INSTALL & CREATE ACCOUNT
- Go to the Zotero Download page.
- Install Zotero(for Windows, Mac, or Linux). This also installs the Word plugin.
- Install the Zotero Connector for your browser(s).
We recommend Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, not Safari.
2. Verify installation
- Open the Zotero application.
- Open Word and verify that Zotero shows up as a tab in the Ribbon.
- Open your browser and look for the Connector icon in the upper right with your other add ons.
If you don't see these tools, visit our Troubleshoot page.
3. Create a free Zotero.org account
An account is not required, however, having one enables you to:
- Add items to your library from any computer or mobile device
- Sync with your Zotero desktop application, so you can then add citations in Word
- Keep 300 MB of storage free (with an option to purchase additional storage)
- Create Groups and collaborate with other Zotero users in shared libraries
To create an account:
- Go to zotero.org > Log In > Register for a free account
- Create your own password. It is not associated with your KAIPTC credentials.
Things you can do with your online account:
- Edit the citation
- Create Collections
- Reorganize
- Export
- Add notes
- Upload attachments
Things you can't do:
- Cite in and sync with your Word document. That has to be done with the desktop app.
OPTIONAL
Add additional email address as backup
Add an additional email address so you can continue access if your original email account becomes inactive.
If you used your KAIPTC email originally to sign up, you can easily switch to your personal email account as primary after you leave KAIPTC.
Plugins
Recommended plugins
-
ZoteroPreview
Adds a Preview tab to the right pane so you can see what the citation will look like with one click.
ZoteroPreview. How to install
Go to GitHub and download the .xpi file
In Zotero
- Go to Tools > Add-ons
If the pop up looks blank, resize it by using your cursor to drag the side edge in or out.
- Click the gear icon and select Install Add-on from File
- Navigate to the downloaded file > Double click to open
- Click the link to restart Zotero now
- After installing and restarting:
- Highlight an item
- Click the Preview tab that should now appear in the right pane
- Click the "Choose Preview Style" button at the bottom of the pane
- Select your citation style
SET BASIC PREFERENCES
1. Syncing
3. Classic Add Citation Dialog
4. Allow for inclusion of database name
OPTIONAL
Windows vs. Mac Preferences
Windows | Mac |
Edit > Preferences |
Zotero > Preferences |
1. Syncing
While Zotero stores all data locally on your computer by default, Syncing allows you work with your data from any computer with the Zotero application installed, and access your online library (zotero.org) on any computer with Internet access. it also allows for up to date sharing within group libraries.
Syncing has two parts: Data Syncing and File Syncing.
Data syncing
Merges library items, notes, links, tags, etc.—everything except attachment files. Data syncing is free, has no storage limit, and can be used without file syncing.
- Make sure you already have a free Zotero.org account
- Open your Zotero desktop
- Go to Preferences > Sync tab
- Enter your Username and Password
- Choose what and when you want syncing to happen
File Syncing
Syncs attached files (PDFs, audio and video files, images, etc.). Files will use some of your storage.
(You can link to files, but they will not be synced.)
Match these settings:
2. Select your citation style
If your citation style is: | Select this style in Zotero |
---|---|
APA | American Psychological Association 7th edition |
Chicago Author-Date | Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition (author-date) |
Chicago Notes / Bibliography | Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition (full note) |
IEEE | IEEE (with URL) |
INFORMS | Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences |
AMS | American Meteorological Society |
ASME (Mechanical Engineers) | American Society of Mechanical Engineers |
To search for and add a style:
- Go to Preferences > Cite > Get additional style
- Search for the style name
- Click on the name > OK
You're only going to be using one citation style, so removing styles you aren't using will save you time.
To remove a style:
- Go to Preferences > Cite
- Highlight the style(s) you don't need
- Click the minus button
3. Classic Add Citations Dialog
Use the Classic Add Citations dialog
- Cite tab
- Word Processors tab
- Check mark "Use classic Add Citation dialog"
4. Allow for inclusion of library commercial database name
A DOI is always preferred and sometimes available for items from library commercial databases. But if it isn't available, you can use the name of the database instead.
To enable that feature:
- Go to Preferences > Cite tab
- Check the box under "Citation Options"
This allows the name of the database to appear in your citation.
OPTIONAL
Adjust font size
To make the font size larger on your Zotero desktop interface
Go to View > Font Size