Mendeley Reference Manager

Mendeley Reference Manager, often called Mendeley for short, is a freely available reference manager.^[1]

Mendeley Reference Manager includes a desktop version which can be installed on Windows, iOS and Linux. For each version there are online guides and a support hub available. It is also available as a web-based application, with synchronization done automatically when online, so your library is accessible even when away from your own devices.

A citation application for Microsoft Word, called Mendeley Cite, can be used in tandem with Mendeley. It allows you to add references from your Mendeley library without leaving the document.^[2]

The new Mendeley Reference Manager (2:24 mins)

_{The New Mendeley Reference Manager (2:24 mins) by Mendeley (YouTube)}

Features of Mendeley Reference Manager

• Easily search your library and organise references into collections.
• Use Mendeley Cite with Microsoft Word for seamless integration of your library with your written work.
• Import references directly from the web using the Mendeley Web Importer plugin for Chrome and Firefox.
• Add, read, organise and annotate PDFs on both the web and desktop applications.
• Access 2GB of free storage (upgrades are available for a fee).
• On a free account, create up to five private groups with 25 members each for collaboration, PDF sharing, and shared annotations.
• Transfer your library to another reference manager via an RIS, XML or BibTeX file, using the desktop version.
• Install the software on Windows, iOS and Linux platforms.
• Use the web version available on Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
• RMIT staff and students can access the Mendeley Institutional Edition (MIE) which has increased storage and collaboration capacity. More information is available from the library guide Mendeley.

However, Mendeley Reference Manager has limited functionality with some word processing applications such as Google Docs and Apple Pages. You cannot search for new resources from within the application. And while its group functionality allows for sharing of PDF documents, you cannot create open groups or libraries accessible to anyone.

Pros and cons of Mendeley Reference Manager

Mendeley is used by many researchers at RMIT University. Here’s a short video of Professor James Harland speaking about aspects of Mendeley that he finds useful.

James Harland on Mendeley (2:16 mins)

_{Dr James Harland Mendeley (2:16 mins) by RMIT University Library is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0}