RefWorks: Frequently Asked Questions

Adapted with permission from the RefWorks FAQ at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

  1. Can I access RefWorks from off-campus?
  2. I'm working on a group project. Can we share a RefWorks account?
  3. I'm using Mozilla Firefox and having problems accessing RefWorks. Is there a solution?
  4. When I try to export references from an online database with a RefWorks option, nothing happens. What do I do?
  5. My bibliography is not coming out correctly. Why?
  6. Why does my bibliography have incorrect data included in the output document?
  7. How do I back up my references?
  8. How do I import references from my EndNote database?
  9. Can I keep or migrate my RefWorks database when I graduate or leave Concordia?
  10. What happens to my data if Concordia decides to cancel its subscription to RefWorks?
  11. How can I find out what the Concorda College Group Code is?
  12. When I try to use Write-N-Cite from home, the Write-N-Cite window pops up, but then I get an "Action cancelled" message. What's wrong?
  13. I can't get Write-N-Cite to create a final document. What's wrong?
  14. I am having problems with RefWorks: I can't log in or import a citation. What should I do?

1. Can I access RefWorks from off-campus?

Yes, you can access RefWorks from off-campus. Simply use the off-campus link.

2. I'm working on a group project. Can we share a RefWorks account?

Yes. RefWorks does not limit the number of accounts you create. Every account can have two types of access--full and read-only. Full access requires everyone to log in with the same login name and password. Read-only requires users to log in with the login name and a read-only password that has been established. Read-only access allows people to search, export, and print bibliographies, but not add, edit, or delete references.

3. I'm using Mozilla Firefox and having problems accessing RefWorks. Is there a solution?

Yes. In Firefox, look for a blue exclamation point icon in the lower left-hand side of your screen; it indicates that Firefox's popup blocker is active. Click the exclamation point and in the "Blocked Popups" window that appears, click "Unblock Site." Next, click your brower's refresh button and log into RefWorks. Unblocking the RefWorks popup should only need to be done once per Firefox install/user profile.

4. When I try to export references from an online database with a RefWorks option, nothing happens. What do I do?

Check to see if the popup window blocker is enabled in your browser or personal firewall software.

5. My bibliography is not coming out correctly. Why?

Make sure the information in each record is in the correct fields. RefWorks prints out what is stored, so if data is missing or not in the correct firelds, your output may be incorrect. Always check to be sure the data in the database is correct before formatting a bibliography.

6. Why does my bibliography have incorrect data included in the output document?

The output style takes the data from a particular field and inserts it into the bibliography. If the data in the field is incorrect it will appear to be wrong in the output format. For example, if you see a book title in your bibliography that looks like: Google Hacks [Monograph], you will find that the title in your data includes the [Monograph]--it was not added by the output style.

If you see something like this for the volume number of a journal: Vol. 13 vol., it is because one Vol. was imported with the data. The problem may be with the way the data is imported rather than with the output style. Always check to be sure the data in the database is correct before formatting a bibliography.

7. How do I back up my references?

You can backup your citations on your computer by using the Backup/Restore feature. Select the Tools menu and then choose Backup/Restore. You'll be presented with the option to Include Reference and/or Include Output Styles. Click on the Perform Backup button. Your folders are automatically included. A copy of your database will be downloaded onto your computer in a zipped file that can only be used in the Restore feature of RefWorks. When you restore your RefWorks database, it overwrites all information currently stored in your account. if you need to view or move your data, use the Export option in RefWorks.

8. How do I import references from my EndNote database?

If you are using EndNote, version 8 or higher:

1. Log in to RefWorks.

2. Select References > Import EndNote V8 Database.

3. Click the Browse button and locate your EndNote .enl file.

4. Specify a folder to import the references into.

5. Click the Import button.

If you are using EndNote, version 7 or lower:

1. In EndNote, select the correct Output Style for the export. Select Output Styles from the File menu. Select RefMan (RIS) Export. (If you do not see this format, open the Style Manager and check the RefMan format.)

2. Select the references you want to export.

3. Under the Reference menu, select Show Selected (or Show All if you wish to export the entire database).

4. Select Export from the File menu.

5. Select a location and save the file, using Text as your "Save As" type.

6. Log in to RefWorks, and select Import from the References menu.

7. Select Desktop Biblio. Mgt. Software as your Import Filter and EndNote as your database. Browse for and select the file you created in EndNote.

8. Click Import.

Import no more than 2500 records (or 3MB) at a single time. This will ensure a successful import.

9. Can I keep or migrate my RefWorks database when I graduate or leave Concordia?

You can convert your account to an individual subscription. Contact RefWorks technical support for information. You can also export your reference data in several formats using one of RefWorks export options.

10. What happens to my data if Concordia decides to cancel its subscription to RefWorks?

You will be notified prior to cancellation. At that time, you can purchase an individual subscription to RefWorks or you can export your entire database to use in a database program like EndNote or ProCite.

11. How can I find out what the Concorda College Group Code is?

Please ask a librarian.

12. When I try to use Write-N-Cite from home, the Write-N-Cite window pops up, but then I get an "Action cancelled" message. What's wrong?

The "Action cancelled" message is typical of a computer with Norton computer security software installed that is impeding RefWorks. Change your security software settings to allow access to RefWorks/Write-N-Cite. We do not recommend that you disable your firewall or other security software, however.

13. I can't get Write-N-Cite to create a final document. What's wrong?

Make sure all the popup blockers in Internet Explorer are disabled, even if you use Firefox.

14. I am having problems with RefWorks: I can't log in or import a citation. What should I do?

Try clearing your Web browser's cache, offline files and cookies. Then close all browser windows and try again.

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