I have a list of references in a document that was not created using Reference Manager. Can I import these into Reference Manager?

The Import Text File command allows you to import references from a plain text file using specific import filters. The import filter is a file used by Reference Manager when importing text files. It tells Reference Manager how to format and organize the text as it is imported. The import filter list shows the import filter definitions available in Reference Manager. As you import a text file, you choose which import filter to use.

Before importing references, make sure the files are in a format that the import filter can read. In order for the import filter to read a text file, it must be in a delimited format. A delimiter is a character, like a hard return, that is inserted between fields. Each part of each reference needs to be preceded by a delimiter. A tagged format has a label at the beginning of each field. For example, in MEDLARS format each author is on a separate line that begins with " AU - " (without the quotation marks). The first line of each title begins with " TI - ". Each data service uses a unique tagged format for its files. The Import module contains a specific translator for each service. The translator ensures that the text files can then be read by the Import program.

If you need to import a text file that does not come from one of the supported data services you either need to design a new import filter using the Import Filter Editor or you must make sure the references are in a format supported by the Import module such as RIS format.

The RIS format is a tagged format, similar to MEDLARS. It was developed by Research Information Systems for importing files that contain any or all of the reference types allowed in a Reference Manager database. You can use your word processor and edit the file to convert it into RIS format, or write a macro to help you do this. Many word processors have macro capabilities that allow you to easily make global changes to a file. Once the references in the text file are in RIS format, you can import the file into Reference Manager. See the manual for specifications of the RIS Format or go to http://www.refman.com/support/risformat_intro.asp.


When I try to use a website’s direct export feature to export data into my Reference Manager database I get a “File Not Found” error. It used to work fine, but now I get the error every time. How do I fix it?

If you get a "File Not Found" error when you try to direct export, you probably need to delete the temporary internet files because your cache is full...


1. Open Internet Explorer and go to Tools -> Internet Options.
2. Under Temporary Internet Files click on the Delete Files button. When it finishes deleting the files click OK.
3. Try the export again and you should have better results.

If you have a lot of Temporary Internet Files, deleting them may take quite a while. But once this is done you should no longer experience this error when you try to direct export. This can also happen with Netscape/Mozilla. To clear temporary internet files in Netscape/Mozilla, click on Edit>Preferences>Advanced>Cache. There will be options for clearing the disk cache and the memory cache.


Why did I receive a message stating "Error adding reference. Unable to continue" while trying to import/capture a text file?

This message indicates that the database to which you are trying to import is corrupted. You may need to rebuild your database before you can import to it.