Zotero
A Bellevue University Library Guide
What is Zotero?
Zotero is a citation generator and storage program that features plug-ins for your browser and word processor, making transferring and creating citations and references simple and quick. Zotero can be used to create citations and references in any style, including APA, MLA, Harvard, and more.
When to use:
Zotero can be used to generate citations and references directly from online sources including articles, ebooks, websites, and resources from the library’s catalog. After installing and creating an account, grabbing citations from resources is as easy as clicking a button.
How to use:
Visit the Zotero website and download the software to your desktop. For best results, follow the prompts to create an account and install the Zotero plug-in for your browser of choice. Additionally, installing the plug-in for your word processor (like Microsoft Word) allows for additional features of Zotero to be used.
After installing the desktop software and browser plug-in, open the program on your desktop. You can then import references by clicking the Zotero plug-in in your browser while viewing a resource. This will save the resource and all accompanying reference information in Zotero. Additionally, doing this while viewing a downloadable pdf will save the document in Zotero for later viewing. After the reference is saved in Zotero, you have to option to edit the information if necessary.
To export a citation or reference to your word document, you will need to set the citation style you want to use. For PC, go to Edit -> Settings -> Export, and select the style in the Item Format menu. After selecting your preferred style, you can simply drag the document into your word document. You can select multiple resources by holding the ctrl key while selecting, then drag all into your word document.
Citations and bibliographies can also be created directly in Microsoft Word after installing the Zotero plug-in. After opening the desktop program, select the Zotero option in the top command bar, select your citation style in “Document Preferences,” then add your citation or bibliography with the button that applies. Selecting the Add/Edit option will bring up a menu to add resources from Zotero. The simple version will allow you to choose from selected documents in Zotero, search for resources, or select from all documents in the Classic View by selecting that option under the Z on the left of the search bar.
For any assistance or help with Zotero, you can email us at bellevue@library.edu, call us at 402.293.2000, or use our 24/7 chat found in the box on the right side of this page.
