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Zotero Citation Software

guide to using the free Zotero citation and research management program

Creating Quick Bibliographies

It's easy to create a bibliography from your Zotero library.

Select the references or collections you want to include. Hold the control key and click to select multiple items. Right-click one of the selected items and choose Create Bibliography.

Choose the bibliographic style you want, select Copy to Clipboard, click OK and paste into your word processor.

image showing how to right-click on a collection to create a bibliogaphy

This method works with any word processor (or anywhere you can paste text).

Creating Your Bibliography While You Write

Zotero offers add-ins for Word and OpenOffice. The add-in installs  a Zotero toolbar to your word processor that allows you to add citations to your document while you write. Note: If you do not see the Zotero menu in your word processor, you can install the add-in by going to Zotero >> Preferences >> Cite >> Word Processors and then click the Install button.

To add a citation, click the first button ("Insert Citation") on the toolbar. Search for the reference you want to cite and press Enter. Zotero will add the citation at your cursor.

At the end of your paper, click the third button ("Insert Bibliography"). Your bibliography will appear, and new citations will be added automatically. Change bibliographic styles with the last button on the toolbar ("Set Doc Prefs").

Note: The Zotero menu, in your word processor, my look like the image below or be listed under Zotero.  

image showing how to insert a Zotero plugin icons in Microsoft Word

Adding Additional Styles to Zotero

Zotero comes with the most common bibliographic styles, but many more are available to download.

To install a style in Zotero:
  1. Go to the Zotero program. Select Preferences >> Cite >> Styles.  
  2. Click on link Get Additional Styles.
  3. Search for the name of the style you need.
  4. Click on the link for the style. It should now appear in your Style Manager window in Zotero.

Creating Bibliographies Video