To add Mendeley Cite in Word, open Home → Add-ins, search for Mendeley Cite and select Add. The add-in then appears on the References tab. If Add-ins is missing from your ribbon, the Microsoft Marketplace route installs it instead.
In this guide, you’ll learn 2 easy methods to add Mendeley Cite in Word, how to confirm the install worked, and what to do when a work or university account blocks add-ins entirely. If you are setting up a long academic document, pair it with how to create a table of contents in Word.
What Is Mendeley Cite?
Mendeley Cite is a free citation add-in from Elsevier. Once installed, it sits on the References tab and inserts citations from your Mendeley library into the document, then builds the bibliography to match. It runs as an Office add-in rather than a desktop plugin, so it works without Mendeley Desktop open.
Three things to check before you start:
- You are signed in to Word with a Microsoft account.
- Your Microsoft 365 licence permits add-ins. Word 2016 and later support them; the free web version has limits.
- Your organisation has not disabled add-ins centrally — the most common reason installation silently fails.
Watch the Video Tutorial
If you prefer to see this in action, the full video walkthrough is below, showing each method step by step.
How to Add Mendeley Cite in Word: Step-by-Step
Method 1 installs from inside Word and takes about a minute. Method 2 installs from the browser and exists for one reason: your ribbon has no Add-ins button. Try Method 1 first.
Method 1: How to Add Mendeley Cite in Word Using Add-ins
This installs the add-in without leaving Word. On current versions the button sits on the Home tab; on Word 2016 and 2019 look under Insert → Get Add-ins instead.
Open Add-ins
- Open Word and select the Home tab.
- Select Add-ins towards the right of the ribbon.
- Select More Add-ins if the panel shows only recently used items.
👉 The Office Add-ins store opens inside Word.
Search for Mendeley Cite
- Type Mendeley Cite in the search box.
- Find Mendeley Cite in the results — the publisher shown should be Elsevier.
- Select Add.
👉 Installation takes a few seconds. A Mendeley Cite sidebar opens on the right when it finishes.
Check the References Tab
- Wait for the sidebar to appear.
- Select References on the ribbon.
- Look at the far right for the Mendeley Cite button.
👉 The button on the References tab means the install worked. Sign in with your Mendeley account in the sidebar to reach your library.
Mendeley Cite now sits alongside Word’s own citation tools on that tab — and if you work with source-heavy documents, the reference shortcuts in Word cover the keyboard commands for the rest of the References tab.
Method 2: How to Add Mendeley Cite in Word from the Marketplace
Use this when your ribbon has no Add-ins button. You install from the browser and Word picks it up.
Open the Marketplace Listing
- Search the Microsoft Marketplace for the Mendeley Cite listing.
- Select Get it now.
- Sign in with the same Microsoft account you use in Word.
👉 Use the account that matches your Word licence. Signing in with a personal account when Word runs on a university licence is what causes the install to complete but never appear.
Open the Add-in in Word
- Select Open in Word.
- Select Open Word if the browser asks for confirmation.
- Wait for Word to load the add-in.
- Select Accept and continue in the sidebar.
- Select Got it on the introduction panel.
Confirm Mendeley Cite Is Installed
- Select References on the ribbon.
- Look at the far right for Mendeley Cite.
- Sign in with your Mendeley account when the sidebar prompts you.
👉 Same destination as Method 1. Once the button is on the References tab, the install is permanent for that Microsoft account.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Approach | Best For | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| Method 1 — Add-ins menu | Normal installations | Home → Add-ins → search → Add |
| Method 2 — Marketplace | No Add-ins button on your ribbon | Get it now → Open in Word |
Best choice: Method 1. Method 2 is a workaround, not an upgrade — both end with the same button on the References tab.
Common Problems When Adding Mendeley Cite
There Is No Add-ins Button
Check three things in order: you are signed in to Word, your version is 2016 or later, and your licence is a full Microsoft 365 or perpetual licence rather than the free web tier. On Word 2016 and 2019 the button lives under Insert → Get Add-ins, not Home.
The Install Finished but Nothing Appeared
Close Word completely and reopen it, then check the References tab. If the button is still absent, the add-in probably installed against a different Microsoft account than the one Word is signed in with.
Your Organisation Has Disabled Add-ins
Universities and employers frequently block the Office add-in store by policy. If you are signed in, licensed and still cannot install, this is almost certainly the cause. Ask your IT administrator to allow Mendeley Cite specifically — many will approve a single named add-in even when the store stays locked.
The Sidebar Will Not Sign In
Your Mendeley account is separate from your Microsoft account. Installing the add-in does not sign you into Mendeley — you need your Mendeley credentials in the sidebar before your library appears.
Pro Tips for Adding Mendeley Cite
- Install it once per Microsoft account, not per device — it follows the account to any machine you sign in on.
- Build your Mendeley library before you start writing. An empty library makes the add-in look broken.
- Pin the sidebar open while drafting. Reopening it from the References tab for every citation wastes more time than it saves.
- Set your citation style once in the sidebar rather than reformatting the bibliography by hand afterwards.
- Learn the surrounding keyboard commands too — the Microsoft Word Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet covers the ones you will use alongside citation work.
FAQs
How do I add Mendeley Cite in Word?
To add Mendeley Cite in Word, open Home → Add-ins, search for Mendeley Cite, select Add and wait for the sidebar to appear. The button then sits on the References tab.
Where is Mendeley Cite in Word after installing?
On the References tab, towards the far right of the ribbon. Selecting it reopens the sidebar.
Why can’t I find Add-ins in Word?
On Word 2016 and 2019 it sits under Insert → Get Add-ins rather than Home. If it is missing entirely, check you are signed in and that your licence supports add-ins.
Is Mendeley Cite free?
Yes. Mendeley Cite is free from Elsevier and needs a free Mendeley account. Word itself still requires a valid licence.
Do I need a Microsoft 365 licence to install Mendeley Cite?
You need a licence that permits Office add-ins and you must be signed in. Word 2016 and later qualify; the free web tier is limited.
What should I do if my organisation has blocked Mendeley Cite?
Ask your IT administrator to allow the add-in. Many universities block the store by default but will approve Mendeley Cite when asked.
Does Mendeley Cite work on Mac and iPad?
Yes. As an Office add-in it runs on Word for Windows, Mac and iPad, and in Word on the web, provided you are signed in.
Do I need Mendeley Desktop installed as well?
No. Mendeley Cite connects to your Mendeley library directly, so it works without Mendeley Desktop or Reference Manager running.
Conclusion
To add Mendeley Cite in Word, open Home → Add-ins, search, and select Add. The Marketplace route is there for the one case that breaks it — a ribbon with no Add-ins button. Either way you finish in the same place: a Mendeley Cite button on the References tab.
If neither method works and you are signed in with a valid licence, stop troubleshooting and email your IT administrator. A blocked add-in store is not something you can fix from your own machine.
With citations handled, the next piece of a long document is its structure — see how to create automatic chapters in Word.
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