Scopus Integration Guide

How to Export Scopus Search Results

Export records to RIS, CSV, or BibTeX and select the metadata your next tool needs. For title and abstract screening, include abstracts and keywords rather than citation details alone.

Current Scopus export limit

Elsevier's current Scopus help states that most file and reference-manager export options support up to 20,000 items. Mendeley is limited to 2,000 documents and SciVal to 50,000. Large or complex exports may be processed in the background and appear in the Exports Dashboard rather than downloading immediately.

Interface behavior and limits can change. Verify them in Elsevier's official Scopus export help before a large export. This Lumina guide is independent and is not official Scopus documentation.

Should You Export CSV, RIS, or BibTeX?

Format Best for Systematic review note
RIS Screening tools and reference managers such as EndNote or Zotero Usually the safest transfer format; explicitly include Abstract & keywords.
CSV Excel, spreadsheets, data checking, and custom analysis Useful when you need visible columns. Import accented characters through Excel's data-import flow if they display incorrectly.
BibTeX LaTeX, BibTeX libraries, and compatible citation workflows Good for citation management, but available metadata differs by format; Elsevier notes that some fields are unavailable in BibTeX.

Required Scopus Export Settings

When you click the export button in Scopus, configure the export settings modal exactly as shown below to ensure downstream review tools can parse your files.

Scopus Export Panel Mimic Required Selection
RIS Format EndNote, Reference Manager
CSV Excel / Spreadsheet
BibTeX LaTeX / Citation Library
✓
Citation information Author, Document Title, Year, Source Title, Volume...
✓
Abstract & keywords Abstract, Author Keywords, Index Keywords
Funding details (Optional) Number, Acronym, Sponsor...

Step-by-Step Scopus Export Workflow

1

Execute Your Search Query

Run your Boolean search query in Scopus. Refine your results using the filters in the left sidebar if needed.

2

Select Reference Records

Select the checkbox at the top left of the results table to select all articles, or check individual boxes if exporting a subset.

3

Open the Export Dialog

Click the "Export" option in the action bar above your search results list.

4

Choose the Format and Metadata

Choose RIS for most screening tools, CSV for spreadsheet work, or BibTeX for LaTeX. For screening, select Citation information and Abstract & keywords.

5

Export, Download, and Label

Click Export. A simple export may download automatically; larger exports can appear in the Exports Dashboard. Keep the original file and use a descriptive name such as scopus_2026-07-12.ris.

Troubleshooting Scopus Exports

Missing abstracts error in Lumina: If you import a Scopus RIS file and find that papers lack abstracts, you likely forgot to check the "Abstract & keywords" box during export. You must re-export from Scopus with the correct selections.
Export is still processing: Scopus may queue large or complex exports in the Exports Dashboard. Elsevier says processed files remain available there for three days. Check the dashboard before starting the same export again.
Some fields are unavailable: Metadata availability varies by export format. If a required field is missing in BibTeX or RIS, compare the available CSV fields or consult Elsevier's field-by-format reference.
After your Scopus search

Search 6 additional academic databases at once

Keep your exported Scopus results as part of the review, then use Lumina for a supplementary search across PubMed, OpenAlex, arXiv, Europe PMC, bioRxiv/medRxiv, and OpenAIRE. Lumina combines the returned citations, removes duplicates, and checks available metadata with Crossref.

Explore multi-database literature search

Next Step

Once you have exported your RIS files from Scopus, continue to the main import guide or upload them directly into your Lumina project.

Go to Import Guide Try the Demo

Related Guides

Search Multiple Academic Databases

Supplement Scopus with six additional sources in one workflow.

Import from Scientific Databases

How Scopus fits into a multi-database search workflow.

Export from Web of Science

Compare Web of Science export configurations.

How to Import Scientific Papers

How RIS reference managers transfer files.