Zotero allows you to create simple bibliographies or works cited pages, footnotes and endnotes, or in-text citations in a number of citation styles.
The default installation of Zotero includes popular styles such as Chicago, MLA, APA, and more.
Creating Quick Bibliographies
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 the output format: Save as RTF or HTML, copy to clipboard or print. (The RTF file format is compatible with all word processors.)
Or you can just drag and drop references from Zotero into your document! They’ll turn into fully formatted citations. This works with any word processor including Google Docs. Change the default style under Preferences on the “gear” menu.
Even Quicker: Drag and Drop
A quick way to add references or a bibliography to your paper is to drag and drop any item from the center Zotero pane into your paper.
To do so, you should first set up your citation preferences by clicking on the options button (gear icon) then choosing Preferences and then Export.
Once you have set up your preferences, you can drag any items in the center Zotero pane to create notes or bibliographies.
Microsoft Word Integration
About Word Processor Plugins – See: Using Zotero with Word and Google Docs
Using the Word Processor Plugins in Word
To add a citation, position your cursor where you want the note to go and click the first button on the Zotero tab (“Insert / Edit Citation”).
Choosing a Citation Style
The first time you use Zotero on a document, you will be asked to choose a citation style.
Choosing a Citation from Your Library
The default citation insert method is a search bar. Choose Classic View instead if you prefer a hierarchical browse option.
Select the reference you want to cite and click OK. Zotero will add the citation at your cursor.
Adding a Works Cited List or Bibliography
At the end of your paper, click the third button (Add/Edit Bibliography”). Your bibliography will appear, and new citations will be added automatically.
Annotated Bibliographies
Step 1: Download and Install the Appropriate Style
Zotero supports annotated bibliographies in 2 styles BUT YOU CAN ONLY USE CHICAGO FOR THIS CLASS:
- American Psychological Association 6th edition (annotated bibliography with abstract)
- Chicago Manual of Style 16th edition (note, annotated bibliography)
To use these styles, you must first download them from the Zotero Style Repository. Click the links to install.
Step 2: Annotate your References
Gather the references into a folder / collection and add annotations by using the Extra: field.
Step 3: Select the Items for your Bibliography
Right-click on the folder / collection name and choose Create a Bibliography from Collection.
You can also select specific items in a folder / collection to create a bibliography from with Create a Bibliography from Items.
Step 4: Select a Bibliography Format.
Choose Chicago or APA annotated styles (the styles you istalled in step 1). Be sure to choose the Bibliography output mode. For us in MS Word or other word processors, you will want to use the RTF output option.
Your bibliography should output with annotations.