To use Zotero most efficiently, you need to create a free Zotero account and install two programs on your computer: 1) The Zotero application and 2) the Zotero browser connector. With a Zotero account, you can access your Zotero library from other computers and share items using the Groups feature.
Follow the steps below to get Zotero up and running.
Installation Steps
1. Download the Zotero application to your computer: first, open the Zotero download page, then select your operating system (Windows or Mac) and click the blue download button. Next, open the installation file you just downloaded (.dmg file for Mac OS and .exe for Windows OS) and follow the prompts.
2. Download the Zotero browser connector: return to the Zotero download page and select the browser you will be using. Then, click the install connector button and follow the prompts.
3. Create a free Zotero account: from the Zotero download page or Zotero.org, click Log-In. Next, click Register for a free account, and then follow the prompts.
4. If you are not prompted, be sure to enter your Zotero account login information in the Zotero application that you installed on your computer. This is essential if you want to add citations and bibliographies to a paper in Google Docs. To do this, open the Zotero application, then in the Zotero application, select Settings/Preferences (on a Mac, first click Zotero, at the top of your screen to the left of File, and then you should see Settings/Preferences), then click the Sync Tab, and then enter in your username and password for your Zotero account).
In order to share Zotero libraries with other students and access your library from another computer connected to the internet, you'll need to use the syncing feature. Zotero automatically saves items from your Zotero library to your computer and only your computer. Once you've enabled synching, items, notes, links and tags in your Zotero library on your own computer are available online when you login to your Zotero account from another computer.
To enable syncing, you will need to link your Zotero account with the Zotero application on your computer:
You can find more information on synching in the Zotero Help Documentation on Synching
Adding items to Zotero
There are two ways to add the citation of a source that you have found in a database or elsewhere on the internet to your Zotero library:
Option 1: Add using the Zotero browser connector by clicking the browser extension icon
Option 2: Add using the library database's export function, which will appear in the database as a button labeled Export, Send To, or Cite (depending on the database)
File format: When exporting, you will be prompted to select file format. Choose the RIS file format.
For more information on adding specific types of sources and multiple sources at the same time, please see the Zotero documentation on Adding Items to Zotero.
Adding and editing in-text citations to your paper
Steps to add in-text citations from your Zotero library to your paper in Word of Google Docs
Editing in-text citations
After you've added at least one in-text citation to your paper from your Zotero library, you can create a bibliography in any citation style (i.e. APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) that automatically updates whenever you add in-text citations to your paper. Follow the instructions below.
Steps for Creating a Bibliography in Zotero
1. Open the Zotero application on your computer
2. Open the paper you are writing that you will be adding a bibliography to in either Microsoft Word or Google Docs
3. Type the heading for your bibliography (i.e. "Bibliography," Works Cited," or "Reference List", depending on your assignment instructions and the citation style you are using) and then position your cursor below this heading (click or hit the Enter key).
4. Next, click Zotero in the Tool Bar at the top of the window, and then click Add/Edit Bibliography. A bibliography that includes all of the in-text citations you added from your Zotero library to your paper will appear. You can keep adding in-text citations to your paper and your bibliography will automatically update if your settings are configured correctly.
There are a number of ways to keep your research materials organized. Here, we feature a few of our favorites.
Decide which research management tool would work best for you by comparing their basic features and functions below.
Have questions? Ask a librarian!
Introduction |
Zotero is an easy to use application for organizing your research materials, sharing them with collaborators, and citing them in a wide range of citation styles. |
RefWorks is a tool for storing and sharing your research materials, and citing them in commonly-used citation styles. To set up an account, use your Macalester email address. |
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Getting started | https://www.zotero.org/download/ | https://refworks.proquest.com/ |
Accessibility | Zotero | RefWorks |
Versions | Web-based & desktop | Web-based |
Desktop platforms |
Windows, Mac, Linux |
N/A |
Web browsers |
Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari |
Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari |
Cost & Storage | Basic account free with 300MB cloud storage | Free thanks to Institutional subscription with unlimited cloud storage |
Word processor integration |
Plugins for Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice are automatically installed on your computer when you first start Zotero. |
|
Built-in PDF annotation | Yes | Yes |
Option to share and collaborate | Yes | Yes |