. Conduct your search
  2. Select the items you wish to save
  3. Select 'Download Citation'
  4. Choose to send with or without abstracts (i.e. summaries).
  5. Format: choose 'RefWorks'
  6. Click 'Download Citation'
  7. RefWorks will open. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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Informaworld (Taylor & Francis)

  1. Conduct your search and Add to Marked List from the Selected drop-down.
  2. When you are ready to export, click on the View Marked Lists link.
  3. Select the items in your list and select Download Citation from the Selected drop-down.
  4. Select RefWorks from the Choose a format drop-down.
  5. Select Citation and Abstract and Download file.
  6. You will be prompted to save a . ris file to your computer.
  7. Log in to RefWorks.
  8. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  9. Select RefWorks Tagged Format as the data source and database.
  10. Browse to find the . ris file you saved to your computer.
  11. Click Import.
  12. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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Informit

To perform a direct export

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. From your search results, mark the references you want to export and click Save.
  3. From the Save Records page, select RefWorks Direct from the output format drop-down menu.
  4. Check that the radio button next to Marked Records is selected and then click the Save Records button.
  5. Log in to RefWorks and your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

To save & import records

  1. From your search results, mark the references you want to export and click Save.
  2. To save to a text file, select Short Field Labels as the label format, Complete Record as the fields to save, and Plain Text as the output format.
  3. Check that the radio button next to Marked Records is selected and then click the Save Records button.
  4. From the File Download pop-up, click Save.
  5. Using your Browser's Save As function, navigate to the local drive and directory where you want to save the file.
  6. Under File name, type the file name to be saved.
  7. Select Text Document as the file type.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Log in to RefWorks. 
  10. Select References/Import from the toolbar. 
  11. Select Informit as the data source and select the appropriate database. 
  12. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder. 
  13. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  14. Click Import. 
  15. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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IngentaConnect

  1. Conduct your search, select the records you want to import to your marked list and click Update marked list.
  2. Click the Marked List link at the top of the page. 
  3. Click Export (plain text).
  4. Using your Browser's Save As function, navigate to the local drive and directory where you want to save the file.
  5. Select Text as the file type.
  6. Click Save.
  7. Log in to RefWorks.
  8. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  9. Select Ingenta as the data source and select the appropriate database.
  10. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder.
  11. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  12. Click Import.
  13. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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JSTOR

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select records you want to import into RefWorks.
  3. Click on Export this Citation.   
  4. On Export Citations screen select RefWorks.
  5. Log in to RefWorks when the RefWorks screen appears.
  6. Your records should appear in the Last Imported folder.

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LexisNexis

  1. Information from LexisNexis must be entered into RefWorks manually.
  2. After logging in to RefWorks, click References and select Add New Reference.
  3. Choose the appropriate Ref Type (for example newspaper article).
  4. Note the fields available.
  5. Copy the information from LexisNexis field by field and paste to the appropriate field in RefWorks.

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MathSciNet (AMS)

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Save citations by clicking the Add to Clipboard button.
  3. Review your marked citations by clicking the View Clipboard link. 
  4. Select format Citations (BibTeX) and click Text.
  5. Using your Browser's Save As function, navigate to the local drive and directory where you want to save the file and save the file in the text (.txt) format.
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  8. Select BibTeX as the data source and MathSciNet as the database.
  9. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder.
  10. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  11. Click Import.
  12. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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MetaPress

  1. Register to set up your own account.
  2. Do your search.
  3. Open a record and select Mark Record at the top of the page.
  4. Go to open Mark list in the left frame.
  5. Download in RIS format.
  6. Save the file to disk.
  7. Log in to RefWorks.
  8. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  9. Select RIS Format as the data source and RIS Format (or Multiple databases?) as the database.
  10. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  11. Click Import.
  12. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

OECD iLibrary

  1. Conduct your search
  2. Select the references you want to export and Add to Marked List (icon at bottom of page)
  3. Open My Marked List
  4. Select one title link at a time to display the full record
  5. Select Cite this chapter/publication/working paper... link
  6. Select Download to: Import into RefWorks
  7. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder

Ovid

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select the references you want to export.
  3. Click on Results Manager (top of screen).
  4. Select Complete Reference in the Fields section.
  5. Select the Ovid format.
  6. Click the Save button.
  7. Select the appropriate platform style (Windows/Mac etc.) and click Continue.
  8. Click Save at the File Download prompt.
  9. Log in to RefWorks.
  10. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  11. Select OVID as the data source, select the appropriate database and your destination folder if appropriate.
  12. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  13. Click Import.
  14. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

Oxford Journals

  1. Conduct your search
  2. Check boxes for items you wish to export
  3. from the top of the results list, select 'download to citation manager'
  4. Select Go
  5. Select link 'Download ALL Selected Citations to Citation Manager'
  6. Select RefWorks link [Do NOT 'click here to download and save the file']
  7. Log in to RefWorks
  8. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder

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Project Muse

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. From the results list, select references: click on 'save citation' below the cover image.
  3. Click 'Saved Citations' at the top of the screen
  4. Click the 'Export to RefWorks' button
  5. Log in to RefWorks.
  6. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

Proquest

(Casual Users)

  1. Perform a search
  2. Tick the references you want to export.
  3. Mouse over the 'Export/Save' link at the top of the results list.
  4. Select 'Export to: RefWorks.' (This step may require pop-ups to be enabled in your browser)
  5. Log into RefWorks
  6. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

(Frequent Users - create a Proquest account and link with RefWorks)

RefWorks is owned by Proquest, so exporting can be streamlined for frequent users:

  1. Create a My Research account and add your RefWorks login, password, and the UC group code
  2. Search
  3. Tick articles to save
  4. Click 'Save to My Research'
  5. Choose target 'All Documents' or a RefWorks folder to store your article
  6. Click Save
  7. Your article has been added to RefWorks
  8. You can access all of your RefWorks references from My Research at the top of the screen, or by logging in to RefWorks

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PubMed

  1. Perform a search and mark the references you want to export.
  2. From the Send To option, select File as your destination.
  3. Select MEDLINE as your Format 
  4. select a Sort By option & click the Create File button. 
  5. Save the file to your desktop.
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  8. Select NLM PubMed as the data source and database.
  9. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder.
  10. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  11. Click Import.
  12. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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Sage

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Check items you want to send to RefWorks.
  3. Click Add to My Marked Citations bar in right frame.
  4. For marked citations select Email/Download/Print/Save option and GO.
  5. Select Citations and Abstracts in the Format: section.
  6. Select export/download to citation manager bar
  7. Select RefWorks bold link (NOT text below RefWorks link) 
  8. Log in to RefWorks.
  9. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

ScienceDirect

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Mark the records you want to export and click the Export citations button.
  3. Select Citations and Abstracts in the Content Format: section.
  4. Select RefWorks Direct Export in the Export Format: section.
  5. Click Export.
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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Scopus

  1. Conduct your search and mark your records for import.
  2. Click on the Export button.
  3. Select RefWorks direct export as the export format.
  4. Select Complete Format as your output format.
  5. Click the Export button.
  6. Log in to RefWorks*
  7. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

*You can bypass logging in by entering your RefWorks login information in your Scopus My Profile area and selecting RefWorks Settings.  Entering your information in this area will also allow Scopus to display a RefWorks icon next to records in Scopus that you already have in your RefWorks database, helping prevent the importing of duplicate records.

To Manually Save and Export Records:

Note: If you have EndNote installed on your computer the following directions may not work. An ISI Helper application may have been installed on your computer that is automatically called when you select the Export button. It will not allow you to save the information to text.

  1. Conduct your search and mark your records for import.
  2. Click on the Output button.
  3. Select Export as the desired output type.
  4. Select RefWorks direct export as the export format.
  5. Select the citation format you prefer.  For the most complete record, we recommend selecting Complete Format as your citation format.
  6. Click the Export button.
  7. You will be prompted to save a file called scopus.ris to your computer.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Log in to RefWorks.
  10. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  11. Select RIS Format as the data source and RIS Format as the database.
  12. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.

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SpringerLink

  1. Do your search.
  2. Select one title link at a time and display full record.
  3. Select Export Citation link.
  4. Select RefWorks and Export Citation.
  5. Save the RIS file to your computer.
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  8. Select SpringerLink as the data source and SpringerLink - RefWorks Tagged format as the database.
  9. Browse to find the RIS file you saved to your computer.
  10. Click Import.
  11. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

Taylor & Francis

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. In the results screen check box next to chosen records.
  3. Select 'Add to Marked List' in 'Choose an Action' drop down menu and click GO.
  4. Select 'View Marked List'.
  5. Check box next to each record, or Click box above list to Select All.
  6. Select 'Download Citation' in Choose an Action drop down menu and click GO.
  7. In 'Choose a Format drop down menu select RefWorks.

RefWorks Direct export is currently in development (July 2010). To import your references into RefWorks you need to do some additonal steps: 

  1. Select Download File.
  2. Save to your computer in RIS format.
  3. Log in to RefWorks.
  4. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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UCanSearch

  1. Do your search.
  2. Select the records you wish to save into Refworks.
  3. Select Export/Save option at top of screen.
  4. Choose "Directly to RefWorks" and click Export.
  5. Log in to RefWorks.
  6. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

UC Library Catalogue

Note: The best option for getting catalogue records into RefWorks is to log in to RefWorks'; Select  "Search" menu and Online catalog option. On the search screen select University of Canberra Library and do an Advanced Search.

Exporting records from the Library Catalogue

  1. Do your search.
  2. Select the records you wish to transfer to RefWorks, and Save Marked records.
  3. View saved records and select the records yu want.
  4. Select Format of List: Endnote/RefWorks.
  5. Select Send List to: Local Disk and then Submit.
  6. At the prompt to open or save the file to your computer, click the Save button.
  7. Under File name, type a file name, and click Save.
  8. Log in to RefWorks. 
  9. Select References/Import from the toolbar. 
  10. Select EndNote View as the data source and EndNote View as database. 
  11. You have the option to specify a folder for the import. If you don't choose a folder, your records will be put into the Last Imported Folder. 
  12. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  13. Click Import. 
  14. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

Web of Science

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select the record(s) to transfer to RefWorks.
  3. Select the data to include in each record from the Output Records section (step 2) that appears at the bottom of the page.
  4. Click Save to RefWorks to open the Processing Records page and to launch the export application.
  5. If JavaScript is enabled on your machine, then the export process will automatically start. Do not close your browser or click the Return button until processing completes.
    If JavaScript is not enabled, click Export to proceed. Depending on the browser that you are using, a series of dialog boxes will appear. Follow the instructions to proceed.  Once processing is completed a new window will open with the RefWorks login screen.
  6. Log into RefWorks.
  7. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder. 

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Wiley Online Library

  1. Conduct your search.
  2. Select the records you want to transfer to RefWorks.
  3. Click Export Citation.
  4. Select Plain Text as your format and Abstracts and Citations as your Export Type. Submit.
  5. You will be prompted to save a . txt file to your computer. Click Save and navigate to the local drive and directory where you want to save the file.
  6. Log in to RefWorks.
  7. Select References/Import from the toolbar.
  8. Select RIS Format as the data source and as the database.
  9. Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer.
  10. Click Import.
  11. Your records should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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Content Responsibility: Debbie.Mudin