Mendeley Reference & Citation Management

To add a PDF to Mendeley you can:

• Drag and drop a PDF directly into your Mendeley Desktop display
• Drag and drop a file of PDFs directly into your Mendeley Desktop display
• Create a watched folder
• Add a PDF to an existing citation
  • Double click (open) the record you wish to add the PDF to
  • Under Files, in the record, select Add File
  • Browse, select the file, and double click to add

Watch the Mendeley Minute on this page for details on dragging and dropping PDFs into Mendeley.

Quick Tip: See the Organizing & Annotating page on this guide to better understand how to read and review PDFs in Mendeley.

After downloading the Web Importer you can add resources from databases and webpages to Mendeley.

Keep in mind that if a resource requires a subscription for access, Mendeley will only import the citation and not the full text.

Watch the Mendeley Minute on this page for details on dragging and dropping PDFs into Mendeley.

To import RIS Files into Mendeley:

• Export the citations from the database you are in as an RIS file
• Go into Mendeley and click on Add Files

• Select your saved RIS file and click Open

What is a watched folder?

You pick a folder on your desktop to save PDFs into

Mendeley automatically imports those PDFs into your library once they are saved

Note: It is not recommended to use this feature if you utilize multiple desktops due to syncing issues.

Watched Folders on a PC:

Go to your Mendeley Desktop and:

Click Tools → Options → Watched Folders

Check box(es) next to the Folder(s) that you wish to have watched

Watched Folders on a Mac:

Go to your Mendeley Desktop and:

Click Preferences → Watched Folders

Check box(es) next to the Folder(s) that you wish to have watched