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Zotero

Information on using this free citation management tool to help you save and organize citations and automatically create formatted bibliographies.

Zotero Key Features

Zotero logo

Zotero is a free, open source application that helps you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research. 

  • Automatically extract citation information from websites, library catalogs, databases, and more.
  • Save PDF files, images, screenshots, and other files.
  • Record your research notes.
  • Automatically create formatted bibliographies in many different styles.
  • Use Zotero with word processing programs like Microsoft Word.
  • Sync the citations and files you save online.
  • Access your saved information from anywhere.
  • Share your saved information online with groups.
  • Use Zotero -- an open source tool -- for free.

View Zotero video tutorials

View Zotero how-to documentation

To get Started                        

Go to http://www.zotero.org/ and click on the red Download button.

 

Zotero Installation Instructions

To install Zotero on your personal computer or laptop and create your online account for syncing:

1) Visit https://www.zotero.org/download.  Download and install Zotero 7 for your operating system (Mac or Windows or Linux) on your laptop.  Also install the Zotero Connector for your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari).

 

Zotero download page. Shows a button to download the app for Macs and a button to download Zotero Connector to Chrome.

 

2) Click Register in the top right of the zotero.org page to create a free online Zotero account for syncing online.

 

3)  Installing Zotero should also install a Word add-in that lets you integrate Zotero with MS Word.  When you open Word, you should see a Zotero tab in the ribbon, or a Zotero toolbar on older versions of Word. 

 

The toolbar in microsoft word. Has a Zotero tab with options to Add/Edit Citations, Add/Edit Bilbliography, and Add Note.

 

If you do not see this, or if you ever need to reinstall the Word add-in, go to Zotero>Settings(Mac), or Edit>Settings(Windows), go to the Cite tab, click on Word Processors, and click on Install (or Reinstall) Microsoft Word Add-in.

 

The Zotero Settings Cite tab. At the bottom there are buttons to Reinstallt the Microsoft Word Add-in and Install the LibreOffice Add-in

 

4)  To set up syncing between your local Zotero library and you online Zotero account, open your local Zotero Settings again, go to the Sync tab, and enter your account information.  You can also choose whether to sync automatically, and whether or not you wish to sync full text PDFs.

THe Zotero Settings Sync tab. Has a Data Syncing section that is already logged into an account.

 

5)  Zotero comes with a handful of popular citation styles installed.  To add additional styles, go to Settings again, pick the Cite tab.  Then click on Get additional styles... and find the style you need by searching in the large list of styles presented, and then click it to add the style you want.

 

The Zotero Settings Cite tab. At the top there is a Style Manager with a bunch of citations styles listed. Under the list is a link to Get additional styles.

Last Updated: Feb 26, 2025 8:38 AM
Subjects: How-to