Skip to Main Content

Zotero at Temple

guide for installing, setting up, using Zotero and getting help

Setting up Zotero

Below are five desktop installation and set-up steps to get started for Zotero 6 and Zotero 7 on a Windows or Mac desktop.  If you have problems, get more information at Zotero Documentation or Ask a Librarian.

  1. Download the Zotero program and browser connectors for all your browsers and enable or activate the Zotero connector extension. Check Systems requirements before downloading.
  2. Create a free account to create a web library, sync file and create and share group libraries.
  3. Make sure Word Add-in is installed, select a default citation style, and citation dialog
  4. Add the OpenURL to connect to Temple libraries resources (recommended)
  5. Sync your library data (recommended) and library files (optional) to the Zotero Web library.

You can also view step-by-step installation and settings videos below.

For Chromebooks, visit Install Zotero on a Chromebook

Zotero can also be downloaded as an iOS app for iPhone and iPad.  There is also a beta Zotero Android app.  For mobile installation, visit https://www.zotero.org/support/mobile.

Note that you can only use Chrome extensions and themes on computers. You cannot install extensions and themes when you're using a mobile device, even if you set it in desktop mode. 

If you're unable to install an extension in your browser, you can save webpages or identifiers to your library from the save page or with the magic wand button from your web library (must be logged in to do this).

Step 1. Download and install Zotero and browser connectors

The Zotero Connector is a browser extension that works with Firefox, Chrome, Edge and Safari to import content from the Web.

  • Make sure Microsoft Word is closed.
  • Install Zotero to your computer.  This will create your local Zotero library.
     
  • Install Zotero Connector to all browsers that you use. Important: Use the browser to download the connector for that browser.
     
    • For Safari, even though it is automatically installed with the program, you need to activate the extension in Safari.

      Activate Safari Zotero Extension
       
    • The Zotero connector works best with Chrome, Firefox or Edge.  Check that the Zotero Connector extension is enabled.

      Zotero toggled on in Firefox Extension

      zotero firefox extension toggled on

      Zotero Connector in Edge Extensions

    • If the eye has a line, click on the eye and select "Show in toolbar."

      Zotero Edge Extension
       

    • Zotero Extension pinned in Chrome
      Zotero connector pinned on in chrome

  • Check your installation.  You should see the Zotero icon (with a red Z) on your computer and a Zotero icon in the browser toolbar. 
     
    • The browser icon may look like a page, newspaper, or folder depending on the webpage you are on.

zotero connector in chrome

Zotero Connection in Firefox
Zotero connector in Firefox browser
 

Set Zotero Connector Preferences to Automatically Download Full Text (optional)

  1. Go to Zotero Connector Preferences.
  2. Under Save to Zotero.org, check "Automatically download associated PDFs and other files when saving items"
  3. The Zotero Connector will now download records plus PDFs.

Zotero Connector Preferences

Step 2. Create a Zotero account

Register for a free online account
Registration allows you to:

  • Create an online web library
  • Sync your Zotero library on your local device to the Zotero cloud server (website) and sync citations across multiple computers.
  • Create and share group libraries and join groups

You can use any email and password, and might consider using one to which you have post-graduation or long-term access.  You can also add a backup email.

Step 3. Set up word processor plugin and preferences

Zotero works with Google Docs, Microsoft Word (Word) and LibreOffice to insert in-text citations and create bibliographies. The plugin should install with the Zotero software and browser extension.  To check this and set preferences, open Zotero on your computer and follow these steps:

  1. Open Preferences or Settings
  • For Windows, Preferences (Zotero 6) or Settings (Zotero 7) is the last item under the Edit tab.

Windows Preferences selected

  • For MacOS, Preferences or Settings is under the Zotero tab.

MAC zotero with Preferenes selected

  1. For Zotero 6

  • Go to the Cite tab.  Select the World Processors tab.  Select Resinstall Microsoft Word Add-in to make sure it was reinstalled. 

Zotero Preferences ribbon with General, Sync, Search, Export, Cite and Advanced tabs.

  • Check Use Classic Add Citation Dialog. (this opens the full view rather than a quick view).
  • Click OK.
  • Select the Styles tab.
  • Select a style (such as American Psychological Association 7th edition or Modern Language Association) as your default style. This can be changed later and for each document.
  • Check the box "Include URLs of paper articles in references".
  • Click OK.

  1. For Zotero 7

  • Click on Cite

Zotero 7 Setting cite

  • Select a style (such as American Psychological Association 7th edition or Modern Language Association) as your default style. This can be changed later and for each document.
     
  • Check the box "Include URLs of paper articles in references"
     
  • Scroll down toward the bottom to "World Processors" Select  Install Microsoft Word Add-om or  Resinstall Microsoft Word Add-in to make sure it was reinstalled.
    Zotero 7 install Word
     
  • At the very bottom, check Use Classic Add Citation Dialog. (this opens the full view rather than a quick view)
    Zotero 7 classic view

 More information on Word Processor Plugins.

Step 4:  Link Zotero to Temple Libraries (recommended)

Set Up OpenURL for Linking

You can select the Temple University OpenURL or another library that you have access to. This allows you to access and download available full-text.

Step 5.  Sync your library online and across devices (optional)

About Syncing

By default, Zotero stores all data locally on your computer, so storage is unlimited or up to your device capacity. 

Setting up Zotero syncing allows you to store what is on your device to Zotero.org cloud storage. This allows you to access the same content among all your devices, share your Zotero files in group libraries, and access files from your online library on Zotero.org.

Zotero syncing has two parts: Data syncing and file syncing. 

  1. Data syncing stores bibliographic data about the source, such as title, author, year.  Cloud storage for this metadata is free and unlimited.
     
  2. File syncing stores everything else, including PDF, notes, and web snap shots. Files cloud storage with Zotero is free up to 300 MB.  If you need more cloud storage, you can:
  • set not to download PDF
  • pay for more space.
  • store the files with another cloud service, such as OneDrive and Google Drive.

Steps for syncing

  1. Open Preferences or Settings
  • For Windows, Preferences (Zotero 6) or Settings (Zotero 7) is the last item under the Edit tab.
  • For MacOS, Preferences or Settings is under the Zotero tab.
  1. Go to Sync tab. (It is next to the General tab)
  2. Under the heading Data Syncing there are two boxes  enter the username and password that you used to create the Zotero account
    Zotero 7 Sync
    Zotero 7 sync user name and password boxes
  • Enter your username in the first box
  • Enter your password in the second box
  1. Click Set up Syncing.  The Settings tab will appear with your user name shown under Data Syncing.
     
  2. If you are starting out, we recommend you leave the default settings with all boxes checked.  These can be changed later.
  • Under Data Syncing: Sync automatically and Sync full-text content are checked.
  • Under File Syncing:
    • Sync attachment files in group libraries with Zotero storage selected is checked.
    • Download files is set to at sync time
    • Sync attachment files in group libraries with Zotero storage selected is checked.
    • Download files is set to at sync time
Zotero 6 (Windows) Sync options

Settings tab configured

Zotero 7 (Windows) Sync options

Zotero 7 Settings Synce

  • Option: If you have limited hard drive or cloud storage, you could set the two dropdowns under File Syncing to "download files as needed."

More information on Sync your Zotero Account.

Get help

Step-by-Step Zotero Installation Video

Installing Zotero 7 for Windows

  • Installing Zotero 7 will replace an older version that you may have but will not affect your data. Free Zotero cloud storage for files (PDF, snapshots, and other files) is 300 MB and unlimited for the bibliographic metadata. 
  • You can download to your own cloud service account, and use a third-party plug-in, such as Zotfile (Zotero 6 compatible) or Zotmoov (Zotero 7 compatible) to link files with your Zotero library.
  • You can store an unlimited number of files on your device, depending on your own storage capacity.

Installing Zotero 7 for Mac OC

If you already have Zotero installed, you will have the option of replacing or having both the older version and Zotero 7.  You can switch back and forth without affecting your Zotero data.

Setting up Zotero 7

The video demo shows settings using a Mac OS.  For Windows, Settings is the last menu item under the File Tab. Other than that, the steps are the same.

Access and Set Zotero Connector preferences

  • Firefox: Right-click on the Zotero save button (or icon, that when you hover over it, it will show "Save to Zotero") and choose Preferences
  • Chrome: Right-click on the Zotero save button and choose Options
  • Safari: Right-click on the page background and choose “Zotero Preferences”
  • Edge: Right-click on the Zotero save button and choose "Extension Options"

More information on Zotero Connector preferences. 

Troubleshooting for Chrome

Chrome extensions cannot be used on a mobile device.

You can only use Chrome extensions and themes on computers. You cannot install extensions and themes when you're using a mobile device, even if you set it in desktop mode. 

If you're unable to install an extension in your browser, you can save webpages or identifiers to your library from the save page or with the magic wand button from your web library (must be logged in to do this).

If you can't see the Zotero icon in Chrome, do this:

  1. Click on Extensions (the jigsaw puzzle looking piece icon) in your Chrome toolbar. 
  2. Click on the pushpin icon next to "Zotero Connector" to pin the Zotero icon to the toolbar.

chrome zotero connector

When you do not see or have the Zotero Connector extension

If you don't see the Zotero Connector extension listed when clicking on the jigsaw icon,  check if you have installed the Zotero Connector

  1. Click on the jigsaw icon again, select "Manage Extensions."
  2. Look for the Zotero Connector or use search to find it.
    • Toggle the extension slider to the on position; it should turn blue. You may now have to repeat the steps with the jigsaw icon listed above. 
    • If you frequently use incognito mode in Chrome, also click on the "Details" for the extension and toggle "Allow in Incognito" to on on the next screen. 

If you don't see the Zotero Connector in your list of extensions at all, you will need to reinstall it: 

  1. Go to zotero.org/download. 
  2. Click on "Install Chrome Connector" on the right. This will direct you to the Zotero Connector page on the Chrome Web Store. 
  3. Click "Add to Chrome." 
  4. Confirm any popups. 
  5. Follow the instructions for pinning the Zotero icon to the Chrome toolbar above. 

If none of this works, Ask a Librarian for troubleshooting assistance. 

Activate Extension in Safari

The Zotero Connector for Safari is bundled with the Zotero application, so you do not need to install the Zotero Connector extension separately. 

It is NOT automatically activated in Safari. Activate with these steps: 

  1. Open Safari. 
  2. From the Safari menu, go to Preferences. 
  3. Select the Extensions tab. 
  4. In the list on the left, check the checkbox next to the Zotero Connector. 
  5. The Zotero icon should now display next to the URL box (usually to the left of it). 

File handling and automatic PDF download settings

Under General settings, file handling by default is set to automatically download PDF and other files. You can uncheck this and other settings.

Zotero 6 File Handling

Zotero general settings window

Zotero 7 File Handling

Zotero 7 Settings General

Cloud Storage Options

Zotero online file storage allows you to synchronize PDFs, images, web snapshots, and other files among all your devices, share your Zotero attachments in group libraries, and access files via your online library on zotero.org.

The cloud storage for data (library items, notes, links, tags, and other non-attached items) is unlimited.

As explained in "Step 5.  Sync your library online and across devices (optional)", Zotero free cloud storage for files is 300 MB (about 100 PDFs). If you exceed this amount, additional files will not sync from your device to the online library. Nor can you share files from a group library that you create.

You can store an unlimited number of files on your device, depending on your own storage capacity.

Three options for working with cloud storage

  1. You can download to your own cloud service account, and use a third-party plug-in, such as Zotfile (Zotero 6 compatible) or ZotMoov (Zotero 7 compatible) to link files with your Zotero library.
  2. Disable automatic download and selectively sync files. (see "Step 5.  Sync your library online and across devices (optional)" above)
  3. Buy more cloud storage from Zotero.

Copying quick and one-time citations