Zotero is an open source citation manager that describes itself as a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it integrates with Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs; supports thousands of citation styles; flags retracted items; and more.
Zotero has very robust documentation. If you don't find what you need on this quick guide, be sure to check the official documentation. If you would like one-on-one assistance, you can schedule an appointment to meet with me.
Zotero consists of the Zotero program itself, a Connector that allows Zotero to connect with your browser of choice, plus optional third-party plugins. Start by downloading and installing Zotero and the connector for the browser you use most often: Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
If you wish to sync your reference data to your library on Zotero.org, or if you will be using your library on more than one computer, you will also need to register for a Zotero account to enable data syncing. This is free and includes unlimited storage for references, plus the option to enable file storage for PDFs and other attachments. (300 MB of file storage is free, with more available for purchase.)
Once you have installed Zotero and your Connector of choice and have set up your Zotero account, navigate to the Preferences tab in Zotero and enter your login information to enable data syncing. Now you're ready to start collecting references!
If you installed the Zotero Connector for your browser, Zotero can automatically detect reference information on websites you visit. The icon for the Connector should appear somewhere in the toolbar of your chosen browser, and will change form depending on what Zotero is currently detecting. For example, a typical webpage will produce a page icon, while a page of Quick Search results will produce a folder icon.
To add a reference to Zotero:
If you are using many search tools, including Google Scholar and the ISU Library's Quick Search, Zotero can detect information about multiple resources at once.
If you are using Quick Search:
If you are switching from another citation manager to Zotero, or have selected multiple references in a database:
If you wish to add a large number of citations to Zotero from a database, such as Google Scholar or one of the Library's subscription databases, you may want to batch export the items you want from the database and import that file into Zotero rather than using the Zotero connector. Most databases allow for citation information to be exported in a .RIS file, which can easily be imported into Zotero using steps 2-4 above.
If you wish to extract bibliographic information from a PDF:
To add a note to a reference:
One of Zotero's most useful features is its ability to generate dynamic bibliographies within word processing documents. Changes and additions (including switching to a new citation style) are reflected at the click of a button, making it much easier to manage references in a document.
Start by installing the plugin for your word processor of choice. An official Zotero plugin is available for Word and LibreOffice, but users have developed additional plugins that enable you to use Zotero with LaTeX ,Google Docs, and other commonly used writing software.
Zotero needs to be running for the plugins to work properly. The Word/LibreOffice plugin will create a Zotero tab in your word processor, from which you can add citations, generate a bibliography, choose a citation style, etc. Other plugins may work very differently.
This will unlink your citations from Zotero and remove the field codes. This may be helpful if you are getting unexpected outputs in your final documents. However, unlinking is permanent (you cannot easily re-link to make changes or updates), so proceed with care!
Installing the Zotero Connector for Chrome and Firefox also installs a plugin for Google Docs. This creates a Zotero tab in your Google Doc and allows you to search and use your citations, and will add a bibliography to your document, among other features.
This means that you and a team can collaborate using a shared Zotero library and a shared Google Doc. (You and each member of your team will still need to download and install Zotero, not just the browser connector, for this to work.)
There are 2 ways to create a group with Zotero:
New Library...
icon and choose New Group...
(this will take you to Zotero.org)Groups
page, then choose Create New Group
Groups can have a variety of privacy settings, and enable you to share references with a select group of people or the world.
In order to use groups within Zotero, data syncing must be enabled. When syncing is enabled, group libraries will appear in the left pane and can be used in exactly the same way as the personal library.
Groups may use file storage to store and share files among members... however, this counts against the group owner's 300 MB file storage limit. Zotero's recommended workaround for this is to create a separate account for the group leader role.
To add members to a group:
Groups
and create a new group if you do not have one alreadyManage Members
Send More Invitations