Skip to Main Content

RefWorks

NU Library's preferred research management tool.

RefWorks Citation Manager (RCM) for Microsoft Word

RefWorks Citation Manager is a plugin that lets you run a simplified version of RefWorks in Microsoft Word. RefWorks Citation Manager is a newer, more modern version of Write-N-Cite.

RefWorks Citation Manager is available through the Microsoft Store and can be installed directly from Microsoft Word. By default, Office automatically updates RefWorks Citation Manager whenever a new version becomes available.

Features:

  • Provides read-only access to your RefWorks account, enabling you to view and insert your previously collated references into your document, formatted using previously defined citation styles.
  • You can add inline citations. Adding a citation also adds a bibliography to the end of the document. As you add or remove references, the plugin automatically updates the bibliography.
  • Every time you log into RefWorks Citation Manager, it automatically synchronizes with your RefWorks account.

NOTE:

  • Macintosh users of Microsoft Office 2016 MUST USE RefWorks Citation Manager. Windows users of Microsoft Office 2016 users can choose whether to use Write-N-Cite or RefWorks Citation Manager.
  • Codes inserted by Write-N-Cite are not recognized by RefWorks Citation Manager, and vice versa. You MUST choose which tool you would like to use.
  • RefWorks Citation Manager provides limited access to your RefWorks account, and does not enable you to make changes to your references.
  • If you have documents with codes that were added using RefWorks Citation Manager associated with legacy RefWorks, RefWorks Citation Manager can convert these codes to (new) RefWorks. RefWorks Citation Manager cannot otherwise manage older codes.

1. To install RefWorks Citation Manager, open a new Microsoft Word document. Click on the Insert tab in your Microsoft Word ribbon and click on Get Add-ins.

Insert tab on Microsoft Word ribbon displaying Get Add ins option

2. In Office Add-ins, search for RefWorks. Click on Add.Microsoft Word Office Add-ins search for RefWorks

3. An RCM tab will appear in your Microsoft Word ribbon. Click on RefWorks Citation Manager to launch the tool. You will be required to login with your NU school email address and your chosen alternate password.

NOTE: Choosing an alternate password for your account will allow you to login to RefWorks for Google Docs and RefWorks for Microsoft Word using your NU school email and this alternate password. Currently, these integrations do not sync with NU's institutional sign-in page.RefWorks Citation Manager installed in Microsoft Word

Choosing an alternate password for your account will allow you to login to RefWorks for Google Docs and RefWorks for Microsoft Word using your NU school email and this password. Currently, these integrations do not sync with NU's institutional sign-in page.

1. To set up an alternate password for your RefWorks account, click on your name in the top right corner in your RefWorks online dashboard and go to Settings.

Access your personal settings in RefWorks

2. Scroll to the Alternate Password section and click on Set alternate password.Set alternate password in RefWorks settings

3. Create an alternate password that is at least 6 characters for your RefWorks account and click on Save.

Create an alternate password

Was this resource helpful?