Citation Managers: EndNote, Zotero & Mendeley

Zotero is a citation management tool that helps you import citations from the web and plugs into Word and Google Docs to insert citations as you write.

Zotero Tools

Zotero can be used solely as a web-based library but more functionalities are available with the downloadable desktop tool (Mac, Windows, and Linux). You can use both the web library and desktop library as they'll sync up.

The Zotero Connector is a browser plug-in (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, or Safari) that allows you to save whatever you come across online into your web/desktop library.

ZoteroBib is a free web-based citation tool that generates citations from URL metadata, and saves what you enter to create a bibliography. It's free!

• Zotero: Download

  Main download page for all versions of Zotero and the Zotero Connector.

• ZoteroBib citation generator

  ZoteroBib is a free citation generator from the company that created the citation management tool Zotero. ZoteroBib will generate citations from URL metadata and saves the citations to create a bibliography in the citation style of your choice.

• Zotero: Download

  Main download page for all versions of Zotero and the Zotero Connector.

• ZoteroBib citation generator

  ZoteroBib is a free citation generator from the company that created the citation management tool Zotero. ZoteroBib will generate citations from URL metadata and saves the citations to create a bibliography in the citation style of your choice.

Add-Ons and Plug-Ins

As open-source software, Zotero allows its users to create fixes and tools to improve the usability and function of the citation manager.

Plug-ins for Google Docs, Word, and LibreOffice:

• Zotero: Word Processor Plugins

  You can integrate Zotero into your word processor (Word, Google Docs, and OpenOffice) so you can use it as a citation manager in-text as well as for your bibliography. The best way to download the plug-in for Word and LibreOffice is through the desktop Zotero library, which will make sure it's the correct version for your computer.

• Move Zotero Citations Between Google Docs, Word, and LibreOffice (Zotero Blog, 2019)

  A blog post from the Zotero blog on how to move citations between word processors.

All Plug-ins

• Zotero: Plugins

  Includes user-created plugins for desktop integration, item import/export, visualization, website integration, use in other text editors including LaTeX, and more.

Changing Citation Styles in Zotero

Citation management tools all come preset with many of the major styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, AMA, etc.) but Zotero can also import new CSL files to format your citations in the style of whatever journal or publisher with whom you might be working.

The process to do so is as follows:

1. Find the style you need in one of the libraries below.
2. Download the CSL file (which stands for Citation Style Language).
3. Import it into Zotero by going to the Preferences menu (under the Gear icon in the plug-in), then to the Cite tab, and then Styles (see the image).
4. Add the style you downloaded by clicking on the + button. It will then appear in the citation style options when you export your items as a bibliography.

• CitationStyles.org

  Where the CSL language lives. An open source repository of thousands of CSL style files plus instructions on how to create and edit your own.

• Zotero Style Repository

  Thousands of styles created and deposited by users. Export new styles directly into Zotero.

• Visual CSL Editor (CitationStyles.org)

  Can't find the style that exactly matches what you need? Use the Visual CSL Editor to tweak a similar style until you get it just right.

Zotero Help Documentation & Tutorials

• Zotero FAQ

  A great place to start when you have questions about Zotero or related tools.

• Using Zotero Guide

  How to get started doing stuff with Zotero.

• Zotero Blog

  What they're up to.

• Zotero User Forums

  Ask your question here!