Using Zotero for Citation Management

Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research. It is available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS. Users of Zotero can save their references on their computer and sync them to the cloud for access online or from other devices, including mobile. Zotero will automatically convert references into multiple citation systems, including APA, MLA, Chicago, etc. Optional word processor plug-ins allow managing in-text citations, footnotes, and reference lists. To make the most of Zotero, users should install both the application on their computer and a browser connector to allow harvesting citations from any website.

This article covers:

Installing Zotero and Creating an Account

This five-minute video demonstrates how to install and set up Zotero: Installing Zotero 1. You can alsofollow the instructions below:

  1. Download and Install the Zotero computer application from the Downloads page of the Zotero Website
  2. Install the Zotero browser plug-in from the Downloads page. We recommend the Chrome Connector because Zotero works best with Google Chrome. Installing the Chrome connector automatically includes a Google Docs plug-in.
  3. Register for a Zotero account. You may want to use your personal emailfor this account so that you can take your account with you when you leave the university.
  4. Set up sync in the Zotero preferences in the computer application.

Known Issues with Chrome profiles

Note: If you have a Chrome browser profile setup using your St. Edwards email, you cannot install the Chrome Connector because the Chrome store is blocked. You will see a red error message that says Blocked by Admin. Instead, switch to a different Chrome profile (like one based on your personal Gmail account) to get the Chrome connector.

Setting up Sync

Set up syncing to access your citations on multiple devices and the web.

To turn on sync in the Zotero computer application:

  1. Go to"Preferences."
  2. Click"Sync" in the top menu bar.
  3. Under Data Syncing, Log into yourZotero account to link your desktop application to your web account.
  4. Click"Set up Syncing."We recommend these settings:
    1. Sync automatically
    2. Sync full-text content (which allows for better searching)
    3. File Syncing
      1. Sync file attachments
      2. Do not sync attachment files in group libraries.
      3. Note:File syncing can impact your storage, so uncheck this setting if your storage gets full.

Saving Citations

To easily save citations from the library catalog and other online sources, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Zotero computer application and ensureyou have turned on syncing.
    • Note: Zotero must be running for the browser connector to work.
  2. Navigate to the resource in Chrome (or whichever browser has the Zotero connector).
  3. Look at the upper right browser toolbar for an icon representing the "Save to Zotero" browser extension.Zotero will change the look of this icon depending on what type of source it thinks the webpage is. For example, you may see one of these five icons represent which represent respectively, a book, folder (multiple sources), webpage, newspaper article, and video.possible
  4. When you mouse over the icon you should see a pop-up box message:"Save to Zotero."
  5. ClickSave to Zoteroto save the resource. A pop-up box will appear that shows you where you are saving. Expand the box by clickingthe down arrow to choose a different folder and/or add tags.
  6. Use these images of the Zotero browser icons for reference:

Checking your Data

Zotero works best when saving references from well-organized library catalogs rather than on the open web. You should always double-check the information you captured.

  1. Open your Zotero computer application.
  2. Select your item from the list of items in your library.
  3. Look at the Info pane on the right and check that the following fields are correct: item type, title, publication, author anddate.
    • Note: You may need to look at the online resource and manually enter this information if it is not automatically harvested by Zotero.

Using your References Saved in Zotero

  1. Right (control) click on the item in your list of sources or on a folder in Zotero, and select "Create Bibliography from . . ."
  2. Choose the appropriate settings for
    1. Citation Style: e.g., American Psychological Association 7th edition
    2. Output Mode: e.g., Bibliography
    3. Output Method: Copy to Clipboard
  3. Click"OK"
  4. Paste your reference(s) wherever you plan to use it.

More resources

Was this helpful?
0 reviews
Print Article