Zotero can take the references in your library and insert them as citations in your Word document and generate a reference list in a variety of referencing styles. You can also use Zotero with Google Docs, but the instructions below are for Microsoft Word.
Zotero should automatically appear in Word once you’ve downloaded the application from Zotero.org.
If you’re not seeing it, close Word and follow these steps in the Zotero app:
- Edit
- Settings
- Cite
- Scroll down to Word Processors
- Click ‘install Microsoft Word add-in’
- Close and re-start Word
You should now see a new Zotero tab at the top of your Word document.
In Word:
- Place your cursor where you want a citation to appear
- Click on Add/Edit Citation in the Zotero tab
- The first time you use this a pop-up may prompt you to choose which referencing style you are using. You can also change the style through the desktop app by clicking on the Edit tab, selecting Preferences, choosing the Cite tab and selecting the one you one from the list or looking for additional styles through Get more styles
- After clicking on Add/Edit Citation a search field will appear and you can search for the details of the reference you want, before you select the correct reference from the list provided and press Return on your keyboard
- When you have finished adding citations, place your cursor where you’d like your reference list to appear and click on Add/Edit Bibliography. This will generate a reference list in your selected style
