Library Portal

RefWorks is a web-based citation management tool that helps you store, organize, share, and format references. This tool is essential for staff members that publish, perform research, or need to manage article citations. 

Sign up or log in: RefWorks  

The BC Cancer library purchases a license for RefWorks in order to make it free to all BC Cancer staff.

RefWorks Tips

• Refworks Support via chat. If you are working from home, use the Refworks Support chat to solve problems such as importing documents or working with Shared folders.
• LearningHub online course: Refworks Overview. Get a demonstration of the key Refworks features whenever and wherever is convenient for you.  
• Single email, multiple accounts? Use 'Projects' to separate your activities and collaborate more efficiently.

Why did we choose Refworks?

• Most of your references are imported, not typed in, reducing mistakes. 
• Cloud access without downloads. Updates are instant, online.
• Best platform for sharing amongst a team
• Seamless onsite / offsite use anywhere,
• Citation style formatting has been highly accurate.
• Custom formats can be set up. 

Other citation managers are available, but the Library may not be able to support them.

1. At https://refworks.proquest.com, click on the "Create Account" link.

2. Enter your BC Cancer, BCGSC, or BCCRC email address and click "Check."

3. You will receive a "success" message and you will be asked to create a password. Your institutional email becomes your login name.

4. An activation email will be sent and you'll need to validate your account to continue.

5. Once you click on the link in the activation email, you are directed back to RefWorks to enter your name, role and regional affiliation.  You'll also be asked if you'd like to install the "Save to RefWorks" browser bookmarklet tool (a great way to capture data from web pages!) and if you'd like to install one of the article writing apps (RCM for Word or RefWorks Add-on for Google Docs). 

6. You'll be brought directly into your new account and are ready to begin adding to your collection!

Note: For users whose primary network account is not in the @bccancer.bc.ca domain, access to the RCM plug-in may not be available (2024). Please contact the BC Cancer Library if you need to consult on formatting your documents.

RCM (Refworks Citation Manager) 

RCM was added to MS Word for all BC Cancer users, in 2024.  This handy tool allows authors to insert citations as they are writing, and generate a bibliography right in Word!

Updates & Alerts

• Choose wisely - you may see multiple RefWorks/RCM add-ins in your Word ribbon bar. Right click there to "Customize ribbon bar" and un-check both RefWorks and RefWorks - RCM.  You only need the "RCM" option.   
• Opening an old Word document? See the RCM guide for tips on converting to RCM from previous citation manager tools.
• Some documents may fail to upgrade because citations were inserted by a different Write-n-Cite user, e.g. a previous research assistant or former BC Cancer staff. Please contact RefWorks support for help upgrading such documents.