Importing References into RefWorks

In order to import references into RefWorks, you must first export them from a database. Instructions for exporting references vary by search interface. Check the lists below to find the database you are using.

Printable version of this page (.pdf)

CSA

1. Select the records you want to export by clicking on the box next to the titles (a checkmark will appear).
2. Click on RefWorks in the yellow tab near the top of the results page.
3. Click on Export to RefWorks.
4. RefWorks opens in a new window. Log in with your username and password.
5. References are imported automatically.

EBSCOhost

1. Add items to folder, click on Folder has items.
2. Click EXPORT.
3. Choose Direct Export to RefWorks. Make sure pop-up blocker is turned OFF.
4. Click SAVE (left side of screen).
5. RefWorks opens in a new window. Log in with your username and password.
6. References are imported automatically.

Electronic Journal Center (OhioLINK)

1. From the gray box in the upper right corner of the Article Description page, choose Format/export as RefWorks.
2. RefWorks opens in the same window. Log in with your username and password.
3. References are imported automatically.

IEEE Xplore

1. Search IEEE Xplore.
2. Check mark the references to export.
3. Click view selected items.
4. Choose citation or citation and abstract.
5. Select RefWorks.
6. (RefWorks will open a new tab or window). Login to your RefWorks account
7. Your references are automatically loaded.

JSTOR

1. Click save citation, view saved citations.
2. Directly export citations into RefWorks.
3. RefWorks opens in a new window. Log in with your username and password.
4. References are imported automatically.

Lexis/Nexis

1. In the list of search results, check the boxes next to the article citations you would like to save.
2. Click the View Tagged button.
3. Click on the small book icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
4. Click Export.
5. RefWorks opens in a new window. Log in with your username and password.
6. References are imported automatically.

MathSci Net

1. Choose records in MathSciNet by clicking on the Clipboard link at each record.
2. Open the Clipboard by clicking on the View Clipboard link at the top right corner of the screen.
3. From the Select Format dropdown menu choose Citations (BibTex) and click on the Text button.
4. Copy all of the text.
5. Open RefWorks in another window.
6. In Refworks select References › Import.
7. From the dropdown box for Import Filter/Data Source, select BibTeX.
8. From the Database dropdown box, select MathSciNet(AMS) (BibText format)
9. (Optional) At the Import References dropdown menu choose a folder.
10. In the box under Import Data from the following Text paste the copied text from MathSciNet.
11. Click Import.

OCLC

1. Mark records by clicking in the box to the left of the records.
2. Click Export.
3. Choose Export to RefWorks.
4. RefWorks opens in a new window. Log in with your username and password.
5. References are imported automatically.

OhioLINK Central Catalog

1. Mark records by using the check boxes, save marked records, click on export records, choose view marked records.
2. Choose Full Display for format of list.
3. Under Send List To, choose Local Disk.
4. Submit and save to disk. Save as .txt file.
5. Open RefWorks.
6. In the References menu, choose IMPORT.
7. Use Import Filter/Data Source labeled Innovative Interfaces (INNOPAC).
8. Database: OhioLINK Library Catalog (full display) for WSU catalog and OhioLINK catalog.
9. Browse for the file you saved in step 4.
10. Click IMPORT.

NOTE: It is also possible to search the OhioLINK catalog through the RefWorks interface. Using this method, citations can be directly imported to your references list. Under the Search menu, click on Search Online Database. Select OhioLINK from the list.

OSearch

1. Click STORE under desired records.
2. Click STORED RECORDS at the top, click Export Records.
3. Under Export Formats, choose Direct export to RefWorks.
4. Under Other Options, choose Automatically import to bibliographic manager system.
5. Click on EXPORT NOW.
6. A RefWorks screen will appear; log in with your RefWorks username and password.
7. You will receive confirmation that new records have been imported.

OVID

1. Select the references you want to export.
2. In the Results Manager on the left, in the Fields section, select Complete Reference.
3. Under Result Format, choose Ovid. (You may have to scroll down to see it).
4. Go back up to the top of the Results Manager. Under "Actions", click "SAVE".
5. Choose the appropriate platform style.
6. Click Continue and save the file.
7. Open RefWorks.
8. Use Import Filter/Data Source labeled OVID.
9. Database: Journals@OVID, Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HaPI), or <Multiple Databases>.
10. Browse for the file you saved in step 6.
11. Click IMPORT.

ProQuest

1. Select citations.
2. Select My Research (market citations) tab.
3. Click Export Citations.
4. Choose Export directly to RefWorks.
5. RefWorks opens in a new window. Log in with your username and password.
6. References are imported automatically.

PubMed (NLM)

Option 1: Saving and Importing Text File

1. Change the Display option from Summary (if viewing results list) or Abstract (if viewing individual records) to MEDLINE.
2. Change the Send to drop-down menu to Text.
3. Under the File menu, select Save As and save as a text file.
4. Open RefWorks
5. In the References menu, click on IMPORT and use Import Filter/Data Source labeled NLM PubMed.
6. Browse for the file you saved in step 3.
7. Click IMPORT.

Option 2: Importing Using Copy and Paste

1. Move the references you want to keep to the Clipboard, then view the Clipboard.
2. Change the Display option from Summary to MEDLINE.
3. Click the Display button.
4. Change the Send To option to Text.
5. Click the Send To button.
6. Highlight all of the text [keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+A] and copy it [Ctrl+C].
7. Open RefWorks.
8. In the References menu, choose IMPORT.
9. Use Import Filter/Data Source labeled NLM PubMed .
10. Check the circle next to “Import Data from the Following Text”.
11. Paste the copied text into the box [Ctrl+V].
12. Click the IMPORT button.

NOTE: It is also possible to search PubMed through the RefWorks interface. Using this method, citations can be directly imported to your references list. Under the Search menu, click on Search Online Database. Select PubMed to from the list.

QuickSearch from OhioLINK
For multiple records:

1. From results list or full record, click the folder icon (add to basket).
2. Click “My Stuff” to view your folder.
3. Select the desired records.
4. Click "Selected". (It is a link in the grey area above the list of results).
5. Save. (You may need to scroll down to see the “save” button).
6. In the dialog box, under Record Format, choose RefWorks. You will be prompted to log into RefWorks.

For a single record:

1. From the full record display, click the disk icon (save record).
2. In the dialog box, under Record Format, choose RefWorks.