Zotero for Citation Management

Table of Contents:

Citations

Zotero was first created to ensure correct citation in documents. Through the Word processor plug-in installed during the Installation and Setup section of this guide, in-text citations now require mere seconds to create.

1. Create an In-Text Citation

• By installing the Zotero Word Processor plug-in, Microsoft Word and Google Docs will provide a new, Zotero tab within their displays. With this tab, your documents are linked directly to your Zotero library, from which you can transport citations.

2. Bibliographies

• Zotero automatically creates bibliographies out of the sources placed in your document. Additionally, bibliographies can be generated from within your Zotero library when there are no citations within your document.

A. Method 1: Create a bibliography within a word processor

B. Method 2: Generate a bibliography from your Zotero library

3. Additional Citation Styles

• Zotero automatically provides a default list of citation styles to choose from. However, thousands more are available within Zotero's citation library.

Create an In-Text Citation

To generate in-text citations, one must first install the Zotero Word Processor Plug-In, instructions for which can be found here.

Once installed, a Zotero tab will appear within the task bar of Microsoft Word and/or Google Docs:

Create In-Text Citations in 5 Steps:

1. Place your cursor in the desired area of your paper.

2.  Click on the Zotero tab at the top of your paper.

3. Click Add/Edit Citation. 

4. Choose your citation style from the box shown below, and then select "OK." 

5. After selecting a citation style, articles saved to Zotero will appear. Click the article you need and then select OK.

• The menu should look similar to the one below:

Bibliographies

Method 1: Create a bibliography within a word processor

Method 2: Generate a bibliography from your Zotero library

Once a Zotero citation is created within your document, a bibliography can be created with the single click of a button. Or, a bibliography can be generated from within Zotero without an existing citation in your document. Read below for instructions regarding both methods.

Method 1: Create a bibliography within a word processor

a. Place your cursor in the desired bibliography location.

b. Click the Zotero tab at the top of your Word Processor.

• For the purpose of this guide, Microsoft Word will be used as a visual example.

c. Within the Zotero tab, select the "Add/Edit Bibliography" icon in the upper left-hand corner.

d. Your bibliography will automatically include all sources that have been cited within your paper.

Method 2: Generate a bibliography from your Zotero library

a. Select the reference within your Zotero library that you desire a bibliography from.

b. Right-click and select "Create Bibliography from Items..."

c. Select citation style (1), select output method and mode (2), and then click "OK" (3).

Additional Citation Styles

While Zotero provides a default list of citation styles, thousands more are available. The steps below explain how to find and use these additional styles.

1. Open the "Cite" page in Zotero Preferences.

a. From the Zotero homepage, select the "Edit" tab.

b. Select "Preferences" from the drop-down "Edit" menu.

c. Click on "Cite" from the "Zotero Preferences" window.

2. Select "Get Additional Styles..."

3. Search for desired citation style in Zotero Style Repository.

4. Select desired citation style by clicking on its name. The style will automatically upload to your default list in Zotero.