Import Publication Data

You can import publication data from many different databases and reference management tools in to DiVA, using several different reference formats.

How to Import

  1. Search references in a database (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Libris) or a reference management tool (e.g., EndNote) and save the results as a file on your computer. See instructions below in the section "Alternatives for importing".
  2. Log in to DiVA with your University account.
  3. Select "Import references".
  4. Click the button "Import from external databases".

  5. Select format, upload and import your saved file with references. You can also import a single reference from PubMed using its PubMed ID (PMID).

  6. The reference or references that you have imported are displayed under "List imported details".

    “Duplicate…” means that there already is a publication with the same DOI, ISI-id or PubMed ID registered in DiVA. Click on the reference if you want to edit the existing details that have been registered. Please note that records that have undergone bibliographic control by the library are locked for editing. If you want to edit these, e-mail the DiVA Helpdesk at (helpdesk.diva@hh.se) so we can help you.

  7. Click on each reference to add the organisational affiliation and the full first name for all Halmstad University authors, as well as your local author-id. Continue to the step "Review/Publish" and click "Submit" to publish the record in DiVA. The records are visible immediately in DiVA, however full text files and/or other attachments are checked by the library before they are published in DiVA.

    References that you have imported to DiVA but have not yet edited and/or submitted will appear under "List imported details" the next time you log in.


Alternatives for Importing

A. Import a Single Reference from PubMed
  • Fill in the publication’s PubMed ID (PMID) and click "Import".

B. Import a File with Several References from PubMed
  • Search PubMed and mark the listed records you want to import. Select "File" and "XML" under "Send to" and save the file on your computer.

  • To import the file in to DiVA, select "PubMed XML" under "Select format". Click "Browse" in order to locate the right file on your computer and upload it to DiVA. The file is called pubmed_result.txt unless you gave it another name. Then click "Import".

C. Import a File with Several References from Web of Science (ISI)
  • Search in Web of Science (via ISI Web of Knowledge) and mark the listed records you want to import. Press "Export" and select "RIS" (other reference software) in the drop-down menu. 
  • A window will open. Select "Full Record" from the drop-down list for Record Content. Click on the "Export" button to save the file on your computer.
  • To import the file in to DiVA, select ISI under "Select format". Click "Browse" in order to locate the right file on your computer and upload it to DiVA. The file is called savedrecs.txt unless you gave it another name. Then click "Import".

    Import ISI to DiVA

D. Import a File with Several References from EndNote
  • Open EndNote and mark all the references you want to import.
  • Select File --> Export…
  • Select "Save file as type" = "XML" and "Output Style" = "Show All Fields". Save the file on your computer.

  • To import the file in to DiVA, select EndNote XML under "Select format". Click "Browse" in order to locate the right file on your computer. The file is called My EndNote Library.txt unless you choose another name. Then click "Import".

E. Import a File with Several References from Other DiVA Databases (i.e. from Other Universities or Organisations)
  1. Search for your publications in the other university's DiVA. Mark the references that you want to import.
  2. Click on "Export", choose the reference format Mods, and select "Save the file on your computer".
  3. Log in to HU:s DiVA, select "Import references" and click on Import from external databases.
  4. Select the format MODS V3, upload and import your file.
  5. Click on each record, confirm that all the information is correct and "Submit".

    Note: Do not change the Organisation (Department, Unit or Programme) details. These should reflect the affiliation information in the original publication.


    You can no longer see or edit your details after you have clicked "Submit". Contact DiVA Helpdesk (helpdesk.diva@hh.se) if you need to change anything.

F. Import a File with References from Many Other Databases (e.g. Scopus, Libris…)

You can import references from many other databases and reference management tools in to DiVA by importing them in one of the formats BibTex, BibLatex, RIS, Endnote Referer, or MODS. BibTex is a common reference format which is offered by many databases.


Ensure you select the correct reference format under "Select format" when you upload your file to DiVA.

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