Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Moffitt Library is opening Aug. 22. Other libraries will have updated services and hours. Learn more.

RefWorks: Getting Started

Using RefWorks, adding references from databases, using RefWorks with MS Word or Google Docs

Welcome to RefWorks!


More comprehensive and up to date information is on ProQuest's RefWorks guide.

Creating a New Account

A UC Berkeley institutional account is available to anyone at UC Berkeley and includes unlimited document storage, easy UCB-wide sharing and sharing outside UCB, phone and email tech support, training, and more.
To create a RefWorks account:

  1. Go to refworks.proquest.com and click the “Create Account” link.
    » Do NOT click Use login from my institution.
  2. Fill in your information making sure to use your @berkeley.edu email address.  Using your institutional email address verifies that you are entitled to the UCB institutional account.

Once you activate your account (you'll receive an email with a link to complete the registration process), you’ll get access immediately and can get started managing your documents.

Note: If you already have a "Legacy" RefWorks account, you may follow the instructions below to move your references to New RefWorks. The instructions above are for those new to RefWorks, or for those who do not wish to transfer their references from "Legacy" RefWorks to New RefWorks.

Moving Your References from "Legacy" RefWorks to New RefWorks

If you have an existing account in "Legacy" RefWorks, you can migrate all your references (citations) and folders to New RefWorks:

  1. Login to your Legacy RefWorks account
  2. Click Move to the newest version of RefWorks from ProQuest at the top of the screen
  3. Follow the prompts to complete the process. You may be asked if you want to migrate your Legacy RefWorks library into the new RefWorks. This process may take several minutes.

Moving Your Existing References from EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero, or Papers

To get your existing references into the New RefWorks, look up your current reference manager below and follow the steps described.

 
​EndNote
  1. You can easily import your EndNote into your RefWorks account:In EndNote, go to Edit > Output Styles > Open Style Manager
  2. Check “RefMan (RIS) Export”.
  3. In your EndNote library, select the references you would like to export.
  4. Go to File > Export and save the file, making sure the output styles field is set to “RefMan (RIS) Export”.
  5. In RefWorks, click the Add a reference icon , then select Import References
  6. Drag and drop the saved file into RefWorks into the box, or use the link to “select a file from your computer” and upload it. 
 
Mendeley
  1. From Mendeley Desktop, select record(s) and right click. Select Export, Research Information Systems (*ris)
  2. A dialog box appears for you to select the location where you want to save the file. Type a file name and select a location to save the file.
  3. In RefWorks, click the Add a reference icon , then select Import References
  4. Drag and drop the saved file into RefWorks into the box, or use the link to “select a file from your computer” and upload it. 
 
Zotero
  1. Select references. 
  2. Right-click and choose Export Selected Items. Choose RIS. Save the file.
  3. In RefWorks, click the Add a reference icon , then select Import References
  4. Drag and drop the saved file into RefWorks into the box, or use the link to “select a file from your computer” and upload it. 
 
Papers
  1. In your Papers library, highlight the references you want to export.
  2. Under the File menu, choose 'Export...' and choose the Refman RIS option. Save the file.
  3. In RefWorks, click the Add a reference icon , then select Import References
  4. Drag and drop the saved file into RefWorks into the box, or use the link to “select a file from your computer” and upload it.