I have discovered a potential bug/error in EndNote 20.0.1.
In styles that have programming limiting the number of authors that should be displayed in the reference list, the number shown becomes wrong.
In Vancouver, the rule is: If 7 or more authors, list 6 and add et. Al. But after the latest update of EndNote 21 (21.0.1.), the program displays 7 authors when a source has 7 authors (it should be 6 and et al.). If the source has 8 authors, it works correctly and displaying 6 and et al. (see attached figure).
The same happens with other styles with similar author limitation (but with different max number of author names).
I have tested this on several computers with EN 21.0.1. (Including one Mac).
This error is not present in EndNote 20.0.0.
This is a problematic error that should be fixed asap.
EndNote Support has confirmed this error and they are working on a fix in a future patch update. The temporary solution is to reduce the max number of authors with one in involved styles (e.g. for Vancouver: If 6 or more authors, list 6 and et al.).
I had previously reported a similar issue with APA 7th style, interesting to hear it is affecting other styles as well! I agree this should be fixed asap.
@parabuthus that’s useful to know that EndNote Support is investigating. I was disappointed not to hear a response from Clarivate on my ticket so I’m pleased to hear they are working on this, this is a significant issue and the workaround is likely to cause confusion for a lot of our users! Would be good to have an estimated timescale of when the patch update is likely to be released.
I have EndNote 21.2 now and this problem is still not solved! It is even worse. I want a style where the rule is: 4 or more authors, show first 3 and then et al. This doesn’t work. If is it four author, all four will be shown. If I try to cheat by changing the rule to: If 3 or more authors, show first 3 …, I still get four authors (I also tried 2 authors, but it will still show four). If a reference has five or more authors, it work as supposed by showing three and et al.
Has anyone any information about this bug and when it will be fixed?
Hello, I am also confused by this problem.
Actually, this is not a bug. Because “et al.” mean “and others”. Note it is plural. If you set the rule as:
4 or more authors, show first 3 and then et al. So et al. means only one author. This is an error. Endnote 21 will correct it and show all 4 authors.
I hope Endnote can give this decision to customer self.
21.3 was released today. My initial testing indicates that the bug giving wrong number of authors seems to be fixed. Let me know if any of you still has a problem with this after updating.
I have 21.4 now and it seems that the error with correct number of authors when using styles like APA is still present. The rule is “If three or more authors, show first author and et al.”, but all authors are shown regardless of number. Can you confirm that you also have this error and which version you are using! Thanks! Jan Ove
