How to Migrate Your Library from Mendeley Desktop to Another Reference Manager

Learn step-by-step how to export your Mendeley Desktop library and import it into a new reference manager quickly and accurately.

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To migrate from Mendeley Desktop to another reference manager, first export your Mendeley library. Go to 'File' > 'Export', and choose RIS (compatible with most reference managers) or BibTeX format. After exporting, open your new reference manager and find the import option. Select the file you exported from Mendeley. This should import your references. It’s a good idea to review the import for any discrepancies or missing information, as each manager may handle data fields differently.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the best file format to export my Mendeley references? The RIS format is widely compatible with most reference managers, but BibTeX is also commonly used, especially for LaTeX users.
  2. Can I transfer annotations and PDFs from Mendeley to another manager? Annotations and attached PDFs may not always transfer seamlessly. It’s best to manually verify or export them separately.
  3. Why are some references missing after import to a new manager? Differences in how reference managers handle metadata fields can cause some discrepancies; reviewing and correcting imports is recommended.

Watch More

For more helpful tips on managing your research references and using different citation tools, check out our guides on optimizing Zotero imports and troubleshooting BibTeX files.

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