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BibTeX for LaTeX

This guide provides a brief overview of managing references in LaTeX using BibTeX. Follow the instructions to integrate BibTeX into your LaTeX documents, allowing you to cite sources and generate bibliographies.

Using EndNote with LaTeX

Exporting references in BibTeX format

  1. Open your EndNote library and select the references you want to export as a .bib file (skip this step if you are exporting the whole library)
  2. Click on the Export Arrow (EndNote export Arrow) or go to File menu and select Export 
  3. In the Export options window:
    • Select the directory where you want your file to be saved
    • File name: Choose a file name with no spaces and add the .bib extension. (e.g. References.bib)
    • Save as type: keep TextFile(*.txt)
    • Output style: BibTeX Export. If it is not visible, choose Select Another Style and find it there, or add BibTeX Export to your output styles (see instructions below).
    • Untick Export Selected References if exporting the whole library
  4. Click Save to create the file

Screenshot illustrating steps 1 -4 on how to export .bib file from EndNote

Adding the BibTeX option to your output styles

  1. In EndNote, click on the Tools option located in the navigation bar
  2. Select Output Styles and find Open Style Manager
  3. From the list of styles tick BibTeX Export and exit the EndNote Styles Manager
  4. The BibTeX Export will now appear among export options

Screenshot illustrating steps 1 -4 on how to add BibTeX output style to Endnote

BibTeX (Imperial College) input filter – an improved filter to import BibTeX files (allows for more variation in data structure than official BibTeX filter). Use the EndNote BibTeX link below to download the zip file file and look for the filter file: BibTex (Imperial College).enf. Save files in C:\Program Files\EndNote\Filters.

BibTeX Export (Imperial College) output style – an improved output style to export EndNote records in a BibTeX format (additionally exports contents of Notes field to BibTeX note= field). Use the EndNote BibTeX link below to download the zip file file and look for the style file: BibTeXExport (Imperial College).ens. Save files in C:\Program Files\EndNote\Styles.

Adding BibTeX (.bib) file to Overleaf


Save the generated file in the same folder as your LaTeX document.

If you are using Overleaf, click on the Upload button, then select the .bib file to add. You can rename it at any point, but ensure that the file is saved with extension .bib.

Example: BibTeX file generated with EndNote

The unique keys generated by EndNote are not user-friendly when compared to those generated by Zotero or RefWorks. You may want to update each key with memorable information to make those searchable e.g. author / date / title. 

An example of a .bib file generated using EndNote.

  1. In EndNote, click on the Edit option located in the navigation bar
  2. Select the Import option and select File
  3. When the Import File pop-up window appears select the following:
    • click on the Choose... button and locate your .bib file 
    • select BibTeX as Import Option 
    • click the Import button to proceed
  4. Once uploaded, records will display under Imported References folder

Screenshot illustrating steps 1 - 3 on how to import .bib file to EndNote