All references must be imported into Rayyan as exported files — there is no direct database connection. The process is always the same: run your search in the external source → export in a compatible format → upload the file into Rayyan. This article covers source-specific steps and things to watch out for along the way.
Note For the full list of supported file formats and guidance on which format works best, see Supported File Formats for Importing into Rayyan.
PubMed
Recommended format: PubMed (NBIB) or CSV
- Run your search in PubMed
- Click Save → choose format PubMed or CSV → select All results
- Save the file to your device and upload it into Rayyan via Add References
Embase
Recommended format: RIS
- Run your search in Embase and select the results you want to export
- Click Export → choose RIS format → include all fields with abstract
- Save the file and upload it via Add References
Common issue Embase has a per-export record limit. If your search returns more records than the limit allows, split your results into batches and upload each as a separate named import in Rayyan.
Cochrane Library
Recommended format: RIS (EndNote)
- Select the records you want in Cochrane
- Click Export → choose RIS (EndNote) format
- Make sure the abstract is included in the export settings before saving
- Upload the file via Add References
Web of Science
Recommended format: RIS
- Run your search in Web of Science and select your results
- Click Export → choose RIS or Tab-delimited (Win, UTF-8)
- Select Full Record and Cited References to include abstracts
- Upload the file via Add References
Common issue Web of Science has a 500-record limit per export. For larger result sets, sort by relevance and export in multiple batches, uploading each as a separate named import.
Scopus
Recommended format: RIS
- Run your search in Scopus and select your results
- Click Export → choose RIS Format
- Select Abstract & keywords under Citation information to include abstracts
- Upload the file via Add References
Common issue Scopus has a 2,000-record limit per export. For larger result sets, export in multiple batches using date range filters and upload each as a separate named import.
ScienceDirect
Recommended format: RIS
- Run your search in ScienceDirect and select the articles you want
- Click Export → choose RIS
- Save and upload via Add References
Common issue ScienceDirect limits exports to 2,000 records at a time. Split large result sets into batches.
EBSCO databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE)
Recommended format: RIS
- Run your search and select the results you want to export
- Click Share or Export → choose Direct Export to RefWorks or Export to RIS
- Make sure the abstract field is included
- Upload the file via Add References
Note Export options and labels vary slightly between EBSCO databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE). The process is the same — look for the RIS or direct export option in your database’s export menu.
8. Google Scholar
Recommended format: BibTeX
- Click the Cite link under a result → select BibTeX
- For bulk export, use a browser extension such as Zotero Connector to collect citations, then export as RIS from Zotero
- Upload the file via Add References
Important Google Scholar does not include abstracts in any of its export formats. References will arrive in Rayyan without abstracts, which limits Relevance Ranking and PICO extraction. Treat Google Scholar as a supplementary source and prioritize primary databases for your main search.
IEEE Xplore
Recommended format: RIS
- Run your search in IEEE Xplore and select the results you want
- Click Export → choose RIS format
- Confirm abstracts are included and download the file
- Upload via Add References
Zotero
Recommended format: RIS
- Select the references you want to export in Zotero
- Right-click → Export Items → choose RIS format
- Make sure Export Notes is unchecked to keep the file clean
- Upload via Add References
Mendeley
Recommended format: RIS
- Select the references you want to export in Mendeley
- Click File → Export → choose RIS format
- Upload via Add References
EndNote
Recommended format: RefMan RIS or EndNote Export (.enw)
- Select your references in EndNote
- Click File → Export → choose output style RefMan (RIS) Export or EndNote Export
- Save the file and upload via Add References
Important Do not export from EndNote using BibTeX format — abstracts are not included in BibTeX exports from EndNote. Always use RefMan RIS or EndNote Export to preserve abstract data.
Papers
Recommended format: RIS
- Select the references you want to export in Papers
- Click File → Export → choose RIS format
- Upload via Add References
My source is not listed
If your database is not listed here, try these approaches:
- Export as RIS or CSV — most academic databases support at least one of these formats
- Use a reference manager as a bridge — import your results into Zotero or Mendeley, then export as RIS for upload into Rayyan
- Check the export settings carefully — make sure you are exporting the full record including abstracts
If you continue to have trouble, contact Rayyan Support and include the database name and a sample export file.
Continue to: How to Add and Manage Full-Text PDFs in Rayyan