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This error message in Word when trying to insert a citation, "EndNote error", is unfortunately a bug in the 20.5 update. We have reported this to the manufacturer, and they are working on a fix/update.
We experienced the same problem on one of our computers.
Symptoms
- EndNote opens an old library (which we have deleted), and does not remember the "Most recent libraries".
- When I try to insert references in Word I get the "EndNote error" error message.
Our theory is that EndNote 20.5 no longer manages to write to the Windows registry. Among other things, "Recent libraries" are added there. So what you had in the Windows registry remains there after the 20.5 update, no matter what you do/which libraries you use.
Solution/Workaround
The first step is only needed if you get an error message when you start EndNote that the library does not exist/cannot be opened.
- a.) Copy-paste an existing EndNote library to the same location/path as EndNote is asking for. Rename the library and the Data folder exactly as EndNote asks for. The easiest is probably to open an existing library, and EndNote: File > Save a Copy to the same location and give the same name as EndNote is asking for and can't find at startup.
b.) Open Notepad and save an .enl file with exactly the same name and location as EndNote asks for. Make sure to rename the file extension from .txt to .enl.
Windows file explorer must be set to show "File name extension" to be able to do this, i.e. save a note as "library.enl". If this is not set the file will be named "library.enl.txt". Open Windows file explorer (Win+E) > View > Tick the "File name extension" option.
Then start EndNote, say ok to create the Data folder, and EndNote will hopefully show an empty library.
- Open your library (EndNote: File > Open library), and set EndNote to always open this library. (EndNote: Edit > Preferences > Libraries). Click the "Add Open library" button, and change "When EndNote starts" to "Open the specified libraries" > Apply > Ok.
Everything should now hopefully work, and you should not get the "EndNote error" when you try to insert citations in Word.
However, Recent libraries will still not work/not show the last open library. We will have to wait for a bug fix from Clarivate.