how to remove endnote from word

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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31-01-2025

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EndNote is a powerful citation management tool, but sometimes you need to remove its influence from your Word document. Whether you're switching citation styles, preparing a manuscript for a journal that doesn't accept EndNote citations, or simply want a clean Word file, this guide will show you how to effectively remove EndNote from your Word document. We'll cover several methods, from simply deleting the citations to completely removing the EndNote add-in.

Understanding EndNote's Integration with Word

Before diving into removal methods, it's important to understand how EndNote interacts with Word. EndNote citations and bibliographies aren't simply text inserted into your document. They're dynamically linked to your EndNote library. This means deleting the visible citations won't necessarily remove all traces of EndNote. We'll explore methods to handle both the visible citations and the underlying EndNote connection.

Method 1: Deleting EndNote Citations and Bibliography

This is the simplest method if you just want to remove the visible citations and bibliography. It's suitable if you don't intend to use EndNote again for this document.

Steps:

1. Select the Citations: Click on each EndNote citation individually and press the "Delete" key. Alternatively, highlight a block of citations and delete them all at once.

2. Delete the Bibliography: Find the EndNote bibliography at the end of your document. Select it and press "Delete."

3. Check for Remaining References: Carefully review your document to ensure all visible citations and the bibliography are completely removed.

Important Note: This method only removes the visible elements. The underlying EndNote connection might remain, potentially causing issues if you later try to re-integrate EndNote.

Method 2: Converting Citations to Static Text

This method transforms EndNote citations into plain text, effectively disconnecting them from your EndNote library. This is a good option if you want to keep the citations but remove the dynamic link to EndNote.

Steps:

1. Select the Citations: Select all EndNote citations in your document (use Ctrl+A for "Select All" if you have many).

2. Copy and Paste as Unformatted Text: Copy the selected citations (Ctrl+C). Then, paste them into a new Word document using the "Paste Special" option (right-click, "Paste Special"). Choose "Unformatted Text" to strip away any formatting or EndNote connections.

3. Replace Original Citations: Copy the unformatted text from the new document and paste it into your original document, replacing the original EndNote citations.

4. Update the Bibliography: Manually recreate the bibliography using the same citation style.

This method ensures the citations become simple text. This prevents future EndNote interference. However, it requires manual re-creation of your bibliography.

Method 3: Removing the EndNote Add-in (Advanced)

If you're completely finished using EndNote with Word, removing the add-in is the most thorough solution. This removes the EndNote connection entirely. However, you'll lose any ability to easily manage citations with EndNote in this specific Word file.

Steps:

1. Open Word Options: In Word, go to "File" > "Options."

2. Add-ins: Select "Add-ins" from the left-hand menu.

3. Manage: At the bottom, select "COM Add-ins" from the "Manage" dropdown and click "Go."

4. Uncheck EndNote: In the dialog box, uncheck the box next to "EndNote X" (X representing your EndNote version). Click "OK."

5. Restart Word: Restart Word for the changes to take effect.

After restarting, EndNote functionality should be completely removed from Word. This step entirely removes the integration, leaving behind only plain text citations.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your needs:

• Method 1 (Deleting): Quick and easy for temporary removal.
• Method 2 (Converting to Text): Preserves citations while removing EndNote's influence.
• Method 3 (Removing Add-in): Complete removal of EndNote integration from Word.

Remember to save your document frequently throughout the process. By following these steps, you can successfully remove EndNote from your Word document and regain control over your text.