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Academic Publishing: Managing References

Creating Folders

Using folders in RefWorks allows you to organize your references.

  • Create folders for specific subjects, projects, or classes.
  • There is no limit to the number of references or folders you may have in your account.
  • A reference may be kept in more than one folder

To create a new folder:

  1. Click on under the toolbar, near the top of the page

  2. Name the folder

  3. Then click Create 

Moving References into Folders

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to move a newly imported reference into a folder that you have created.

1. After importing a reference, click the View Last Imported Folder icon

2. Check the box located on the left-hand side of the brief citation to move it into a folder.

3. Click on the icon to select from a drop-down list of folders you have created, or you can create a new folder for your reference by clicking the New Folder icon

Once you have selected your folder RefWorks will confirm that your reference has been moved.  

Note: you can put one reference in multiple folders

    Default Folders

    Your RefWorks account comes with 3 folders already set up:

    Last Imported contains the references from your most recent import. When your import is complete you can view your imported references by clicking on the "View Last Imported Folder" button.


    These references are automatically replaced the next time you import references.

    You can also find this folder by clicking on the View tab located in the toolbar near the top of the page; click on View Folder, and then click on Last Imported.


    References Not in Folder contain all the references that have not been designated a folder.

    You can find this folder by clicking on the View tab located in the toolbar near the top of the page; click on View Folder, and then click on Not In Folder.


    Deleted References contain references that you have deleted. References in this folder will be automatically and permanently deleted after 30 days. Note: You can un-delete references in this folder. Any un-deleted references will be restored with any folder information, attachments, etc.

    You can find this folder by clicking on the View tab located in the toolbar near the top of the page.