Zotero Citation Manager

Zotero offers several ways to generate bibliographies—both with and without using Word or Google Docs plugins.

💡 Tip: For help using Zotero with Word or Google Docs, see the Using Write and Cite with Zotero tab.

There are two ways to quickly create bibliographies using Zotero desktop.

Before you begin:
Make sure your default citation style is set under Edit > Settings > Export (PC) or Zotero > Settings > Export (Mac). For help, visit the Selecting Zotero Settings tab.
 

✅ Option 1: Right-Click Method

For individual items:

1. Open Zotero and select the items you want.

2. Right-click and choose "Create Bibliography from Item..."
   

3. In the pop-up window:

   • Select Citation Style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago)

   • Choose Output Mode:

     • Bibliography for a list of references

     • Citations for in-text citation format

   • Choose Output Method:

     • Save as RTF (Rich Text File)

     • Save as HTML (for webpages)

     • Copy to Clipboard (for pasting into a document)

     • Print

4. Click OK to generate your bibliography.

For entire collections:

• In the left pane, right-click a collection folder and choose "Create Bibliography from Collection..."

• Follow steps 3 and 4 above.

✅ Option 2: Quick Copy (Drag & Drop or Keyboard Shortcut)

Drag & Drop:

1. Select items in your Zotero library.

2. Drag them into a text field (e.g., a Word doc or email).

3. Zotero will format the citations automatically.

Keyboard Shortcut:

1. Select the items.

2. Press:

   • Ctrl + Shift + C (Windows) or

   • Cmd + Shift + C (Mac)

     to copy a formatted bibliography.

3. Paste it into your document.

🔁 To copy in-text citations instead, use:

• Ctrl + Shift + A (Windows)

• Cmd + Shift + A (Mac)

Zotero supports annotated bibliographies using special citation styles and notes added to the Extra field.

Step 1: Install an Annotated Bibliography Citation Style.

1. Open Zotero.

2. Go to:

   • Edit > Settings > Cite (Windows), or

   • Zotero > Settings > Cite (Mac)

3. Click "Get additional styles..."

4. In the search box, type “annotated.”

5. Install a style such as:

   • APA 7th edition (annotated bibliography)

   • Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition (note, annotated bibliography)

Step 2: Add Annotations to the "Extra"Field

1. In Zotero, select an item.

2. In the right-hand pane, scroll to the Extra field.
   
   

3. Remove any existing content, then type or paste your annotation.

Step 3: Generate the Annotated Bibliography

1. Select the items to include.

2. Right-click and choose "Create Bibliography from Selected Item(s)..."

3. Each citation will appear with its corresponding annotation below it.

4. In the dialog box:

   • Choose your annotated citation style.

   • Choose your output method (RTF, HTML, Clipboard).

5. Click OK, then paste the output into your document.

Each citation will appear with its corresponding annotation below it.

•  Zotero has a detailed guide: Creating Bibliographies