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Zotero

Use Zotero to add, manage, share and sync your references, and insert and manage citations in Word.

Why use Zotero?

Zotero is a free, open-source tool that creates, stores and manages references and bibliographies. Zotero is principally a desktop application with a cloud-based version that enables syncing of your library.

Zotero allows you to:

  • Add online articles or webpages using the Zotero Connector
  • Add references using identifiers like ISBN or DOI
  • Create references from PDF files
  • Import references from online search tools (e.g. LibrarySearch, Google Scholar)
  • Manually add references
  • Insert references into documents using Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, or Google Docs
  • Attach full-text PDF files to references
  • Organise references into collections
  • Share your library/collections with other users

Zotero desktop

  • Comprehensive software for Windows, Mac, or Linux
  • Full functionality and unlimited storage for attached files
  • Can be used without a Zotero online account

Zotero.org account

  • Cloud-based version of Zotero
  • Limited functionality with free storage up to 300MB
  • Useful in conjunction with Zotero desktop for syncing and accessing your library from anywhere

Not sure if Zotero is right for you?

Choosing a reference manager

A module that will help you decide which tool to use to organise your references. It explores the features of three popular reference managers: Endnote, Zotero, and Mendeley.

Common features of reference managers

Some common features of reference managers include:

  • Save references from LibrarySearch, Databases and Google Scholar
  • Auto-generate citations and bibliographies in word processing applications
  • Attach and annotate PDFs and other files 
  • Share collections of references with others
  • Available in a desktop version and an online version
  • Sync your references across multiple devices

Changing reference managers

EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley make it easy to change to another reference manager. Note: While citations will be copied, PDFs of articles may not be exported.

Learn more about reference managers

Installing and support

Installing program

Zotero Connector

The Zotero Connector is a browser extension compatible with Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Edge. It allows you to add articles or webpages to your Zotero library. You can download it from the Zotero download page. After downloading, it's recommended to disable proxy settings for compatibility with OpenAthens authentication.

  1. In your browser of choice, navigate to the Zotero Connector settings.
  2. Select the Proxies tab.
  3. In the Configured Proxies list, if you have any old URLs containing "ezproxy" in them please remove these by selecting and clicking on the "-" (minus) button at the bottom of the list.
  4. Uncheck the tickbox next to Enable proxy redirection.

Support

Related guides