Using Zotero with Microsoft Word
The options may look slightly different from the example images depending on your operating system or version of Word.
Make sure Zotero is running, and open your Word document.
Click on Zotero on the main menu bar.
Navigate to the location of your citation in the text - the citation will be placed exactly where your cursor is, so be careful!
Click on the "Add/Edit Citation" button - see the pictures on this page for examples on Mac or Windows. Your first citation will launch the options box for the document, which can be accessed later as well with the "document preferences" button.
Start typing the information for your citation in the red box - Zotero will search for your item in your library while you type. You can type the author, title, or any other information that is saved in your Zotero library. Choose the item you are citing.
Add any other information to your citation - by clicking on the citation in the red Zotero box you can add dates, page numbers, or notes to your citation. You can also add multiple citations at once by searching for another item in your Zotero library. Once you have finished, hit enter to add the citation.
Add your bibliography - Add a page break to the document and click on the Zotero "Add/Edit Bibliography" option. Zotero will automatically add any citation you have inserted or insert from now on to your bibliography, including keeping it in alphabetical order. You can add your bibliography at any time during your writing process.
Using Zotero with Google Docs
Using Zotero with Google Docs is very similar to using it with Microsoft Word. The necessary Google Docs plugin will be automatically installed when you install the Zotero browser connector. Like Word, a tab will appear for Zotero. The options may look slightly different from these examples depending on your web browser.
Navigate to the location of your citation - the citation will be placed exactly where your cursor is, so be careful!
Click on the "Add/Edit Citation" button - see the pictures on this page for examples on Chrome. You can insert a citation via the Zotero dropdown menu or by clicking the small Zotero "Z" found in between your font options and hyperlink insertion option. Your first citation will prompt Zotero to "update your document", which may take a moment. After this is done Zotero will launch the options box for the document, which can be accessed later as well by choosing "Document preferences" in that same dropdown menu.
Start typing the information for your citation in the red box - Zotero will search for your item in your library while you type. You can type the author, title, or any other information that is saved in your Zotero library. Choose the item you are citing.
Add any other information to your citation - by clicking on the citation in the red Zotero box you can add dates, page numbers, or notes to your citation. You can also add multiple citations at once by searching for another item in your Zotero library. Once you have finished, hit enter to add the citation.
Add your bibliography - Add a page break to the document and click on the Zotero "Add/Edit Bibliography" option. Zotero will automatically add any citation you have inserted or insert from now on to your bibliography, including keeping it in alphabetical order. You can add your bibliography at any time during your writing process.
Using Zotero with Unsupported Word Processors or Text Editors
Open your Zotero Library - go to the options menu and choose the citation style you are using for your paper.
Select a reference - hold down the shift key and drag it into your document at the location you would like to insert a citation. Do this for each item you would like to cite.
Return to your Zotero Library - then highlight all references that you want to include in a bibliography.
Select the option "Create Bibliography from Items..." - a new window will launch where you can choose your citation style (MLA, Chicago, etc.).
Choose the option "Copy to Clipboard" - your bibliography will be ready to copy to your document.
Paste your bibliography - be sure to review and edit the bibliography for any spacing, readability, and formatting issues. Zotero is great, but not perfect!