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RefWorks: Adding citations and articles

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

Adding citations and documents to RefWorks

RefWorks offers several ways to import citations and documents. Some ways work better than others depending on where you find the information. Options for adding items to RefWorks include:

  • Save to RefWorks plugin for web browsers
  • Drag and drop articles (and citations) into RefWorks
  • Export citations from databases and catalogs
  • Type in citations manually
  • Import from another citation manager

Save to RefWorks browser add-on

Coe research help desk drop down menu. Tools is highlighted and has an arrow that reads "install save to Refworks."

The "Save to RefWorks" plugin finds citations on webpages and pulls them into RefWorks. However, it does not work on all web pages or in all browsers. 

To add "Save to Ref Works" to your browser, drop down the menu under your name in RefWorks. Select "Tools," then "Install Save to RefWorks" and drag the button to your browser favorites/bookmarks. Adjust browser settings if your bookmarks are hidden.

Bookmark tab that reads "save to Refworks."

To use "Save to RefWorks," simply click on "Save to RefWorks" bookmark in your browser as you're viewing a web page. RefWorks will scan the page and then ask you to confirm which citations to save. If RefWorks can't find a citation, it will ask if you want to save the page and URL, which is great for keeping and adding notes to copies of webpages. If RefWorks sees a PDF, it will ask if you want to attach the PDF to the citation. If the PDF import fails, see the section on attaching a PDF to a citation.

Drag and drop PDFs

If you already have PDF articles saved to your computer, just drag and drop them into RefWorks. RefWorks will attempt to match the title to a database of citation information. If RefWorks is unsuccessful in finding a citation, you can enter the title, author(s), and publication information manually. As you're typing, RefWorks will continue to try to find the citation.​

Exporting citations from databases and Google Scholar

Most library databases and catalogs offer easy citation exports to RefWorks. Watch for a link in the database next to the item description that says RefWorks or Export. Click on that link and select Export to RefWorks.

Do you use Google Scholar? Check Scholar settings to make sure the University of Wyoming is one of your Library links and RefWorks is set as your Bibliography Manager under Search results.Doing so will allow you to export citations to RefWorks.

Add citations manually

If you have a print article or book in hand and want to add a citation to RefWorks, start adding it manually. Click the + sign at the top of the page in RefWorks and select "Create new reference." Click the drop-down box to select what you want to cite: journal article, book section (chapter), book, newspaper, web page, etc. RefWorks will suggest citation matches that you can ignore or accept. Make sure you save the citation.