Converting Windows EndNote Files for the Macintosh
Although EndNote files can be used on both Windows and Mac platforms without translation, EndNote files created in Windows can't be recognized by Macintoshes until the File Type and Creator codes for that file are changed into Mac language. With EndNote libraries, this is easily accomplished by holding down the Shift key while selecting Open from EndNote's File menu. This allows you to see all files including the ones that EndNote doesn't recognize. Simply select the library file that you've brought over from Windows.
However, the process is more complicated for EndNote's connection files, import filters and styles. EndNote 4 introduced the Style Manager, Filter Manager and Connection Manager. Since you are accessing the files through these "manager" programs rather than through a simple Open File command, holding down the Shift key has no effect. You will need to edit some invisible codes in these files to get EndNote to recognize them. A free application is available that will allow you to change these codes. I've laid out the steps here, using the local EndNote import filter for the America: History & Life database as an example.
/reference/services/EndNote/filters/pc/America_History_and_Life.enf
When you click on the link to download the file, you should get this (or a similar) prompt:
Click "Save file" to save the file somewhere on your hard drive. The file icon will look something like this:
The icon is blank, indicating that the Mac doesn't know which application this file belongs to. In Windows, that ownership is denoted by the three-letter file extensions—in this case, .enf indicates that this is an EndNote import filter. However, Macintoshes look elsewhere in the file for creator and file type information. A little utility called CTC will allow you to change the Creator and File Type designations so that your file will be recognized as belonging to EndNote.
Download the program CTC by clicking this link: http://www.ImageMontage.com/software/CTC.sit
This is a self-extracting file and will decompress automatically if you have
StuffIt Expander
or a similar program loaded on your Mac. Once it has decompressed, you should
have the following folder:
To change the Creator and File Type for an unrecognized file, drag the icon of that file and drop it onto the icon "CTC 2.22fat" in the CTC folder. You will get a window that looks something like this:
We are going to change the four-letter codes in the boxes to those used by EndNote files. Make sure the check boxes next to New Creator: and New Type: are selected. The four-letter code that designates EndNote as the file Creator is ENDN. This will be the same for all EndNote files, regardless of type. The four-letter codes for the four EndNote file types are:
| ENDB | EndNote library (corresponds to Windows extension .enl) |
| EL2s | EndNote import filter (corresponds to Windows extension .enf) |
| ENZ3 | EndNote connection file (corresponds to Windows extension .enz) |
| ENFT | EndNote style (corresponds to Windows extension .ens) |
In our example, we know this file is an EndNote filter, so we'll fill in EL2s as the New Type:
Leave all the other options untouched and click OK. Your icon should now look like this:
Now you can move the file into the Filters folder in your EndNote folder on your hard drive, and you will be able to see this import filter when you open EndNote's Filter Manager.
Julie Borden
j-borden@northwestern.edu
