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This page aims to explain some of the main differences in functionality when using EndNote desktop on Apple iMacs, MacBook Airs, or MacBook Pros, or any Apple hardware that uses the Mac OS operating system (not the iOS operating system that is used for Apple iPads and iPhones), compared with Windows operating systems.
Yes. EndNote is compatible for use on Apple Macs, for both Intel-based and Apple Silicon-based Macs.
Note that Macs manufactured from late 2020 onwards have Apple Silicon-based processors in them. Older Macs, pre-late 2020, were manufactured with Intel-based processors. The type of processor you have may affect how EndNote functions on your Mac.
Mac OS 14 (also known as Sonoma) is the latest version of the OS operating system. EndNote 21 is the latest version of the software. It is compatible with Mac OS Sonoma. EndNote 20 and earlier were not designed for Sonoma and so Clarivate suggest that users upgrade to EndNote 21.
Please take note of the Mac compatibility details for EndNote.
You can find out what type of Mac you have and what software version you are running by navigating to the Apple logo () at the top left-hand corner of your Mac and selecting About this Mac.
It is best that you run the latest possible version of the Mac OS operating system that is compatible for the type of Mac you have. Please therefore check if there are any software updates pending for your Mac by going to the Apple logo () at the top left-hand corner of your Mac and selecting System Settings, then selecting General in the left-hand panel, and finally selecting Software Update in the central panel. Install any updates as appropriate.
You may then wish to install a completely new version of EndNote on your Mac. Instructions for how to do this are available on the Accessing EndNote page of this guide.
It is generally good practice to delete any previous versions of EndNote before you install the upgraded version. This is because the newer application may not automatically delete the older application. If you have an old version of EndNote on your Mac, to delete it, do the following:
If you are a member of NHS staff at a UCL-affiliated trust, please check whether you have access to the latest version of EndNote desktop that you can download to your Mac before you delete the old version.
You can then download the latest version of EndNote to your Mac.
If you are new to EndNote, and have not created an EndNote library previously, you must create a library after successful installation of the software on your Mac. Unlike the Windows version, EndNote for Mac does not automatically prompt you to create a new library to open on first use. This is one of the key differences for new users of the software on Macs and Windows.
To create a new EndNote library on a Mac:
When you subsequently open the EndNote application, your new library will open automatically.
An EndNote library is made up of a library file (.enl) and a data folder (.data). Your library will not work unless both are saved together in the same place with the same name. These EndNote file components are always separate on Windows.
On Mac computers, there is the option to save the library file (.enl) and the data folder (.data) as a package so that they are always conjoined. It is a good idea to do this because there will be less risk of corruption or malfunction if you move your EndNote library to a different location in the future. Saving as package gives your EndNote library a different file extension: (.enlp) when you save it to your Mac.
Please take note of the Mac compatibility details for Word.
The installation of EndNote also includes the installation of the Cite While You Write add-in in Word. You will see this as an extra toolbar called EndNote 21 along the top of your Word application.
UCL students and staff can download a compatible version of the Word application through UCL, at no charge. This is the Office 365 for Enterprise package. Please see the UCL Information Services Division (ISD) website for more information.
When you install the EndNote package, please make sure that Word is closed and not running before installation because if it is not, the add-in will not install correctly in Word.
The Cite While You Write (CWYW) add-in is also available when using Word Online on a Mac (via an internet browser) if you are using Word via Office 365 available through UCL. Navigate to the References tab in Word Online and you will see the EndNote button. 
This is the Cite While You Write (CWYW) add-in. An EndNote Web account is required. When you click on it, you will need to sign-in with your EndNote Web username and password.
There are additional instructions for downloading the Cite While You Write add-in for different word processing tools:
Apple Macs manufactured from late 2020 onwards have Apple Silicon-based chips in them (Apple M1, M2 chips etc). Older Macs pre-late 2020 were manufactured with old-style Intel-based chips.
The first EndNote version, including the Cite While You Write (CWYW) add-in, that was compatible with Silicon-based Macs was EndNote 20.1.0. Any versions of EndNote and Cite While You Write for Mac before this update were not compatible with Silicon-based Macs. When you used the Cite While You Write add-in, there was an error message, specifying that the Word add-in could not be loaded.
If you are unable to upgrade to a version of EndNote that is 20.1.0 or later and you have a Silicon-based Mac, you will most likely encounter problems with the Word add-in on a Mac.
The workaround is to change the settings for Word on your Mac so that Word opens with Rosetta. Please refer to the Clarivate EndNote support article for how to do this.
Note that the following instructions work for Silicon-based Macs. These are Mac computers that have been manufactured from late-2020 onwards.
There are several reasons why the Cite While You Write (CWYW) add-in in Word may not be displaying. Here are a few points to check:
1. Check that the add-ins are set to display in Word:
If these two settings are not available to check in the Templates and add-ins menu, the Cite While You Write add-in has not installed properly. Please follow the next instructions.
2. Check the Customizer setting in EndNote
If the Customizer tool solves the problem, it is still worth continuing to check the Privacy settings on your Mac to make sure that they allow EndNote and Cite While You Write to work smoothly. Please continue below.
3. Check the Privacy and Security settings on your Mac
Yes. The Cite While You Write (CWYW) add-in is compatible with Apple Pages. It requires you to use Pages version 6.2 or later and EndNote X9.3 or later. Please check if your Mac is compatible and if so, you can download the Cite While You Write add-in from the Apple support page.
Apple has also provided instructions on how to use the Pages add-in once it has been installed.
Note that the following instructions are for Silicon-based Macs.
If you have upgraded your Mac OS system, for example, from Ventura to Sonoma, the permissions for applications to work within another application may reset to default after the upgrade. You will need to allow permissions again. Sometimes, you may be prompted for a permissions change for Word or EndNote. An example is below. You should Allow these changes.
If you do not receive a prompt, you will need to check the Privacy & Security settings yourself. Please do as follows:
