Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Q: What is Elumity and how does it differ from other research tools? A: Elumity is an integrated academic productivity platform that connects document management, knowledge creation, reference management, and academic writing in one unified workflow. Unlike traditional tools that require switching between separate applications, Elumity maintains relationships between your research materials, extracted insights, and final outputs throughout your entire academic process.
Q: Who should use Elumity? A: Elumity is designed for researchers, medical professionals, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and anyone engaged in serious academic work that involves reading research literature, managing citations, and producing scholarly writing.
Q: How do I get started with Elumity? A: Create an account at elumity.com, set up your first private space, and begin by uploading a few research documents or importing references. The platform is designed to grow with your research needs, so you can start simple and expand your usage over time.
Core Features
Q: What are Knowledge Cards and why should I use them? A: Knowledge Cards are Elumity's signature feature for transforming research materials into organized, searchable insights. They allow you to extract key information from PDFs while reading, enhance it with AI assistance, and maintain connections to source materials. Cards bridge the gap between passive reading and active knowledge creation.
Q: Can I create academic papers directly in Elumity? A: Yes, the Write module provides a comprehensive academic writing environment with integrated access to your research materials and automatic citation formatting. You can write everything from course papers to dissertations while maintaining direct connections to your source materials and Knowledge Cards.
Q: How does reference management work in Elumity? A: Elumity includes professional reference management with access to over 10,000 citation styles, direct integration with academic databases like OpenAlex and PubMed, and seamless connection between your citations and actual document files. References flow automatically between all modules.
Document and Library Management
Q: What file types can I upload to Elumity? A: Elumity supports PDFs, Microsoft Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, images, and videos. You can also convert web pages directly into PDFs for permanent archival using the web import feature.
Q: How do I organize my research materials effectively? A: Use Spaces to separate major research areas or projects, and create folders within spaces for more specific organization. Develop consistent naming conventions and use the tagging system to make materials easily searchable over time.
Q: Can I import references from other reference managers? A: Yes, Elumity supports import from BibTeX and RIS formats commonly used by other reference managers like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote.
Collaboration and Sharing
Q: How does collaboration work in Elumity? A: Create Group Spaces for collaborative research projects where team members can share documents, references, Knowledge Cards, and writing projects. You can also share individual items between spaces and publish Knowledge Cards to the community Discover platform.
Q: Can I work with people who don't use Elumity? A: Yes, you can export your work in standard formats (PDF, Word, BibTeX) for sharing with non-Elumity users. You can also invite collaborators to join Elumity through group space invitations.
Q: What is the Discover platform? A: Discover is Elumity's community knowledge sharing platform where researchers publish Knowledge Cards publicly, enabling academic knowledge exchange and professional networking beyond immediate collaborators.
AI and Advanced Features
Q: How does AI assistance work in Elumity? A: Elumity's AI helps improve your writing through grammar correction, style enhancement, translation, length adjustment, and custom queries. The AI supports your existing ideas rather than generating content, maintaining academic integrity while improving expression.
Q: Should I disclose AI usage in my academic work? A: Check your institution's policies regarding AI assistance. Some institutions require disclosure even when AI is used only for writing improvement rather than content generation. The intellectual work and arguments should remain entirely your own.
Technical and Account Issues
Q: How do I change my subscription plan? A: Access subscription management through your user settings to upgrade from Free to Advanced or Professional plans, or to modify your current subscription based on changing research needs.
Q: How do I back up my research data? A: Use the backup feature in user settings to export your complete library as a ZIP file. Regular backups protect your research investment and ensure data portability if you change institutions.
Q: What happens if I need to delete my account? A: Account deletion is permanent and irreversible. All your data will be lost and cannot be recovered. Make sure to download backups of important work before deleting your account.
Q: Why can't I find a specific citation style I need? A: Elumity includes over 10,000 citation styles, but if you need a specific format that's not available, contact support. You can also create custom references manually for unique citation requirements.
Mobile and Web Extension
Q: Is there a mobile app for Elumity? A: Yes, Elumity offers mobile apps for iOS and Android that sync with the web platform, enabling access to your research materials and workspace from anywhere.
Q: How does the browser extension work? A: The Elumity browser extension allows direct import of references and documents from academic databases and websites. Install it through your browser's extension store and use it to streamline research discovery into organized library building.
Data and Privacy
Q: Is my research data secure in Elumity? A: Elumity follows industry-standard security practices to protect your academic work. Your data remains private and is not shared without your consent. Regular backups help ensure your research investment is protected.
Q: Can I export my data if I need to leave Elumity? A: Yes, Elumity supports data portability through comprehensive backup and export features. You can export references in standard formats and download your complete library to ensure your research work isn't locked into any single platform.
Performance and Limits
Q: Are there limits on how much I can store in Elumity? A: Storage limits vary by subscription plan. Monitor your usage through user settings and consider upgrading your plan or organizing your library more efficiently if you approach limits.
Q: What should I do if Elumity seems slow or unresponsive? A: Try refreshing your browser, clearing browser cache, or closing other bandwidth-intensive applications. For persistent issues, contact support with details about your browser and operating system.
Integration and Compatibility
Q: Does Elumity work with institutional systems? A: Elumity's export capabilities and standard file format support enable integration with most institutional requirements. Check with your institution's IT department about any specific compatibility requirements.
Q: Can I use Elumity alongside other research tools? A: Yes, Elumity's import and export capabilities make it compatible with most academic workflows. Many users find Elumity gradually replaces multiple separate tools as they discover its integrated capabilities.
Getting Help
Q: Where can I find more detailed help with specific features? A: This Help Hub contains comprehensive guides for all Elumity features. Start with the Getting Started section and explore feature-specific documentation as your usage develops.
Q: How do I contact support for issues not covered here? A: Contact Elumity support through the feedback option in the platform's help menu, or reach out via the contact information provided on the Elumity website.
Q: Are there video tutorials or training materials available? A: Check the Help Hub and Elumity website for the most current training resources. The platform is designed to be intuitive, with help mode and tooltips available throughout the interface.