Zotero is a freely available desktop-based reference manager and can be used on Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
There is also an online version of Zotero, which you can set up to sync with your desktop version of Zotero and access your library of references from anywhere. The online version also lets you create groups, share references and back up your files.
An iOS app is in beta testing and there are third party apps available for iOS and Android.
This page guides you through Zotero's key features, system requirements, installation and further support with Zotero.
Zotero has a range of features to help you collect, organise and cite your references.
Zotero is a desktop-based reference manager but has an online element, which syncs with your desktop library. Using the online element is useful if you would like to:
Zotero can be used on Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
To cite the references in your Zotero library, you need to use a word processor plugin. A plugin is available for Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, LibreOffice and Google Docs.
For detailed system requirements, visit the web page below:
To use the official iOS app in beta testing or third party app solutions, visit the web page below for further information.
Zotero Standalone is the software you install on your computer that facilitates the collection, storage and management of your references in a library. Visit the link below to install Zotero on your computer:
Creating an online account with Zotero allows you to:
To create an online account, visit the web page below and click 'Register for a free account':
The online account can be used for free with 300 megabytes of storage. You can purchase more storage if necessary. The free version of Zotero is usually sufficient for storing references in your online Zotero library, but storing PDF files in your online account uses a lot of space. So that you do not need to pay for extra storage, we recommend disabling the sync of PDF files from your desktop to your online Zotero library. To do this:
To explore increasing your storage, visit the web page below:
The Zotero Connector is a web browser plugin that detects references on a web page and allows you to add references to Zotero Standalone quickly and easily. The plugin is available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Edge.
The Zotero Connector also facilitates the use of the word processor plugin for Google Docs (more details below in the Word processor section).
To install the Zotero Connector, visit the web page below:
The word processor plugin enables you to cite references from your Zotero library into your word processed document. To add the plugin to Microsoft Word, LibreOffice or OpenOffice:
To add the plugin to Google Docs, you need to have installed the Zotero Connector (details above in the section 'Zotero Connector'). To use the plugin in Google Docs, follow the instructions at the web page below:
There are a number of third party iOS and Android app solutions, as well as an official iOS app that is in beta testing.
You can also access and manage your online Zotero library on your device's web browser without the need for an app. To add references from your device's web browser to your online Zotero library, you will need to use the Bookmarklet.
Visit the web page below for information on how to install the apps and use Zotero on a mobile device:
There are a variety of ways to add references to your Zotero library:
Take a look at our workshop handouts for instructions on how to add references to your Zotero library:
To see upcoming training and handouts, webinar recordings and PowerPoint presentations on how to use RefWorks, visit our workshops page:
For help with Zotero please email reference-management@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
Below are links to further help from Zotero.