Getting started with Mendeley
Download and install Mendeley Desktop
Select your operating system on the left and download Mendeley Desktop.
Windows Updating Issue
- On Windows, checking for updates will report "You are using the latest version of Mendeley Desktop"; this is incorrect on every version prior to 0.5.8. Please download the latest version and install it to fix this issue.
Requires Windows XP or Vista. Size 12.9MB
Mendeley Word-plugin alpha 0.1
Requires Microsoft Word 2003/07. Size 14.4MB
Requires Mac OSX 10.4 or later. Size 25.2MB
Setting up your library database
1a) Import your research papers
Click "Add Documents" to start building your library database:
- Automatic Document Recognition will try to extract the correct metadata automatically.
- Library File Import can read your existing EndNote XML, RIS, or BibTex files.
- Manual Entry lets you enter metadata manually.
1b) Review the extracted metadata
If you've chosen Automatic Document Recognition, there may be errors (but the more people that use Mendeley, the better the recognition becomes). Click on a library entry to view the metadata fields.
2) That's it - you have a digital library!
You can now use Mendeley Desktop to manage your papers as easily as MP3s:
- Full-text search and filter by author, journal, tag and keywords
- Add tags and notes to documents
- Create document groups to organize your papers
- Apply different citation styles
- Export your library to EndNote XML, RIS, or BibTex, or copy library entries formatted in the chosen citation style
Using the networking and collaboration features
Create your account on Mendeley Web
You'll need a free account on Mendeley Web to back up your library online and to use the networking & collaboration features of Mendeley Desktop - signing up only takes a minute!
1) Connect to your colleagues on Mendeley Web
Find your colleagues using the Members tab and add them as as contacts. This enables you to:
- Follow their profile updates (new publications, conference travels, new awards etc.)
- Share research papers with them using Mendeley Desktop.
2) Share your research papers
In Mendeley Desktop, go to the Document Groups frame on the left and create a new Shared Group. Click the "Members" button to invite your Mendeley Web contacts into the Shared Group.
All documents in this group will now be accessible to all members of the Shared Group. You can tag and annotate the documents collaboratively!
3) Backup your library online
In Mendeley Desktop, login first (on the bottom right). Then simply drag & drop documents to the document group "Mendeley Web Account > My Online Library".
These documents will then be accessible to you (and no one else) on Mendeley Web under "My Mendeley > My Online Library".
4) Complete your profile on Mendeley Web
Complete your public research profile to let other people know about your research interests, awards, publications, biography, or conference travels.
The easiest way of adding your publications to your profile is this: In Mendeley Desktop, login first, then simply drag & drop your publications to the document group "Mendeley Web account > Publications I've authored".
