Can CSL citation styles be used with EndNote or Citavi?

Anyone who uses Zotero or Mendeley knows them well: .csl files created with the so-called Citation Style Language . These files can be used to create citation styles to fulfil the requirements of various publications or universities. The styles in my shop are all developed using this programming language.

However, a common question is whether these .csl citation styles can also be used with other reference management programmes such as EndNote or Citavi .

The short answer: No.

EndNote and Citavi rely on proprietary systems for their citation styles. While Zotero and Mendeley work with the open and widely used .csl technology, EndNote and Citavi developed their own formatsthat were created not compatible with with .csl files. This means that you either have to use the existing styles for these programmes or use proprietary editors to make changes.

Why no .csl support?

The decision to rely on proprietary systems is clearly due to the fact that these providers want to bind their users to them. Instead of relying on a open, jointly developed format like .csl, they want to force their users to their to stick to their ecosystems. This makes switching between programmes or using the same citation styles across several tools unnecessarily complicated.

Summary

If you are looking for flexibility and openness, programmes such as Zotero well advised. I always recommend switching to Zotero, because it only has advantages and on top of that is also free.


Further reading

About the popularity of citation software. Trends over the last 20 years.
About the popularity of citation software. Trends over the last 20 years.
Comparison of citation software: Which tool is the best for your academic work? We analyse the development of Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, JabRef and Citavi and show you which program is currently in vogue.
Zotero education, training & mentoring - Citation Styler
Zotero not working? Let an expert help you
Find out in this article whether EndNote and Citavi .csl support citation styles.
Correct literature research and citation with Zotero at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW)
Correct literature research and citation with Zotero at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW)
Are you studying at the DHBW and your next term paper is due? Here I'll show you how to make your life easier thanks to Zotero and the correct citation style.
Blog - Using Obsidian with Zotero
How to Use Zotero with Obsidian (Guest Article)
Optimiere deine wissenschaftliche Arbeit! Erfahre, wie du Zotero mit Obsidian verbindest, das Plugin einrichtest & deine erste Notiz importierst.

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