I cannot open a RIS file. What should I do? Help!
Virtually anyone has encountered some problems with opening unknown files while working on a computer. It can be very frustrating. Yet such problems, not only with RIS files, can be addressed in a standard way. Follow the steps below and we can guarantee that your problem with opening RIS will be resolved!
RIS File Extension
- File type Research Information Systems Citation Format
- File developer Research Information Systems
- File category Text Files
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File popularity rating
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What is a(n) RIS file?
The .RIS format is used by digital libraries to maintain common standards for storing citation information, including, in addition to the actual text, data on publication title, author, release date, publisher, keywords and pages where the citation occurs. Any text editor is enough to open the file.
How to open RIS file?
If given user account does not have necessary permissions to open files with RIS extension, it is highly probable that no program that supports given files is installed on the users’ system. Below is a list of actions user should pursue in order to resolve most common problems.
Step 1. Download and install application that supports RIS files
After the application has been installed, the system should automatically open RIS files with given application. Below is the list of relevant programs along with operating systems they are available for:
Programs that support RIS files
Step 2. Verify whether RIS files are associated with appropriate software
It is possible that an application that supports RIS files is not associated with such files. In such case, the program should by manually associated with RIS files (right-click on the file icon → Properties → General Tab → In submenu "Open with" and click on "Change" button. System will display a list of suggested programs that support RIS files. Choose the application by checking the box "Always use the selected application to open this kind of files". System will store this information in its registry and use it to open RIS files with the selected program.
Changing RIS file association in registry
File association for RIS files can be edited manually by editing appropriate entry in Windows System Registry. However, it is discouraged as it may introduce errors to registry if not done properly and may even damage the system.
Step 3. Check RIS file for other errors
- RIS file was not copied properly from storage medium.
- Antivirus application prevents opening RIS files. In that case it is recommended to exercise extreme caution and recover or delete infected RIS file. It is also advised to scan the entire system for malicious software and viruses with antivirus software.
- For RIS files downloaded from the internet it is advised to check if the file has been downloaded completely and is not corrupted. If not, the file should be re-downloaded.
