Import Guide
Import Search Results from Scientific Databases
The reliable way to import search results is simple: export a format that includes titles and abstracts, then upload that file into Lumina.
Quick Rule
Best Default
Use RIS with abstracts whenever the database offers it.
PubMed Exception
Use .nbib for PubMed, or CSV if you specifically want spreadsheet columns.
Main Failure Mode
Do not choose citation-only export. Pick abstract, full record, or equivalent.
Recommended Export Methods
PM
PubMed
Best choice: PubMed (.nbib).
- 1. Run your search.
- 2. Click Save.
- 3. Choose All results or the record range you need.
- 4. Choose PubMed for `.nbib`, or CSV for spreadsheet export.
- 5. Click Create file.
Sc
Scopus
Best choice: RIS with Abstract enabled.
- 1. Select the result set you want to export.
- 2. Click Export.
- 3. Choose RIS, or CSV if you need a spreadsheet.
- 4. Include Abstract or Abstract + Keywords.
WoS
Web of Science
Best choice: RIS or tagged text .ciw with Full Record.
- 1. Open your results or marked list.
- 2. Click Export.
- 3. Choose Other reference software (RIS) or a tagged text export.
- 4. Set record content to Full Record, not summary-only output.
Em
Embase
Best choice: RIS or CSV with abstracts/full record.
- 1. Use Export from the search results page.
- 2. Choose RIS where available.
- 3. Pick a content mode such as Citations and Abstracts, Abstract and Index Terms, or Full Record.
- 4. Avoid Titles Only or Citations Only.
Co
Cochrane, EndNote, Zotero, Publisher Sites
Best choice: RIS, BibTeX, or EndNote tagged text (.enw).
- 1. Prefer RIS if it is offered.
- 2. If not, use BibTeX or .enw.
- 3. Make sure the export includes abstract/full metadata, not citation-only fields.
Formats Lumina Accepts
Structured citation formats
`.ris`, `.nbib`, `.bib`, `.ciw`, `.enw`
Spreadsheet import
`.csv` with title plus abstract where available
Manual fallback
Tagged plain text blocks with Title: and Abstract:
Import into Lumina
- 1. Open your project.
- 2. Click Upload Papers.
- 3. Upload the export file from the database.
- 4. Lumina extracts titles, abstracts, authors, DOI, journal, and dates where present.
- 5. Duplicate titles and duplicate DOIs are skipped automatically.
Troubleshooting
No abstracts after import: Re-export the database results with Abstract, Full Record, or equivalent enabled.
CSV imported badly: Re-export as RIS if the database supports it. RIS is usually the most reliable for screening imports.
Multiple databases: Import each export separately. Lumina will deduplicate overlapping records by DOI and title.