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Zotero User Guide

Open Source Citation Management Tool

How to Set Up Zotero

Account Registration:

This step sets up your account. You will be able to sync and access your library from anywhere, and it lets you join groups and back up all your attached files.

  1. Go to Zotero.org
    • Select register
    • Fill out the registration form
    • Authenticate your account via your email
    • ​If you want to use Zotero after graduation, you may want to register with a personal email account
Download Zotero to Desktop:

For the full Zotero experience, install the Zotero desktop app, which allows you to organize your references efficiently, insert citations automatically into Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs, and much more.

  1. Select the Download Zotero 7 button at Zotero.org/download/
    • The site will automatically detect your operating system (Win, Mac, Linux*) and browser.
  2. Open the downloaded Zotero file (.exe or .dmg).
  3. Follow the prompts to install Zotero on your desktop.
    • Zotero and an MS Word add-in will be installed
Install Zotero Connector:

The Zotero Connector automatically senses content as you browse the web and allows you to save items/ most webpages to Zotero with a single click.

         1. Select "Install Chrome Connector" or select Zotero Connectors for other browsers for Firefox, or Safari or Edge connector.

Zotero 5.0 and Zotero Connector download screen

         2. Open Zotero on your desktop

         3.  Sync Zotero to your account 

  • In your Zotero library, select Zotero-->Preferences-->Sync (Mac); Edit-->Preferences-->Sync (Windows)

                  A screenshot of the Zotero preferences screen

  • Enter your account information
  • Click Set up Syncing
  • Click the Green sync button in the upper-right hand corner to manually sync

               A screenshot of the green Zotero synch button

    4. Start adding sources!

Connecting to APU to get Fulltext

To increase success with Zotero's in getting fulltext:

  • Go to Edit -> Preferences -> General
  • Then under "Locate" select North America, then Azusa Pacific University.

Install Zoplicate Plugin

This plugin works with the new version of Zotero version 7

Go to https://github.com/ChenglongMa/zoplicate/releases/tag/3.0.8

Click on zoplicate.xpi.

In Zotero, go to "Tools" and then "plugins." Then click on the tool/gear/setting icon in the upper right corner. Then click on "Install plugins from file." Once you install it, you should see "bulk merge all duplicate items" when you click on the duplicates folder.

After you have it installed you have to go to edit, settings, and zoplicate. Under master select "most detailed".

Instructions on how to use zoplicate can be found on https://github.com/ChenglongMa/zoplicate, then scroll down.

Zotero Basic Layout

Zotero is laid out in three columns/ panels with the toolbar on the top.

  • Left column: Organization - My Library, along with folders you create - by subject, item type, idea, etc.
  • Center column: The list of items in My Library (all references) or the references in the folders you created
  • Right column: Detailed information about a specific reference you selected in the center column