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RefWorks: RefWorks Integration

Guide to using the new and improved RefWorks for saving citations and articles for your research.

About integrations

You can create citations in RefWorks to copy to your document, or more conveniently, you can add them while working in your document using a RefWorks add-on. In addition, the add-ons enable you to manage the citations in the: delete, add, restyle, and so forth.

Integration with Word Online

  • Provides read-only access to your RefWorks account, enabling you to view and insert your references into your document, formatted using previously defined citation styles. Changes to references can be done only from your RefWorks account.
  • You can add inline and footnote citations. You can configure RCM to add new citations to a bibliography at the end of the document. As you add or remove references, RCM automatically updates the bibliography.
  • Every time you log in to RCM, it is automatically updated to show your your RefWorks references. You can also update manually by clicking the refresh icon or selecting the Update Document and References option in the Main Menu.
  • RefWorks users who wish to collaborate on writing a document in Word Online using RCM can share Projects to fully collaborate. when the document is edited by multiple users, all must be owners of same RefWorks Project and must have access to RCM in Word Online.

To add RefWorks Citation Manager (RCM) to your Microsoft Word Online or Desktop account:

  • Microsoft Word Online/Desktop: Home-> Add Ins (may need to click the horizontal 3 dots to see the option)-> search for RefWorks

    • Connect to your account by using your login information

    • Will need to add to both Word Online and Word Desktop if you would like to use RefWorks RCM in both places

    • The tool should always be visible after you’ve added it

Integration with Word (Desktop)

Installing RefWorks Citation Manager

  1. In Microsoft Word, select Insert > Get add-ins and search for RefWorks.

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  2. RefWorks Citation Manager is listed. Select Add to install.
  3. In Word, select the RCM tab and click the RCM button. The RCM pane opens on the right side of the document.
  4. Log in to RefWorks, this may take a few moments, especially on your first login. Once you are logged in, the sidebar updates with your references with an icon to the Main Menu on the top left and a refresh icon on the bottom right.

Note for Users of Write-N-Cite with RefWorks:

- As of April 2025, you will no longer have access to the Write-N-Cite program. You will need to install the RefWorks RCM program, detailed above, before April 2025 to continue with the program integrations

Integration with GoogleDocs

  • Provides read-only access to your RefWorks account, enabling you to view and insert your previously collated references into your document, formatted using previously defined citation styles.

  • You can add in-text and footnote citations. Adding a citation also adds a bibliography to the end of the document. As you add or remove references, the add-on automatically updates the bibliography.

  • When you share your document with another user who is using RCM for Google Docs, they can edit and delete any RefWorks references in the document and can add their own references to the document.

  • Every time you log into RCM for Google Docs, it automatically reflects your most up to date RefWorks account references and citation styles.

To add RefWorks Citation Manager (RCM) to your GoogleDocs account:

  • GoogleDocs: Extensions->Add Ons-> search for RCM-> add extension

    • You will need to give permission for your account to connect to RCM

      • After installed, click back on Extensions and you will see Refworks Citation Manager listed

        • Click on “manage citations” to allow access to your account and connect to your RefWorks account