We recommend creating regular backups of your EndNote library and saving it in another location, preferably somewhere that is regularly backed up.

The File > Compressed library option, enables you to save a single backup file containing your references and any attachments.

Open your EndNote library.

1. Click on File > Compressed Library (.enlx) …
2. Select “Create”, “With File Attachments” and “All References in Library”.
3. Click on OK.
4. You’ll be asked where you want to save your compressed Library.
5. When saving the compressed Library, follow a naming convention that makes it easy to identify each backup, e.g., References 20220210 or References Feb 2022.
6. Click Save.

EndNote will then create the compressed Library. This can take a few minutes, depending on the size of your Library and the number of attachments.

Saving Compressed library (.enlx) backups to a CSU network drive OR external hard drive will reduce the risk of the loss of your data. If you do need to revert to a backup of your library, we recommend copying the compressed Library to your computer before opening it.

When you open a compressed library, it will automatically expand to form a .enl file and corresponding .Data folder. After which you can delete the copy of the compressed .enlx file that you copied to your local hard disk.