Skip to Main Content

EndNote for Law (AGLC4)

How to set-up and use EndNote to create references according to AGLC4

Add references to EndNote

Now you have EndNote set-up, you will start putting references into your library.

Each reference record consists of a series of fields that describe the reference: title, author, publisher etc. You can fill in these fields manually but it is quicker and easier to use one of the below methods to import the information from another source.

Which import method is best?  Click on the links or scroll down for specific instructions:

Resource Type Best import method
Cases Manually create reference
Legislation Manually create reference
Journal Articles Export from database
Import a PDF
Books and ebooks Export from library catalogue
Reports

Australian parliament reports: Export from Trove Australia

Law Reform Commission reports: Export from Trove Australia
Treaties Manually create reference

Create reference from a PDF

If you already have a number of PDF documents saved on your computer that you want to cite, you can add these to EndNote.

  1. From your EndNote library, select File from the top menu bar, then Import, then File (to import one file) or Folder (to import multiple files  from one folder)
  2. Ensure PDF is selected from the Import Option drop-down menu
  3. Click Choose... and navigate to your saved PDF

Note: If your imported document has a DOI, EndNote will fill in the reference details for that source. Otherwise, it will create a blank reference record with the pdf attached, and the file title as the reference title

EndNote's 'Find Reference Updates' feature can often find the details of your reference automatically, so you don't need to manually type in each document's details. However, if your document does not contain a unique DOI (which most legal publications don't) EndNote can't find the reference details for your document without a bit of prompting. The easiest method is to:

  1. Put the title of the document into the Title reference field (copy/pasting from the document preview is a good shortcut)
  2. Save the changes you've made to the reference by clicking out of the reference and confirming the changes
  3. Right click on your reference and select 'Find Reference Updates...'. EndNote will search for the full details of the reference
  4. If EndNote finds a reference record that matches yours, it will let you decide which fields to update, usually you will select Update All Fields
    • if EndNote cannot find the details of your source, you will need to fill in the reference record manually - see below
  5. Your reference has been filled in. Review the details that have been added as you may need to adjust some entries: check for abbreviated journal names, author names with initials instead of full names etc.

 

demostration of find full reference

Export references from Databases

Many journal databases will generate an EndNote reference record automatically. This is particularly useful if you add references and PDFs to EndNote while you research.

The export option will be in a different place in each database, but look for terms like 'export', 'save' or 'cite'. Some databases will list EndNote as an export option, if this is not available, look for the option to download an RIS file.

NB Lexis Advance Pacific, Westlaw AU and AustLII do not offer a reference export feature. If your document came from one of these sources, you will need to create a reference record manually.

To export a citation from AGIS Plus text
  1. From the page of search results, place a tick in the check box next to each record you want to export
  2. Click Save in the citations toolbar (located above the first search result)
  3. On the Save Records page:
    • Under Records to Save, select Marked Records
    • In the Fields to Save drop-down menu, select Complete Record
    • In the Output format drop-drown menu, select EndNote
  4. Click Save
  5. When prompted, open the file with EndNote.
  6. The reference will now appear in your EndNote library

NB You will need to check your reference for unnecessary capitalisation of surnames, journal titles etc

demonstrate export citation from Informit

Export citation from HeinOnline
  1. From the article you wish to cite, click on 'Cite'
  2. At the bottom of the pop-up box, click on 'Export RIS file'
  3. Open the file with EndNote or ResearchSoft Direct Export helper
  4. You may be prompted to choose an import filter. If so, search for ProCite RIS, or any generic .ris file filter, select and choose.
  5. The citation should import and appear in EndNote

To setup Google Scholar to export to Endnote
  1. From the Google Scholar homepage, click on the Menu icon (≡) and select Settings
  2. Under 'Bibliography manager' select the button for 'Show links to import citations into' and select EndNote from the drop down menu
  3. Click Save
Export a citation from Google Scholar
  1. Under each search result in Google Scholar, there will now be an Import into EndNote option (you may need to click >> to see this option). Click this link
  2. Depending on your browser:
    • You will be prompted to open a file; select either EndNote or ResarchSoft Export Helper
    • A file will be downloaded; navigate to this file and open it with EndNote
  3. Your reference should now appear in EndNote

Export references from library catalogues

Most large institutional libraries, including UTAS, will allow you to export the citation details of any item in their catalogue.

Sometimes, you will need to install a Filter that allows EndNote to correctly read the data file provided by the library. For more information on Filters and to download the UTAS Library filter, click on the link below:

If you are citing an item that came from the UTAS library, you can export the item's reference details from the library catalogue.

  1. From the library homepage, search the catalogue and navigate to the record for your item
  2. On the right, under Additional Actions click the quotation mark icon
  3. Depending on your browser, you will then:
    • Navigate to the downloaded ris file and click on it. If prompted, choose to open the file with EndNote
    • In the dialogue box that pops up, from the drop-down menu select ResearchSoft Direct Export Helper OR EndNote, and click OK
  4. EndNote will open with the 'Choose an import filter' box. Select UTAS_Library_Catalogue-1 and click 'Choose'. If the UTAS filter does not appear in the list, ensure you have installed the UTAS Library filter, see link below.
  5. The reference is now in your EndNote library. Check the record to ensure all the required information is in the right fields and formatted correctly

 

demonstration of exporting citation from catalogue

Trove searches across materials held in nearly every Australian library, and can be used to export the details of Parliamentary documents, Government department reports, Government Gazettes, news articles and many other sources, across State and Federal jurisdictions.

To import a citation from Trove

  1. From your search result, click on 'Cite This'


     
  2. At the bottom of the pop-up box, click on EndNoteXML


     
  3. You will see a screen of xml code, right-click on the page and select 'Save Page As...'


     
  4. When saving this file, change the file type to 'All Files' and add .xml to the end of the file name, then Save


  5. Open EndNote, and click on File > Import > File...
     
  6. Under 'Import Option', select EndNote generated XML


     
  7. Navigate to the file you saved, click Open, then click Import

Most large libraries will give the option to export the reference from their public catalogue. Look for terms like 'export' 'save' or 'cite'. If EndNote is not offered as an option, look for RIS or XML.

Below is an example from the British Library:

Create citations manually

If you have imported a PDF where the reference details did not copy to the appropriate fields in EndNote, you can complete these fields manually.

To create the reference record for a pdf you have imported:

  1. Select the record you wish to complete - it will have the filename as the reference title. Ensure the reference pane is displayed, which may be on the right or bottom depending on the layout you have selected - you may need to select the tab labelled Reference.
  2. From the Reference Type drop-down menu, select the type of the reference:
  3. The fields you need to fill in will differ according to the type of reference. The filename in <angled brackets> should be replaced with the proper title
    • Refer to the AGLC4 to confirm what information must appear in your citation.
  4. To check the formatted citation, click on another record and confirm your changes when prompted. Now click on the Preview tab and you will see the citation as it will appear in your document

Selecting a Reference Type:

  • 'Electronic Article' should only be selected when an article is not available in printed form (AGLC3, 4.9)
  • 'Case' and 'Statute' refer to Australian sources

To create a reference without an attached PDF:

  1. Click the New Reference icon in the top toolbar OR press Ctrl + N
  2. Select the reference type from the drop-down menu
  3. The fields you need to fill in will differ according to the type of reference.  Refer to the AGLC3 to confirm what information must appear in your citation.
  4. Click away from the reference and confirm the changes to save your reference
  5. You can preview the formatted citation in the Preview tab
  6. You can attach a PDF to a this reference at any time
  • The UTS output style allows for a variety of case types as required by AGLC3 - ensure you select the correct type of case (Reported / Medium Neutral / Unreported etc) when completing the reference record
  • NB you will only need to complete the Law Report Abbreviation field (rather than the Reporter Abbreviation field) in most instances. Use the Preview tab to ensure your formatted citation contains all the necessary information

  • Enter the short title of the act in the Title of Act field, not in the Short Title field
  • In the Jurisdiction field, enter the abbreviated name of the jurisdiction (eg Cth or NSW)

  • NB you will need to enter the full Treaty Series reference in the field titled 'Treaty Series', including the volume number and the starting page

Correct formatting of reference fields

  • Enter years without brackets, EndNote will automatically apply the appropriate bracket style
  • Journal titles should be entered in full
  • Judges and their titles should all be listed in EndNote on one line exactly as you want them to appear, eg Gleeson CJ, Gummow & Hayne JJ
  • URLs should be entered into the URL field without brackets. When you have a URL you must also enter the Access Date (ie the full date you viewed the website)

Author Names

  • Names should be entered in the format: Surname, First Names
  • Where there are multiple authors, each name should be entered on a new line by pressing Enter at the end of a name
  • For corporate authors, add a comma at the end of the full name e.g. Victorian Law Reform Commission,
  • Enter the author's name in full, rather than using initials. If your selected style requires that initials be used, the output style will convert the name to initials