Library - Frequently Asked Questions

Are you using Word 365, Word via One Drive, Word through the UNMC Microsoft license, or a UNMC-owned computer? 

If so, as of spring 2021, you only have access to Word 365 and the only RefWorks citation tool that works with Word 365 is RefWorks Citation Manager (RCM).  See https://unmc.libguides.com/c.php?g=444165&p=3029847 for instruction for adding the RCM to Word and using the RCM to insert in-text citations and bibliographies.  Write-n-Cite (WNC) will not work in Word 365.

If you are using a WNC-compatible, personally-licensed version of Word on a personal computer, you can still us WNC. 

Provided the WNC installation went smoothly, the following may be helpful.

Option 1

Updating java will usually solve this problem (although it's not the only approach see option 2.  You may want to start by going to java.com and clicking the "Download" button.  The java website will check the version/s of java your are running on your computer and give you a chance to download and install a new version if necessary. 

Option 2

If the above doesn't solve your problem or you don't want to install a new version of java, you may be able to get by with the following steps alone. 

Open Word

Use Word's "File" menu to select "Options"

From the navigation panel in the "Options" box, choose "Add-ins"

a.  Does Write-n-Cite 4 appear in the "inactive add-ins" list?

Toward the bottom of the "Add-ins" panel is a drop-down menu with the default option "COM Add-ins".  Click the "Go" button next to this drop-down.

In the pop-up box that appears, make sure the "Write-n-Cite 4" is selected and then click the "OK" button.

You may need to restart Word or even restart your computer to get Write-n-Cite to load.

b.  Does Write-n-Cite 4 appear in the "Disabled Application Add-ins" list?

Toward the bottom of the "Add-ins" panel is a drop-down menu with the default option "COM Add-ins".  Use this menu to select "Disabled Items" and click the "Go" button.

When the list of disabled items appears, select and "enable" Write-n-Cite 4.

It may take a moment or two, but the "RefWorks" tab should now appear in your Word document.

If Write-n-Cite 4 is in Word's inactive add-ins list and you have updated java but the RefWorks ribbon is still not appearing; I would suggest that you try restarting your computer. Write-n-Cite is set to load at start-up.   Word doesn't always go through a complete start-up when it's just closed and reopened.  However, in my experience, Word does go through a complete start-up, and Write-n-Cite will often load, after the computer has been restarted.

If you need further help, you may be best served by contacting RefWorks tech support at refworks.support@exlibrisgroup.com.  You could consider first checking for Word and operating system updates as these can be crucial to Write-n-Cite's function.  You may also want to check to see that you have the essential background software installed:

•  Microsoft .NET Framework 4.

• Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime please visit Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime.

• Current version of Java