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Mendeley Reference Manager: Step-by-Step User Guide

For Students and Faculty

Dashboard Overview

  • Library – Your full list of saved references
  • Collections – Create folders to organize references by topic or project

  • Groups Share references and collaborate

 

  • Notebook – Take general notes (not linked to a specific paper)

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  • Sync – Updates your cloud library across all devices

Mendeley Reference Manager vs. Mendeley Web

Although Mendeley Reference Manager and Mendeley Web look similar, there are some feature differences that dictate how you will use each one:

  • Mendeley Reference Manager (Desktop): Best for storing, editing, and viewing PDFs on your computer. It can also automatically extract citation data from PDFs.
  • Mendeley Web: Allows you to access your saved research library and collect citations while browsing online. It’s ideal for use on-the-go.

Syncing Your Accounts

  • Syncing your Mendeley Web account with the Mendeley Reference Manager desktop app allows you to access your citation library across multiple devices.
  • If you install Mendeley on more than one computer, syncing through your Mendeley account will keep your data up-to-date on all systems.
  • To sync manually, click the 'Sync' button located in the upper right-hand corner of the Mendeley Reference Manager interface, next to your account name.
  • Make sure you are connected to the internet when syncing.