Adding Endnote Accession numbers to BibTeX export file

MBK
I tried to convert my Endnote library to Zotero using the RIS output style. That worked for some records, but for others I got the error message: "An error occurred while trying to import the selected file. Please ensure that the file is valid and try again." Others have described the same problem in this forum.
I then tried the BibTeX output style, and that worked, but BibTeX does not include Endnote Accession numbers. RIS files do import the accession numbers into Zotero, when they work. I need those accession numbers. Does anyone know a workaround? Thanks!
I use Endnote 9.0.0 Bld 1425 and Zotero 2.0.3 under XP Professional

Greetings,

MBK
  • noksagt
    Can you isolate the RIS record or records that cause import to fail?

    BibTeX does not have a standard field for accession number. Is endnote exporting it? If so, to what field? Can you modify the BibTeX export in EndNote to use the comment/note/annote/whatever field?
  • MBK
    Thanks, noksagt, you put me on the right track!
    Turns out Zotero refused to import my RIS output because one record had a blank line after the last author. The text file looked like this:
    AU - Jones
    AU - Brown
    AU -
    When I removed that line the file imported OK.

    Accession numbers is a different story. RIS exported them as Notes while I wanted something that I can sort in the Zotero middle panel.
    Solution: I modified the BibTeX output style to export my Accession numbers into the Call number field, like this:
    [Endnote] Edit > Output Styles > Open Style Manager > BibTeX Export > Edit > Bibliography > Templates
    Now paste the following into the Journal Article template, including spaces and ' ':
    `lccn = {`Accession Number`},`
    Same for Book template etc.
    I did not type Accession Number but inserted it with the Insert Field button. Don't know if it matters.
    lccn is Zotero code for Call number, the library number on the spine of a book. My Endnote accession numbers now appear as call numbers in Zotero, which is OK with me.
    Unfortunately BibTeX does not export Notes from Endnote, so I lost those. Any suggestions?
    MBK
  • MBK
    PS:
    lccn is l as in love, not I as in ice
  • noksagt
    edited August 5, 2010
    When I removed that line the file imported OK.
    Can't you merely remove perform a search-and-replace on your RIS file, removing the offending empty line? I suppose that Endnote's RIS output style should be modified (if possible) to remove this defect. Likewise, Zotero's RIS translator could possibly be improved to import empty tags. It should probably just ignore them? Alternatively, one could make the case that it is the only way to import a null authorname via that format & so we should just assume that the RIS was generated that way intentionally. But I don't know why you'd ever want to do that?
    Unfortunately BibTeX does not export Notes from Endnote, so I lost those. Any suggestions?
    I'm not sure if I understand what you are saying. Are you now asking how to modify EndNote's BibTeX output style? It had sounded like you knew how to do that for call numbers. If you can't figure out how to do it for notes, you should use the support they provide. If I am mis-understanding & you have a valid BibTeX file with notes & cannot import it into Zotero, then please provide a one record sample of the file with a more complete description of the trouble you are having.

    Still, RIS is the officially-recommended format to get EndNote data into Zotero.
  • MBK
    |"perform search-and-replace on your RIS file"|
    Yes, that is what I did. But it would ease the path from Endnote to Zotero if Zotero's RIS translator would ignore empty Author fields. Few people will have empty AU fields on purpose.

    |"Are you now asking how to modify EndNote's BibTeX output style? It had sounded like you knew how to do that for call numbers. If you can't figure out how to do it for notes, you should use the support they provide."|
    Yes, I hoped someone knew a trick to get BibTeX to export Notes. I do not expect much from Endnote support.
    Thanks for your help, noksag! Zotero is just what I needed.
    MBK
Sign In or Register to comment.