Introduction to Zotero

In this tutorial, we'll introduce you to Zotero, a free software application that helps you:

  • keep track of your information while you search,
  • create citations while you write,
  • and generate a formatted bibliography in seconds.

It works with , , , , and more!

Let's get started!

Navigating this Tutorial

This is no average slideshow. You can click, swipe or use arrow keys to move around. Here are some tips on navigating the tutorial:

means you can get more in depth information about a topic.

takes you to the next step in the tutorial.

allows you to skip forward to the information you need.

Sounds good! Take me to the tutorial.

Choosing Your Starting Point

Which path suits you?

I'm ready to download Zotero!

I already have Zotero... tell me how to use it.

I don't know what Zotero is, tell me more.

Quick Video Tour of Zotero's Key Features

: Zotero Videos

I'm ready to download Zotero!

Setting up Zotero Standalone

  1. Create your free Zotero account.
  2. Download and install Zotero Standalone.
  3. Add your username and password to Zotero Standalone to sync your account.
  4. Add the browser extensions for your favorite browsers.

I'm ready to start saving sources.

Check out detailed instructions for each of the steps listed above.

Create your free Zotero account at https://www.zotero.org/user/register.

: LMU Library

Download and Install Zotero Standalone.

Download and Install Zotero Standalone at https://www.zotero.org/download/ and Sync Your Account.

: LMU Library

Add your browser extensions.

Add the browser extensions for your favorite browsers at https://www.zotero.org/download/.

: LMU Library

I'm ready to start saving sources!

Saving Sources

What kind of materials are you primarily going to be working with?

Going to be using all of them? Feel free to navigate down to experience all four.

Saving Books

How to cite: Books | Articles | Websites and more

I'm ready to organize my sources.

Saving Articles

How to cite: Books | Articles | Websites and more

I'm ready to organize my sources.

Saving Websites

How to cite: Books | Articles | Websites and more

I'm ready to organize my sources.

Organizing Sources

  1. Click the new collection icon in the upper left hand corner.
  2. Give your new collection a name.
  3. To add subcollections, right-click your collection folder and select "New Subcollection."
  4. You can organize the items in your Zotero library by dragging and dropping them into collection folders.
To create a new folder, click the new folder icon in the upper left hand corner and name the new folder. To add subcollections to the new folder, right click the folder in the left panel and click New subcollection. You can organize the items in your Zotero library by dragging and dropping them into their respective folders. To further organize your items, you can sort by title or author by clicking the arrow next to the Title or Creator heading in your library.

I'm ready to create bibliographies.

Creating Your Bibliography

  1. Select the sources you would like to include in your bibliography by holding down the control key and clicking on each one.
  2. Right-click your selection and select "Create Bibliography."
  3. Pick your citation format, select "Bibliography" as the output mode and "Copy to clipboard" as the output method.
  4. Paste the bibliography into your document!
Select the sources you wish to create a bibliography for by holding down control and clicking on each one. Right click your selection and select create bibliography. Pick your citation format and select bibliography as the output mode and copy to clipboard as the output method. Paste into a text editor or straight into your document

Cool, got it. What else can Zotero do?

Our Favorite Zotero Tips

Check out the tips below or skip ahead to finish the tutorial!

Ready to start using Zotero? Let us know your feedback on this tutorial!

Check out a few more Zotero tips and tricks.

Taking Notes

  1. Click on the note icon in the top menu bar and select "New Standalone Note."
  2. Write your note in the text entry panel.
Click on the note icon in the top menu bar and select new standalone note. Write your note in the text entry panel.

I'm done here!

Show me how to import PDFs.

Importing PDFs

  1. Drag a PDF file from your computer into Zotero's window to add it to your Zotero folders.
  2. Right click on the PDF and select Retrieve Metadata from the drop down menu.
Drag pdf file from your computer into Zotero's window to add to your Zotero folders. Right-click on the pdf and select Retrieve Metadata from the drop down menu.

I'm all set with Zotero and ready to give feedback on what I've learned!

You made it! Please take this survey: