Migrate from EndNote
By Suzanne O’Regan · Updated Aug 3, 2026
You can easily import any EndNote library into Paperpile, complete with attached PDFs. The steps vary depending on your EndNote version.
To start, open the Add menu in your Paperpile library and click Import from other programs > EndNote.
After selecting the import destination, you will be prompted to choose the version of EndNote you are using. Each version has different instructions, displayed in the same dialog.
You’ll be prompted to find the EndNote .Data folder on your computer.
As shown in the dialog, this folder is usually located in your computer’s Documents folder. It should look like this:
You can either use the file picker from the dialog to find the folder, or drag and drop it onto the dialog. Then click Start import.
For older versions, you need to export an XML file from EndNote and upload it to Paperpile along with the .Data folder (usually located in your computer’s Documents folder).
- In your EndNote library, open the File menu and click Export.
- Under Output style choose "Select Another Style".
- In the new dialog, select EndNote Export.
- Make sure to uncheck the option "Export selected references" to export the entire library.
- In the Save as type drop-down menu, select "XML (*.xml)".
- Click Save to save the XML file to your desktop.
Back in Paperpile, upload the XML file to the import dialog. You’ll then be prompted to locate the .Data folder containing your PDFs.
For most libraries, EndNote creates a folder in the same directory as your EndNote library file. It has the same name as your library with the suffix .Data appended. Find it using the dialog’s file picker or drag and drop it from your computer’s file explorer.
Paperpile will import your EndNote library and attach existing PDFs to their correct references when possible. After the import is complete, check any references marked as incomplete or duplicates to keep your library organized.
- In the web version of EndNote, click Format > Export References in the top menu
- Select EndNote Export format.
- Find the downloaded file on your computer and rename it with the .enw extension.
- Upload the renamed file using the import dialog in Paperpile.
![The “Import from EndNote” dialog explaining where to find the EndNote .Data folder, showing the example path /Users/[your username]/Documents/EndNote Library.Data above a “Choose .Data folder…” drop zone.](https://cdn.paperpile.com/help/img/migrate-endnote-choose-data-folder-1430x970.png)
