Citation Management : Zotero

Add References

There are many ways you can add citations to your Zotero library. For the options listed below, always make sure you have the Zotero application open on your computer before you start searching.

How to add citations with the Zotero Connector plugin

• Install the Zotero Connector
• Conduct a search and click on the Zotero icon in your browser toolbar (it will be a book icon, a folder icon, or a paper icon)
• Item will be saved immediately in your Zotero library. Drag the reference to the appropriate Zotero folder

How to export citations from a database

• Conduct a search and export a citation or a group of citations
• Your export will download as a .ris file, and will automatically import into Zotero

How to enter citations manually (as a last resort)

• Click on the green plus icon on the Zotero Tool Bar
• Select material type (i.e.: book, book chapter, etc.)
• Enter information about the item in the pane that appears on the right

Write a Paper

• Install the Zotero Word Plug-In
• Open Word. The Zotero tool bar will be under Add-ins (PC) or View toolbars (Mac)
• Place your cursor in your document where you would like the citation to go
• Choose your citation style (MLA, APA, etc.)
• A Zotero library search box will appear
• Search for your saved citation and select return
• To insert the bibliography into the paper, select Insert bibliography

Create a Bibliography

• Highlight one or more references in your Zotero library
• Right click (PC) or control-click (Mac) and select Create Bibliography from Selected Item(s)
• Select a citation style (MLA, APA, etc.) and an output format (.txt, .doc, etc.)

When you open Google Docs in a browser that has a Zotero Connector installed, you will see a Zotero option added to your menu.

How to add a citation to your Google Doc

1. Choose Add/edit citation from the menu. If you don't already have Zotero running on your computer, you will be prompted to do so.

2. Next, you will be prompted to choose your citation style from a pop-up dialog box

3. When you're ready to save or publish your Google Doc, go to:

• File → Make a copy…
• in the new document, use Zotero > Unlink Citations to convert the citations and bibliography to plain text.

Note: If someone views your active Google Doc without having the Zotero Connector installed they can still read and/or edit, but active citations will show up as links leading to URLs.

More documentation on Zotero in Google Docs.