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Mendeley

An overview of the citation software Mendeley- an Elsevier product that is an online and desktop reference manager.

Desktop Reference Manager: Searching Within Mendeley's "Literature Search"

While you can easily use Mendeley while you browse in your favorite places on the web, it also has a built in feature where you can search works that have been added to Mendeley Web Libraries throughout the years. Our recommendation at IU Libraries would be to use this function in tandem with other databases and websites, as it may miss works in under researched topical areas.

  1. To use this function, open your Mendeley Software and click the "literature search" button at the top of the lefthand menu.
  2. You can search by author, title, year, or more.
  3. Once you find a result you are interested in, click it and select "Save reference" in the right hand tool bar.

Mendeley.com: Another Way to Search Literature

The Mendeley Reference Manager online does not have the literature search option included. Instead, you will have to start from the Mendeley website.

  1. To use this function, go to Mendeley.com and try a search in the search bar with the option set to "articles." (or people if you prefer)
  2. You can search by author, title, year, or more.
  3. Once you find a result you are interested in, click on the record and select "Add to Library" in the right hand tool bar. You may have to log in to see this.

Collaborating With Other Users

One benefit of making a Mendeley account is the ability to connect with and work with other users. The main issue is they also have to have a Mendeley account for full functionality.

You can create a new group in your Mendeley Desktop by right clicking "Groups" in the left menu bar, and then selecting "New Group" from the drop down menu.

You can create a new group in Mendeley Reference Manager by clicking "New Private Group" or "New Public Group" in the left menu bar.

Transferring Your Library to or from Zotero

Citation managers have their own 'language' in the form of a file format that most of them will recognize.

If you already have a library in Zotero, and want it in Mendeley:

  1. In Zotero, go to "File," then select "Export Library."
  2. Choose the RIS format, and whether you want to include notes or files. Click OK.
  3. Open Mendeley Reference Manager, and go to "Add New."
  4. Select "Import Library", "RIS", then pick the file on your computer.
  5. Watch your library come to life!

If you already have a library in Mendeley, and want it in Zotero:

  1. In Mendeley Reference Manager, go to "file", "export all."
  2. Pick RIS format, and save this file on your computer.
  3. Open Zotero, and go to "file", then "import."
  4. Choose RIS file type, then pick the file on your computer.
  5. Watch your library come to life!