RefGrab-It is a feature of RefWorks which allows you to import bibliographic information from websites into RefWorks. It will also include additional information from other websites if there is an RSS feed, ISBN number, PubMed ID or DOI on the website.
RefGrab-It must be added to your internet browser. It is compatible with both Windows and Macs. The steps to add RefGrab-It to Internet Explorer or Firefox are at the bottom of this blog entry.
Once you find a website you need to cite, select RefGrab-It from your list of bookmarks. Another window will open up with the bibliographic information from the website. Select the Import button to move the website citation information into RefWorks.
Please note that you may have to edit the citation once it is in RefWorks because it may not pick up all the fields you need to cite the reference.
From RefGrab-It website:
Windows Users:
Internet Explorer (IE 7 and lower):
- Enable the Links toolbar in IE by selecting the View menu option, then Toolbars. If Lock the Toolbars is checked, click on it to de-select it. Then, from View, Toolbars click on Links. A checkmark will appear next to Links indicating that this feature is active. The Links toolbar should now be visible at the top right of your browser (it may appear in a slightly different position).
- In RefWorks, right-click on this RefGrab-It link. A menu will appear. Click on Add to Favorites. You may get a security challenge telling you that you may be adding something that is unsafe. Please say “yes”.
- The Add Favorite box opens and RefGrab-It should appear in the name box. Click the Create-In button to the right of the name box.
- The Add Favorite box expands and you should see the Links folder. Click on Links, then click on OK. A RefGrab-It button will appear in your Links area of the IE toolbar.
Note: If you do not want the RefGrab-It link in your toolbar, you can simply hide the Links area of the toolbar — select View, Toolbars and de-select Links.
Firefox:
- Enable the Links toolbar in Firefox by selecting the View menu option, then Toolbars. Click on Bookmarks Toolbar. A checkmark will appear next to Bookmarks Toolbar indicating that this feature is active. The Bookmarks toolbar should now be visible.
- In RefWorks, right-click on this RefGrab-It link. A menu will appear. Click on Bookmark This Link.
- The Add Bookmark box opens and RefGrab-It should appear in the name box. Click the Create-In drop-down to expand the list. Click on Bookmarks Toolbar. A RefGrab-It button will appear in your Bookmarks area of the Firefox toolbar.
- Drag and drop the RefGrab-It link to your personal toolbar.
Mac Users:
Firefox
- Select Tools, RefGrab-It.
- Drag and drop this RefGrab-It link to your browser toolbar.
