The reference management system Mendeley

Mendeley is a literature management system and scientific social network that consists of two components:

  • Mendeley Desktop and Mendeley Reference Manager (Mac, Windows, Linux): Components on your own computer, management of literature and PDF documents
  • Mendeley Web (also available as an app for iPhone and iPad): Web application, literature research and making and maintaining contacts with others in the social network

The components can be synchronized with each other.

Mendeley is particularly suitable for managing PDF documents and for working in groups that want to manage literature together.
The basic version (2 GB storage volume in the web application, a private group with up to three members with 100 MB shared storage volume) is free of charge. PDF files can be excluded during synchronization to save storage volume.

With Mendeley you can...

Collect data
  • Import PDF files with drag and drop or via the "Watch Folder" function (all documents saved in a specific folder on the computer are automatically imported). Bibliographic data is also imported if possible. If data is missing, you can search for it in the Mendeley Catalog using the "Search" button.
  • Web Importer: Import of references from library catalogs and databases possible (unfortunately the RUB Primo catalog does not work!)
    Important: Pop-up windows must be allowed.
  • Search via desktop or web application in the Mendeley Catalog
  • Availability search in the Mendeley Catalog: In the web application under Account details "Sharing / Importing", then click "Add library manually" and enter the following base URL:
    http://linksolver.ovid.com/OpenUrl/LinkSolver
  • Import via DOI, PMID, Arxiv ID
  • Import from other reference management programs via exchange formats (EndNote, BibTeX, RIS)
  • Manual input
  • Automatic import of Zotero data
Organize and manage data
  • Sorting entries in folders
  • Tags and notes can be added, even for several entries at the same time.
  • PDF files can be marked and commented, PDFs can be printed directly from Mendeley Desktop, also with markings and comments.
  • Search function across all entries and PDF content
  • The File Organizer function automatically renames files and stores them in a defined folder structure on the computer.
Cite data
  • Citation plugin and Mendeley Cite for Microsoft Word and Libre Office, citations can be copied into Google Docs and LaTex.
  • Eight citation styles are preset, and over 1,000 additional styles can be downloaded.
  • Creating your own citation styles is recommended for advanced users. Click here for the CSL Editor.

Tips on citation styles:

Citation styles (RUB):

The citation styles A and B of the RUB Faculty of Medicine are based on the template "Merkblatt zur Abfassung der Dissertation" of the Faculty of Medicine and are a first version. If you notice any errors, please report them to us here.

Paste one of the following links in Mendeley Desktop under View - Citation Style - More Styles - Get More Styles - Download Style and download the desired style:

  • https://csl.mendeley.com/styles/462172451/rub-meddiss-variante-a-3
  • https://csl.mendeley.com/styles/8513413/rub-meddiss-variante-b
Export data
  • Export via exchange formats (EndNote, BibTeX, RIS)
  • Automatic generation of a BibTex file of all references or individual folders
Working with other people (for advanced users)
  • Public Groups: By invitation only or open to all; PDFs cannot be made available for copyright reasons.
  • Social Network: It is possible to search for people, groups, literature references, make contacts and write messages.
  • Literature database: is created by the anonymized entries of the members. If you do not want this, individual references can be excluded (Other Settings: Exclude from Mendeley Web Catalog).

Courses and support

  • We offer introductions to Mendeley on request at ub-kurse@rub.de.
  • For individual advice on Mendeley, please contact ub-information@rub.de.
  • The Mendeley courses at the University Library will show you how to use this program. If you have any other questions about academic writing, you can contact the RUB Writing Center (Schreibzentrum).

Good to know

  • Mendeley is not optimized for German sources, e.g. the Web Importer only works partially with library catalogs.
  • References cannot be transferred via the ISBN.
  • Entries often have to be checked and reworked.

Helpful links

The links marked with * lead to a page that may be subject to less strict data protection guidelines and may collect personal data. You can find more information in our privacy policy.