Create Bibliographies

RefWorks is a web-based citation manager that includes a word processing plug-in for Microsoft Word and Google Docs.  RefWorks is popular with researchers that use academic databases to find information and want a bibliographic manager that they can access from any computer.

Notable features of RefWorks include:

• Saving large numbers of references from multiple databases
• Extensive organizational capabilities, including tagging and sub-folders
• Creating bibliographies in hundreds of citation styles
• Inserting in-text citations and bibliographies into documents
• Sharing your references by creating stable URLs for your entire RefWorks database or for specific folders
• Attaching files from your hard drive to references in your database--these can be shared with others

The information provided below is useful for researchers who want to become familiar with RefWorks' basic functions.  For a more complete guide to RefWorks features, I recommend ProQuest's RefWorks guide.

Create Your Account

You will be asked for an institutional email.  To use RefWorks, you must create an account using your BU email address and a unique password (different from your Kerberos password).  Create your account here: https://refworks.proquest.com/signup/email/

Once your account is created, you can start sending references to your RefWorks database.  There are several ways to do this:

• Export: Use the "Export to RefWorks" or "Send" functions in a variety of database platforms like EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar.  Look for words like Export, Send, or Save in a database's interface; RefWorks export options are usually located there.  If you need help finding it, contact a librarian for assistance.
• Import: Some databases like PubMed and Web of Science can export references in a .txt or .ris file.  You can save that file on your hard drive, then import using the "+" button on your RefWorks toolbar.
• Use the bookmarklet: Install the "Save to RefWorks" bookmarklet in your browser.  You can capture bibliographic information from an article on your screen, a video, or even a list of search results. Users report varied success with this feature.
• Create a reference manually: You can enter the information yourself.  Choose this option if you're working with an information source that you found offline (e.g. a print book, a film, a speech, etc.).  This option is found under the "+" button.
• Transfer your references: If you have been using another bibliographic manager, you can transfer your preexisting references into your new RefWorks database.

To create bibliographies with RefWorks, open the folder with the citations you want to use, then click the " button in your RefWorks toolbar.

RefWorks will create a bibliography in your chosen citation style that you can copy and paste into a document.

Note: Look over your bibliography before submitting it to an instructor or publisher.  If you imported references that were poorly indexed--and this can happen even with references from well-respected academic databases--there is a chance that you will have incorrect formatting on some of your bibliography items.

If you want to cite sources within the text of your document, you can do it in one of two ways:

• Use RefWorks' plug-in for Microsoft Word or Google Docs (RECOMMENDED).  This plug-in will allow you to sync your RefWorks database with your document, add in-text citations, and automatically generate a bibliography of the sources you've cited in the text of your document.  If you are using a BU-issued version of Microsoft Word, you will find the Add-In here: Insert > Get Add-ins > Admin Managed.
• Use the Quick Cite option under the " button in your toolbar.  This will allow you to create in-text citations from any of the references in the folder you're viewing.  These can then be copied and pasted to your document.

When using RefWorks' citation tool while citing in Chicago Style (Notes & Bibliography) or another style that requires footnote citations, it's necessary to insert a footnote in your document, then insert your citation in the footnote rather than the text of the document. See the examples below to find out how the citation differs depending on its location.

Fig. 1 (below): Chicago style citation inserted at the end of a sentence.

Fig. 2 (below): Chicago style citation inserted in a footnote.

You can share your RefWorks folders with other RefWorks users, allowing them to see and/or edit the references in them.  You can create a public URL for your folder, allowing non-RefWorks users to see the contents.

To do this, click the small box next to the name of the folder you want to share (see image below), and choose the Share Folder option.  You will be able to choose to create a public URL for the folder or to invite specific people with varying degrees of access to the folder (read-only, read and annotate, or read/annotate/edit).  If you invite others to edit or annotate references, they will need to create RefWorks accounts if they are not current RefWorks users.

To export your references so that you can use them in another citation manager:

1. Open the RefWorks folder that contains the references you'd like to export.
2. Click Share in the top toolbar.
3. Under Format, choose RIS or BibTeX.
4. Under ID Output, choose the RefWorks default option or the option that works best for you.
5. Click Export.

This will save your references and notes in your downloads folder. It will not save any files you've attached to your references.

To export your attached files, choose one of these options.

1. Download each file individually, or...
2. Use Dropbox to export your files all at once. To do this, follow these steps: 
   1. Create an account at https://www.dropbox.com/
   2. In a new tab, log in to RefWorks.
   3. Click your name in the upper right corner of the RefWorks interface. Choose Settings.
   4. Scroll to the Dropbox section and click the log in button. This will link your RefWorks and Dropbox accounts and create a folder in your Dropbox account containing all of your RefWorks attachments. You can then download them from Dropbox to save elsewhere or import into another citation manager.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to export your citations and attachments without separating them. If you choose to import your attachments in another citation manager, you will have to recreate your RefWorks attachment/citation structure manually. You may also try dragging your attached files into a new citation manager, as most citation managers will create an automated reference for documents added this way.

Q. I've tried installing the RefWorks Citation Manager plug-in and it won't work. What do I do?

A. Make sure that all instances of Microsoft Word are closed.  On a Mac, this means force-quitting the Word app (right-click on the Word icon, then choose Quit).  Try the installation again.  If it does not work, please contact Boston University's Information Services & Technology Department for technical assistance.  They can be reached at ithelp@bu.edu or at 617-353-4357.  You can also visit them in person on the first floor of Mugar Memorial LIbrary.

Q. I'm trying to import a citation of a speech (or some other reference type that RefWorks doesn't recognize).  How do I do this?

A. If the source exists in a different format (e.g. a transcript of a speech), you can choose that reference type instead.  You can also choose the Generic reference type and add as much bibliographic information as you can for that reference; you may need to edit the reference after citing it in your document with the RefWorks plug-in.  Please contact a librarian if you need help doing this.