What is Mendeley?
Mendeley is a free reference manager and academic collaboration platform developed by Elsevier. It helps researchers collect, organize, cite, and share research papers and bibliographic data.
You can build your library, generate citations in Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, or LaTeX, and network with millions of scholars through Mendeley Data and Mendeley Careers.
Core Functions
- Store and annotate PDFs.
- Generate citations and bibliographies automatically.
- Sync your library across desktop, web, and mobile.
- Collaborate in private or public groups.
- Discover trending papers and authors in your field.
Installing & Setting Up Mendeley
Desktop Application
- Download from https://www.mendeley.com/download-reference-manager
- Install and sign in with your Elsevier account.
- Enable the Mendeley Cite plugin for Word.
Web Library
- Access anywhere via https://www.mendeley.com
- Manage references online and sync to desktop.
Mobile App
- View & read PDFs on iOS and Android.
- Highlights and notes sync automatically.
Building Your Reference Library
| Source | Method |
|---|---|
| Research databases | Use browser extension Mendeley Web Importer → Add to Chrome/Edge |
| DOI/ISBN entry | “Add Entry Manually” → auto-fetch metadata |
| PDF folder import | Drag and drop files into the library → Mendeley extracts metadata |
| RIS/BibTeX files | Import bibliographic data from other managers |
| Collaborative groups | Join shared libraries for team projects |
Citing and Generating Bibliographies
- In Word → use Mendeley Cite add-in → Insert Citation → Choose style (APA, Vancouver, Harvard…).
- In LaTeX → export as BibTeX (.bib) file → \cite{} as usual.
- Auto-update references when you add or remove citations.
Integrations and Compatibility
- Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, Overleaf, LaTeX.
- Integrates with Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar.
- Plugins for Zotero and EndNote conversion.
Data Sync and Cloud Storage
- Free 2 GB cloud storage for PDFs and annotations.
- Upgrade plans available via Elsevier Cloud.
- All data encrypted using TLS and AES-256.
Collaboration & Networking
- Create private groups (≤ 25 members in free plan).
- Public groups for community sharing.
- Discover co-authors via Mendeley Profiles & Mendeley Careers.
Tips for Effective Use
- Organize with folders + tags (e.g. “Literature Review”, “Methodology”).
- Use highlight & note tools to summarize papers.
- Backup your library monthly (File > Export Library).
- Sync before and after major changes to avoid conflicts.
Mendeley vs Alternatives
| Feature | Mendeley | Zotero | EndNote | RefWorks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan |  2 GB | Unlimited |  Paid | Limited |
| Cloud Sync | | | | |
| Word Plugin | Mendeley Cite | | | |
| Collaboration | | | Limited | |
| Social Network | | | |
Official Resources & Tutorials
User Guide: https://service.elsevier.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/28472/
Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/mendeley
Community Forum: https://community.mendeley.com
Plugin Downloads: https://mendeley.com/reference-management/reference-manager
Extensive FAQ (40 Questions with Answers)
What is Mendeley used for? → For organizing references and automating citations.
Is Mendeley free? → Yes, basic plan is free.
Is it offline? → Desktop app works offline.
How to sync my library? → Click Sync in the top bar.
Can I share PDFs? → Yes, in private groups.
What file types can be imported? → PDF, RIS, BibTeX, EndNote XML.
How do I cite in Word? → Insert Citation via Mendeley Cite tab.
Does it work with Mac? → Yes, cross-platform.
Can I export to Zotero? → Yes, via RIS/BibTeX.
1
Is my data secure? → Stored in Elsevier cloud under GDPR.
1 Can I restore a deleted paper? → Yes, via Trash folder.
1 How many devices can I sync? → Unlimited if signed in.
1 Can I use multiple accounts? → Yes, but cannot merge libraries.
1 Does it support LaTeX? → Yes, export BibTeX.
1 What if metadata is wrong? → Right-click → “Details” → Edit.
1 Can I sort by author/year? → Yes, use column headers.
1 How to attach supplementary data? → Drag ZIP files into record.
1 Is there a mobile reader? → Yes, for iOS/Android.
1 What is Mendeley Web Importer? → Browser add-on to capture citations.
2 Can I store non-PDF files? → Yes, as attachments.
2 What are Groups? → Shared libraries for team projects.
2 Can I annotate PDFs? → Yes, highlight & comment.
2 Does it auto-update citations? → Yes if linked to Word doc.
2 Can I customize citation styles? → Yes, use CSL editor.
2 Is there technical support? → Via Elsevier Help Center.
2 Can I export entire library? → File > Export Library > RIS.
2 How to find duplicates? → Tools > Check for Duplicates.
2 Does it suggest papers? → Yes, AI-based recommendations.
2 Can I track citations of my papers? → Yes via Mendeley Profiles.
3 What is Mendeley Data? → Open repository for datasets.
3 Is there API access? → Yes, for institutional integrations.
3 Can I link to ORCID? → Yes, in Profile settings.
3 Can I import from PubMed? → Yes, via Web Importer.
3 Does it support citation numbers? → Yes (Vancouver style).
3 Can I back up manually? → Yes, export Library .bib.
3 Can I create folders for projects? → Yes, on sidebar.
3 Does it auto-detect duplicates? → Yes.
3 What if sync fails? → Check firewall or login status.
3 Are annotations searchable? → Yes, full-text search included.
4 How to contact support? → https://service.elsevier.com.
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