Searching Online Databases

EndNote’s search interface provides a simple way to do basic searches of EndNote libraries and online databases. The same Advanced Search panel is used for both purposes.

This search interface is not intended to replace the advanced search options that may be available using the search interface offered by your information provider. There may be times when you want to use the information provider’s search interface (for example, to take advantage of a thesaurus of search terms) and then import those references into EndNote. This is still an option using EndNote’s Import command (see Importing Reference Data into EndNote). But once you know the terms that you want to use in your searches, being able to retrieve the necessary references directly from EndNote is a very fast and efficient approach.

How Does It Work?

EndNote is able to provide access to these remote sources using an information retrieval protocol called Z39.50, which is widely supported by libraries and information providers around the world. It provides a convenient method to access their library catalogs and reference databases.

EndNote stores the information necessary to connect to and search these online databases in individual connection files. Preconfigured connection files are provided for a number of these sources. If necessary, you can also customize or configure your own connections to Z39.50-compliant databases (see Editing a Connection File and Creating Connection Files).

Note: If the online database that you access is not available on a Z39.50 server, EndNote will not be able to connect directly to it. You can still import references downloaded from non-Z39.50 databases. See Importing Reference Data into EndNote.