Mendeley - Beyond the Basics

This method may make it easier for you to locate the references you want, because you can easily identify and select references within your Mendeley folders or favourites. However, it can be problematic if you want to cite more than one reference at a time. You can select multiple references to cite by using the ctrl key, or you can follow the instructions below for merging citations.

In our Mendeley Beginner’s Guide, you will find instructions for adding citations to your document using the Mendeley plugin.

You can also add citations by:

1. Clicking Insert Citation from the References tab in Word.

   

2. Then click Go To Mendeley:

   First make sure your cursor is where you want the citation to appear

   

3. You can then select the reference/s you want to cite, and click on the Cite icon:

If you have entered two in-text citations side-by-side, they may not have joined in accordance with the rules of your citation style.

1. Highlight the citations you want to merge:
   • APA
   • Vancouver
   • Vancouver superscript

   

2. The Insert Citation button in the References tab then changes to Merge Citations:

   

3. Your citations should appear in the correct format and order once you have clicked Merge Citations:
   • APA
   • Vancouver
   • Vancouver superscript

   

Including the year only in your in-text citations

When using author-date styles, such as APA 6th, you may have some in-text citations where you want to include the year only, without the author name(s).

For example:

To remove the author name(s) in Mendeley:

1. First insert the citation as normal into your document:

   

2. Then click on the in-text citation so that it is highlighted:

   

3. The Insert Citation button in the References tab then changes to Edit Citation:

   

4. After selecting Edit Citation, click on the author name so that it is highlighted.
   Then tick the Suppress Author box, and click OK:

   

5. Your in-text citation should now appear correctly:

   

Adding page numbers to in-text citations

In some author-date styles, such as APA 6th, you are required to include the page number(s) (or other location information, such as paragraph number, or section, or part, etc.) when using a direct quotation. For these styles, it is also recommended that you include the page number(s) (etc.) when paraphrasing from a long or complex document, such as a government report or book.

For example:

To add the page number(s) in Mendeley:

1. First insert the citation as normal into your document:

   

2. Then click on the in-text citation so that it is highlighted:

   

3. The Insert Citation button in the References tab then changes to Edit Citation:

   

4. After selecting Edit Citation, click on the author name so that it is highlighted.
   Then enter the page number(s) and click OK. 

   

5. Your in-text citation should now appear with the page number(s):