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Downloading from PubMed MEDLINE into RefWorks

There are two major steps to transferring records from the PubMed database into your RefWorks database. The first one is to perform your search and download the articles of interest into a specially formatted text file. The second step is to import the records contained in that text file into your RefWorks database, using the NLM PubMed filter.

STEP 1: Downloading from PubMed

  • Perform your search in PubMed
  • Click on the Send to link to open up the Choose Destination Menu and select File.
  • Change display to MEDLINE format


  • After you select File, more options will appear.
  • From the Format drop-down menu, change the format from Summary (text) to MEDLINE. Click on Create File.
  • Change display to MEDLINE format


  • You will now be prompted to save the file to your computer.
  • Be sure to save it as a text file (file extension .txt), and try to put it somewhere where you'll be able to find it, like on your desktop. .

 

STEP 2: Importing into RefWorks

  • Go to your RefWorks database.
  • Click on the References menu and select Import. The import screen will appear.

Select Import function within RefWorks


  • From the Import Filter/Data Source list, select NLM PubMed (National Library of Medicine).
  • Browse to find the text file you saved to your computer. Click on Import.

RefWorks Import Screen


  • Your references should appear in the Last Imported Folder.

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