Add items
The Zotero Browser Connector
The Zotero Connector is the most convenient and reliable way to add items to your library. However, the quality of the resulting citation depends on the accuracy and completeness of the metadata provided by the source. Garbage in, garbage out.
- Open your Zotero program.
- Highlight the folder in your library where you want to put the item.
- Click the button in the browser to import it.
The icon will look different depending on the item (journal article, webpage, PDF, etc.) as shown below.
Don't worry if it doesn't match exactly the item type you're importing. In the end, what matters is the metadata itself -- completeness and accuracy.
Journal Article | Book | Webpage | Multiple Items | |
---|---|---|---|---|
From the Library Search
It's easy to add items you find in the Library Search!
- Click the Connector
- Although you can export a page of results at once, we recommend doing one item at a time.
If there is a Full Text Availability link to an article database, try going to the database first, and use the Connector there to see if it will automatically export the PDF as well.
From a Research Database Like ProQuest
- Click the Connector
- Although you can export a page of results at once, we recommend doing one item at a time.
- If the full text PDF shows as available, oftentimes the PDF will export along with the citation.
RIS Export Method if the Connector doesn't work
- Open your Zotero program
- Highlight the Collection you want to add the item to
- In the database, after selecting the item you want to cite, look for a button that says Export or Save/Export or similar
- Select RIS or BibTex
- Export
- If the file won't open, check your pop-up blocker
- If you're not prompted, you can import or drag your saved RIS file into Zotero.
- The PDF will not be saved with the item, but you can drag it on top of the item. It will appear under the item as an attachment.
From Google Scholar
Use the Connector
Add PDFs
Drag and drop the PDF into the center pane.
Not all PDFs come with metadata. For example, a scanned PDF from your course site likely does not have metadata.
We recommend you try to find that article in the Library Search, a database, or Google Scholar -- some source that would likely provide you with the metadata
Only upload publicly releasable items to Zotero.
If there is no Info Tab with metadata:
- Right click on the highlighted PDF
- Click on Retrieve Metadata for PDF
If you don't get the Retrieval Complete window, you'll be prompted to install the PDF Tool. Proceed through the pop up windows: Open Preferences > Check for installer > Install
It that doesn't work, you need to create a Parent Item (a record) to use for citing in Word.
- Right click
- Select Create Parent Item
- Now you have an item record and an Info Tab where you can add the citation information
If you already have the Parent Item, and you want to attach a PDF to it:
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Drag and drop the PDF on top of the parent item or
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Right click on the item > Add Attachment
(You can also use the paperclip icon)
Some students use ZotFile to manage their PDFs.
Webpages
Use the Connector
Identifiers (ISBN or DOI)
Most commercially published books and journal articles have a standard unique identification number (ISBN for books, DOI for articles, ebooks, datasets, etc.).
To import using the ISBN or DOI, click on the magic wand and enter the number.
Other places to look for items
For books, try:
For articles/reports, try:
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Library SearchArticles, books, theses, journals, and other materials the library owns, subscribes to, or can get access to
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Google ScholarYou can also use the Locate Menu function.
Manual Entry
Sometimes it may be easier and more accurate to add an item manually.
- In Zotero desktop, click the "New Item" button.
- Select the appropriate source type from the drop-down menu.
- Add the citation information in the right hand pane.