LibGuides: EndNote 20: Backups and recovery

Back ups and recovery

Always have a back up !

It is highly recommended that you make a back-up copy of your EndNote library to guard against damage/loss. This also enables you to take your EN Library with you to another location.

Library .data Library .enl file

EndNote library is made up of an .enl file and an associated .data folder. To back up or move your library you need both of these files.

Windows or users - see below on how to save/compress to backup of your EN Library.

Windows
MAC

You can save your whole library, i.e. the .enl file and .data folder as a Compressed Library

Whist the EN Library is open, select File>Compress Library (enlx).
Choose Create or Create & Email, select whether or not to include File Attachments.
Choose either All References in Library, or Selected Reference(s) or All References in Group and click Next.
Choose the folder or drive (eg.USB drive) you want to save the Library. The file will have the extension .enlx
Use Endnote to open the .enlx file. It will unzip the Library and extract the .enl file and .data folder to the same folder where the .enlx file is located.

Note: Remember to re-compress your Library when you have finished any editing.

There are two ways to create backup copies:

1. You can save your whole library, i.e. the .enl file and .data folder as a Compressed Library

Whist the EN Library is open, select File>Compress Library (enlx).
Choose Create or Create & Email, select whether or not to include File Attachments.
Choose either All References in Library, or Selected Reference(s) or All References in Group and click Next.
Choose the folder or drive (eg.USB drive) you want to save the Library. The file will have the extension .enlx
Use Endnote to open the .enlx file. It will unzip the Library and extract the .enl file and .data folder to the same folder where the .enlx file is located.

Compress Library options on a Mac

Note: Remember to re-compress your Library when you have finished any editing.

2. Alternatively, go to File>Save a copy, select to save a file as a Package, which will also include the .data folder

Important: If you need the move or copy your EN Library to another location, you must include the .data folder to prevent file corruption or failure to open.