What is RefWorks? 

RefWorks is a web-based bibliographic management service used for storing and organizing citations, as well as automatically formatting bibliographies. It is similar to EndNote and ProCite, but your citations are stored on the RefWorks server rather than on your local machine and thus you must be connected to the Internet to use RefWorks. 

Quick Links

• RefWorks Quick Start Guide [PDF]
• RefWorks Tutorial [Flash demo]
• RefShare Tutorial [Flash demo]
• CSUF Workshop on RefWorks (workshop held in the Faculty Development Center)
• Managing Your Citations with RefWorks [Workshop PDF]
  .
• Cal State Fullerton Support:
           RefWorksHelp@fullerton.edu

RefWorks FAQ  

1.      What is RefWorks?

2.      How do I access RefWorks?

3.      How do I set up a RefWorks account?

4.      Can I access RefWorks from off-campus?

5.      Where are my RefWorks citations stored?

6.      How do I back up my citations?

7.      How can I share my RefWorks database?

8.      How can I import database and library catalog search results into RefWorks?

9.      When I try to export citations from a database to RefWorks, nothing happens. What do I do?

10. Can I export my RefWorks citations to EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager?

11. Can I move my EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager citations to RefWorks?

12. What is Write-N-Cite and what does it do?

13. When using Write-N-Cite from off-campus, what should I do if I am asked for a Group Code?

14. Can I import records from Google Scholar?

15. Where can I get help with using RefWorks?

16. I am having trouble using the online catalog search feature, what should I do?

17.Can I use Write-N-Cite with Office 2007?

1. What is RefWorks?

RefWorks is a web-based bibliography and citation manager. RefWorks allows users to create their own personal citation databases by importing references from text files, online databases, or the SFX menu. The RefWorks Write-N-Cite feature allows for automatic formatting of footnotes, endnotes and bibliographies in papers using Word.

RefWorks is similar to other citation management software, such as EndNote, Reference Manager, and ProCite. The main difference with RefWorks is that it is web-based and can be accessed through a California State University, Fullerton institutional account from any computer, on or off campus. CSUF faculty, staff and students are all entitled to a free RefWorks account.

2. How do I access RefWorks?

RefWorks can be accessed from any Macintosh or Windows computer with internet access and one of the following web browsers:

• Internet Explorer Version 5.0 or later
• Netscape Version 4.7 or later
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari

3. How do I set up a RefWorks account?  

To set up an account, navigate to RefWorks using the link on the Pollak Library home page. If you are off campus, you'll be asked to authenticate with your campus portal login and password. Once you are identified as a Cal State Fullerton faculty, staff or student, you’ll be allowed free access to RefWorks. The User Login for California State University, Fullerton will appear.

Under New to RefWorks?, click on the Sign up for an Individual Account link.

In the New User Information for California State University, Fullerton window, enter your name, login name, password, Cal State Fullerton e-mail address, type of user, and area of focus. Once you’ve registered, a confirmation will be sent to your e-mail address. You’ll also receive periodic updates from RefWorks on enhancements and upgrades.

4. Can I access RefWorks from off campus?  

Yes, although you will need to go through the Pollak Library home page to access your account when you are off campus.

5. Where are my RefWorks citations stored?

Your citations are stored on the RefWorks server, which is not on campus. Pollak Library purchases a  subscription to RefWorks for the Cal State Fullerton campus.

6. How do I back up my citations?

You can backup your citations on your computer by using the Backup/Restore feature. Select References or Tools at the top of the page and then click on the Backup/Restore option. You’ll then be presented with the option to Include References and/or Include RSS Feeds. Click on the Perform Backup button. A copy of your database will be downloaded to your computer.

7. How can I share my RefWorks database?

RefWorks allows you to provide read-only access to your database. By creating and sharing a Read-only password, others will be able to search your database, export data and create bibliographies. They will not be able to edit references, import references or change folders.

To make your database read-only, click on Update User Info. Enter a read-only password (different from your original password) and click Update. With your login name and read-only password, users will be allowed to access your database in read-only mode.

8. How can I import database and library catolog search results into RefWorks?

Some databases have the option to directly export citations to RefWorks. For a list of the database publishers that provide a method for direct export to Refworks and detailed step-by-step instructions for each database (or database interface, like EBSCO), login to Refworks and then navigate to:

• http://www.refworks.com/Refworks/help/Exporting_from_Data_Services_and_Importing_into_RefWorks.htm
• Another list of database instructions is at:  http://www.lib.umich.edu/help/refworks/citation.html

Library catalogs may be searched from within RefWorks and the results of any searches seamlessly imported.  To accomplish this, login to RefWorks and select the Search menu.  Select the Pollak Library Catalog, or any one of numerous other catalogs listed. Do a Quick or Advanced Search.  Mark the results you wish to import, and click on the import button.

 9. When I try to export citations from a database to RefWorks, nothing happens. What do I do?

You have a couple of options. First, you can check to see if the popup window blocker is set on your browser.

In Netscape, go to Edit - Preferences - Privacy and Security - Popup Windows and see if the blocker is set. If set, you can add www.refworks.com as an allowed site.

If you’ve added the Google toolbar to Internet Explorer, the popup blocker may be set. Select Options. Under Accessories select the Options tab, and turn off the Popup Blocker.

 OR

Save your citations as text and import into RefWorks.

If you continue to have problems with exporting citations to RefWorks, you may want to save your citations as text and use RefWorks to import.  

Instructions for saving citations as text and importing into RefWorks are available at the following locations: 

• Be sure to login to Refworks before clicking this link.: http://www.refworks.com/Refworks/help/Importing_References.htm

• Another alternative:  http://www.lib.umich.edu/help/refworks/citation.html

 10. Can I export my RefWorks citations to EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager?

Yes. After logging in to RefWorks, click on References and select the Export option.  Then, select either All References or the specific folder you want to export. Select Bibliographic Software (for EndNote, Reference Manager, or ProCite). This format is sometimes called the RIS Format or Reference Manager Format.

Click the Export to Text File button. Save this file to your computer.

You may now import this file to your EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager library, using RIS Format as the import option.

 11. Can I move my EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager citations to RefWorks?

There are step-by-step instructions for converting an existing citation database into RefWorks in the Refworks Help feature at https://www.refworks.com/Refworks/help/Exporting_from_Bibliographic_
Programs_and_Importing_into_RefWorks.htm  Be sure to login to RefWorks before clicking this link.

These instructions cover EndNote, Reference Manager and ProCite, among other common citation management applications.

 12. What is Write-N-Cite and what does it do?

Write-n-Cite is a feature which allows you to access your references in RefWorks while working within Microsoft Word. Write-n-Cite allows you to insert citation placeholders and, when you are ready, to add a bibliography to the end of the document. Write-n-Cite will create a bibliography and properly format your in-text citations based upon only those references that have been inserted into your Word document. To install the Write-N-Cite plug-in, select Write-N-Cite under the Tools menu.

Write-N-Cite is compatible only with Windows PC users, using Microsoft Internet Explorer and running Microsoft Word 2000 or higher or Mac users using OS 10.X version 3 or higher and Word for Mac 98 or higher. Users with other operating systems, browsers or word processing software should use the One Line/Cite View feature which works very similarly to Write-N-Cite. See the online help in RefWorks or the RefWorks Tutorial for more information on Write-N-Cite or One Line/Cite View.

 13. When using Write-N-Cite from off-campus, what should I do if I am asked for a Group Code?

Cal State Fullerton is not using Group Codes to control access to RefWorks.  In order to get Write-N-Cite to open to the login screen for Cal State Fullerton, follow the instructions below after you have installed the Write-N-Cite plugin:

Windows Users:

1. On the off-campus PC workstation on which you have installed the Write-N-Cite plugin, click on the Start in the lower left of the screen, then select Programs, then RefWorks.

2. Select the WNC Proxy Configuration Utility.

3. Enter this URL: http://lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/login?url=https://www.refworks.com/Refworks/?WNC=true

4. Click OK.

Mac Users: At this time Write-N-Cite cannot be configured for Macs for off-campus use.  We are working with RefWorks to address the issue. 

14.  Can I import records from Google Scholar?

Yes, RefWorks users can now set an export preference to send data from Google Scholar to their RefWorks account with the click of a button.  

To set this feature up in Google Scholar:

1. From the Google Scholar search page, click on the Scholars Preferences link..  

2. Scroll down to the Bibliography Manager section.

3. Select Show Links to Import into and select RefWorks from the drop-down.

4. Click Save Preferences.

To initate a direct export to RefWorks:

1. Conduct your search in Google Scholar

2. Each record displayed will have an Import into RefWorks link.  Clicking on the link will launch the RefWorks login page.

3. Once you log in, you are brought automatically to the Edit view of the reference.  If you do not wish to edit the record, you can navigate to any other area of RefWorks.

4. Your record is stored in your Last Imported Folder.  

 15. Where can I get help with using RefWorks?

• Cal State Fullerton Support:
            RefWorkshelp@fullerton.edu
   
• RefWorks Technical Support
            Support@refworks.com or info@refworks.com
   
• RefWorks Tutorial from the RefWorks website.
   
• RefWorks Quick Start Guide from the RefWorks website.
   

• Pollak Library Home Page

 

  16. I am having trouble using the online catalog search feature, what should I do?

You may receive and error message when using the "Quick Search" feature if you are using Firefox or Mozilla. Use the Advanced Search feature below or try your search using Internet Explorer.

  17. Can I use Write-N-Cite with Office 2007?

Use the Write-N-Cite feature and save your document. Then open up your Refworks account. Select the "Bibliography" and then "Format Paper for Bibliography." Next browse to the document that you want to format.