Skip to Main Content

Zotero: Not just a citation management tool

Use Zotero to collect, manage, cite, and share research sources for FREE!

Add Zotero to Word or Google Docs

Using Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, or Google Docs? 

Zotero's word processor integration allows you to add citations and bibliographies directly from your documents.

Plugins are available for Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. Use these tools to create dynamic bibliographies: insert a new in-text citation in your manuscript, and the bibliography will be automatically updated to include the cited item. To get started with these plugins, see the following pages.

Quick Copy

Drag and Drop to Copy

If you want to quickly add references to a document or email, Zotero's Quick Copy is the easiest way to go. Simply select items in the center column and drag them into any text field. Zotero will automatically create a formatted bibliography for you. 

To configure your Quick Copy preferences, open the Zotero preferences menu and select Export. From this tab you can do the following:

  • Set the default export format

  • Set up site-specific export settings

  • Choose whether you want Zotero to include HTML markup when copying

You can also use Quick Copy keyboard shortcuts to copy citations and bibliographies to your clipboard and then paste them into documents. Default shortcuts are Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-C (bibliography) and Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-A (citations).

Creating a Bibliography

Create a bibliography or a citation list in Zotero

  1. In the center column, highlight (right-click + Control key) the citations you want to include.

  2. Right-click the highlighted list of sources.

  3. Select "Create Bibliography from Items."

  4. Select your citation style, for example, "Modern Language Association," "Chicago Manual of Style," "American Medical Association," or "American Psychological Association."

  5. Choose the Output Method,

    • Save as RTF will allow you to save the bibliography as a rich text file

    • Save as HTML will allow you to save the bibliography as an HTML file for viewing in a web browser. This format will also embed metadata allowing other Zotero users viewing the document to capture bibliographic information.

    • Copy to Clipboard will allow you to save the bibliography to your clipboard to paste into any text field.

    • Print will send your bibliography straight to a printer.

Annotated Bibliography

Create an Annotated APA or Chicago Style Bibliography

To create an annotated bibliography you first need to download either style from the Zotero Style Repository.

  • American Psychological Association 7th edition (annotated bibliography)
  • Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition (note, annotated bibliography)
How to Annotate a Citation
  1. Open Zotero and click on Edit > Preferences, select the style from the list that ends with (annotated bibliography).

    • If you don't see the citation style that ends with annotated bibliography click on the "Get Additional Styles" links to download the style.

  2. In your Zotero Library select the item that you want to annotate.

  3. In the "Info" tab on the right-hand pane, write the annotation in the "Extra" field.

  4. Repeat this step for each item that you want to include in the annotated bibliography.