Pollak Library
Library Research Guides

 

What is RefWorks? 

RefWorks is a web-based Bibliographic Management Software that enables you to collect and manage references to books, articles, etc., format them according to styles (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago); and create bibliographies for use in a research paper or publication. The Pollak Library has paid for a campus-wide subscription to RefWorks. All CSUF students/faculty/staff can access RefWorks on-campus, or off-campus through the campus portal.

Set up a free account to begin!

Quick Links/Help

RefWorks FAQ  

1.      What is RefWorks?

2.      RefWorks compatilbility?

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.     Importing and Exporting citations/search results

a. Instructions for exporting from commonly used databases/catalogs into RefWorks

b. Importing search results into RefWorks?

c. Exporting citations from a database to RefWorks, nothing happens. What do I do?

d. Exporting RefWorks citation to EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager.

e. Importing EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager citations to RefWorks.

f. Importing records from Google Scholar?

9. Write-N-Cite

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

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

c. Using one-line/cite view instead of Write-N-Cite?

10. What is the Pollak Library Group Code for RefWorks?

11. Where can I get help with using RefWorks?

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

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/bibliographic management software, such as EndNote, Zotero, Reference Manager, and ProCite, but is web-based and allows you to create a person, transportable, citation library that is accessible from any computer with access to the Internet.

 

2. RefWorks compatibility

Browsers:

  • Internet Explorer Version 5.0 or later (Windows only)
  • Firefox 1.X or later (Windows and Mac)
  • Netscape Version 5.0 or later (Windows and Mac)

Word Processors:

  • Windows 2000 or later
  • Word for Mac 98 or later
  • Any word processor which allows you to save your files as RTF (Rich Text Files.)

Write-N-Cite:

  • Only compatible with MS Word.
  • All other word processing software users should use One Line/Citeview for their documents.

 

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.

  1. Under New to RefWorks?, click on the "Sign up for an Individual Account".
  2. Complete the registration form.
  3. Once you have registered, a confirmation will be sent to your e-mail address. (Also, you'll 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. Importing and Exporting Citations/Search Results

9. 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.

a) 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:

  1. Activate Write-N-Cite.
  2. Select Preferences from the Write-N-Cite menu.
  3. Select the Proxy option and enter this URL:
     http://lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/login?url=https://www.refworks.com/Refworks/?WNC=true
  4. Re-start Write-N-Cite for this proxy configuration to take effect.

b) Can I use Write-N-Cite with Office 2007?

Yes. 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.

c) Using one-line/cite view instead of Write-N-Cite

1. When you login to your RefWorks account, choose to view your citations as "One line/Cite View" in the "Switch to:" drop down menu. Your list of references display will change and you'll have new links to the left of each reference: Cite and View.

2. When you want to add an in-text citation to your word document, simply click on the "Cite" link to the left of the reference/citation you want to insert and a "Citation Viewer" window will open. Click on the "Select citation" button and then drag the highlighted information from the Citation Viewer to the point in your word document where the in-text citation should appear. (In the next step these odd looking in-text citations will be converted to the proper in-text citation format for the citation style you choose (e.g. APA, MLA.))

3. When you are finished inserting your in-text citations, save your document (MS Word .doc and .docx will work, but if you are using a word processor other than MS Word, save your document as an .rtf file.)

4. Go to your RefWorks account and click on Bibliography.

5. On the Bibliography page, select your Output Style, and click on the button next to "Format Paper and Bibliography". Then browse for and insert the document you created with the in-text citations.

6. Click on "Create Bibliography" and RefWorks will create a new document formatted in the selected style followed by a bibliography including all of the citations you inserted. RefWorks also formats the in-text citations according to the style you selected.

7. Follow your browser's instructions for viewing the file and be sure to save the document to your hard disk before closing. Your original document remains the same as it was before you formatted it.

10. What is the Pollak Library Group Code for RefWorks?

Cal State Fullerton is not using Group Codes to control access to RefWorks. If you are having trouble with Write-N-Cite, please see the section on Write-N-Cite above. If you are trying to access RefWork from off campus, please make sure to log into the Portal first and use the link to RefWorks on the Pollak Library home page.

11. RefWorks Help

12. 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.

 

Last updated 10/15/2008

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California State University Fullerton