When you link a file to the File Attachments field in a reference, you have the option of saving a relative path to the file or an absolute path to the file.
When you insert a link to a file with the File Attachments > Attach File command from the References menu, the file dialog includes a check box titled, "Copy this file to the default file attachments folder and create a relative link."
Relative Path (check box selected)
When the check box is selected, EndNote makes a copy of the original file and places it in the DATA\PDF folder that is part of your EndNote library. This saves the file as a "portable link" that can move as part of the library. EndNote will always be able to access the file, even when you share your library with a colleague (always include the complete DATA folder along with the . ENL file). However, if you edit the original file on your computer, those changes will not be reflected in EndNote. You would need to clear the file from your EndNote reference and reinsert the file.
Absolute Path (check box blank)
When the check box is blank, EndNote will use the complete path and filename to look in the original folder for the inserted file. This can be helpful if you plan to edit the original file, and you want those changes reflected when you access the file from within EndNote. However, if you ever move the file from the original folder, EndNote will not be able to access it unless you clear the file from your EndNote reference and reinsert it from the new folder location. If you send your library to a colleague, the file will not be available.
Open a reference that contains a linked file in the File Attachments field. Hold your mouse pointer over the file icon.
If the file was linked with an absolute link, EndNote will display a tooltip with the full path and filename of the linked file.
You can also determine the type of path by previewing the File Attachments field. Use an output style such as Show All Fields, which includes the File Attachments field. In the preview, file attachments appear as:
Absolute Path:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\EndNoteFilename_MyFile.PDF file://localhost/Users/John/ Filename.PDF
Relative Path:
Filename_MyFile.PDF
Since you likely will want all of your linked files treated the same way, you can select a default setting for the "Copy this file to the default file attachments folder and create a relative link" check box. You can change the default setting from the Preferences panel. See URLs & Links Preferences.
You still have the option to override the default setting each time you insert a file into the File Attachments field.
If you are working with a library that was created with a version of EndNote prior to version X, all of your existing linked files are saved with absolute paths. You can easily change your absolute paths to relative paths, which will allow you to easily share your library, along with linked files, with colleagues.
To convert absolute paths to relative paths:
Before you begin, back up your EndNote library. This change cannot be reversed.
In the Library window, highlight the references you wish to modify.
From the References menu, select File Attachments > Convert to Relative Links.
For each selected reference, EndNote locates each file linked into the File Attachments field and copies those files into the DATA\PDF folder for the library.
If you try to insert a link to the same filename again in the same reference, your results are different depending on whether you are inserting files with a relative path or an absolute path.
Relative Path: The relative path always points to the library’s DATA\PDF folder. You have the option to either replace the current link or give the newly linked file a new name. EndNote automatically renames the file.
Absolute Path: Because you could have several absolute paths pointing to the same filename in different folders, it is possible to link to the same filename numerous times. When you hold your mouse pointer over each file icon in the File Attachments field, the tooltip will display the full path and filename.