Zotero offers word processing plugins for Word and LibreOffice. The plugin adds a Zotero toolbar to your word processor that allows you to add citations to your document while you write, and it automatically installs with Zotero if you have Word or LibreOffice on your computer.
Zotero also offers a plugin for Google Docs that comes pre-installed with your browser connector. With the most recent version of Zotero, you can switch word processors and move citations between Google Docs and Word.
To add a citation, click the first button ("Add/Edit Citation") on the toolbar. Search for the reference you want to cite and press Enter. Zotero will add the citation at your cursor.
At the end of your paper, click the "Add/Edit Bibliography" button. Your bibliography will appear, and new citations will be added automatically. Change bibliographic styles with the "Document Preferences" button.
The toolbar looks different on different operating systems and versions of Word. Mousing over the toolbar will pop up each button's function if they're not clearly labeled.
It's easy to create a bibliography from your Zotero library.
Select the references or collections you want to include. Hold the control key and click to select multiple items. Right-click one of the selected items and choose Create Bibliography.
Choose the bibliographic style you want, select Copy to Clipboard, click OK and paste into your word processor. This method works with any word processor (or anywhere you can paste text).
Don't feel like installing any software? Just need to create a bibliography right now, on the fly? ZoteroBib is for you.
Simply copy identifying information about your source (such as an ISBN, DOI, or even a URL) into ZoteroBib to build your bibliography source by source. Then, when you are done, select a citation style and export to an RTF or HTML file, or to your clipboard for pasting into a document.
Zotero comes with the most common bibliographic styles, but many more are available to download.
To install a style from the web:
There are currently 2 annotated styles available from the Zotero Style Repository: Chicago and APA.
Learn how to make annotated bibliographies using Zotero by watching this brief video tutorial:
Use of RIT resources is reserved for current RIT students, faculty
and staff for academic and teaching purposes only.
Please contact your librarian with any questions.
