Zotero: the Basics

When you installed Zotero, it automatically installs the Add-ons for Word and LibreOffice. Also, if you installed the Zotero Connector to Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, it adds a Zotero menu to the Google Docs interface. If you are using another word processing program, review the full list of compatible plugins on the Zotero website.

Zotero must be open in a separate window for the following steps to work. You also will need to have already gathered and imported references to your Zotero Library.

Google Docs

1. In your paper on Google Docs, place your cursor where you want the in-text citation to appear.
2.  Go to "Zotero" > "Add/Edit Citation." Note: If this is your first time using this feature, it will prompt you to select the Google Account to integrate with Zotero. It will also prompt you to choose a citation style (APA, MLA, etc.)
3. Search for the desired citation using the Zotero search feature, then select the reference and hit the Return/ Enter key on your computer.
4. The citation should have been inserted into your paper. (See topic on Troubleshooting problems with Zotero, if you have issues inserting references/citations into your paper.)

For more information, visit the Zotero documentation topic on Google Docs.

MS Word/ LibreOffice

1. In your paper, place your cursor where you want the in-text citation to appear.
2. Go to "Zotero" > "Add/Edit Citation." Note: If this is your first time using this feature, it will prompt you to choose a citation style (APA, MLA, etc.)
3. Search for the desired citation using the Zotero search feature, then select the reference and hit the Return/ Enter key on your computer.
4. The citation should have been inserted into your paper. (See topic on Troubleshooting problems with Zotero, if you have issues inserting references/citations into your paper.)

For more information, visit the Zotero documentation topic on Microsoft Word or LibreOffice.

To add a Bibliography or Works Cited list to your paper, follow these set of steps below.

1. In your paper, place your cursor where you want the reference list (bibliography, works cited list) to go.
2. Go to "Zotero" > Add/Edit Bibliography. Note: if nothing happens after pressing the "Add/Edit Bibliography" button, select the "Refresh" button.
3. All existing in-text citations will be used to create the bibliography. Future citations added to your paper will automatically be added to the list. (See topic on Troubleshooting problems with Zotero, if you have issues inserting additional references/citations into your paper.)