Zotero

Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research. It's available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. With a Zotero.org account, you can access your library from any browser and collaborate with others.

NEW in summer 2024! Zotero 7 has been released. Read more about the new features and how to upgrade to Zotero 7.  (As always, you can upgrade for free! Zotero is open-source software and is free to all.)

Before you begin: If you have Microsoft Word or LibreOffice open on your computer, we recommend you quit them before attempting to install Zotero.

1. Download and install Zotero for Windows, Mac, or Linux. This installs both the Zotero application and the word processor plugin for Microsoft Word or LibreOffice.

2. Install the Zotero Connector for your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). The plugin for Google Docs is built in to the Zotero Connector.  (If you have trouble, see our advice for troubleshooting the Zotero Connector).

3. Register for a Zotero.org account. After you register, Zotero will send a confirmation email to the address provided. Open the email and click the link to confirm your registration.

4. In the Zotero app's Settings, go to the sync menu and set it to sync to your new Zotero.org account. 

5. Learn more about Word Processor Integrations for Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs to make the most of Zotero's citation functionality.

Zotero can help you to create citations, footnotes, and bibliographies in Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. Learn more about Zotero's word processor integrations, including troubleshooting.

• Microsoft Word:  Current Brandeis students, faculty, and staff can download Microsoft Office for free.  For the best experience with Zotero, we recommend ensuring that your copy of Microsoft Word is up to date.  For help installing or updating Microsoft Word, contact the Technology Help Desk.
• LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite that anyone can download and use.
• Google Docs can be accessed in Google Drive with your Brandeis login.

Using a Chromebook or mobile device instead of a laptop? Committed to a browser that doesn't have a Zotero Connector? See our guide to using Zotero.org with any browser.

Want to build a bibliography quickly from any computer or device, without creating an account or installing any software?  Try ZoteroBib.

Error message when installing the Zotero Connector in Chrome

You can use the Zotero Connector with Google Chrome, but if you are signed in with your Brandeis profile, you may encounter an error message saying that you have "no access to this service." 

First, make sure you are installing Zotero Connector from the Chrome Web Store.

If this doesn't work, the Technology Help Desk can help you to fix this; send them an email at help@brandeis.edu.  Let them know that you are trying to install the Zotero connector in Google Chrome while logged in to your Brandeis account, and provide the error message you are receiving.

"Save to Zotero" icon doesn't appear in the browser 

If the Zotero Connector seems to have installed correctly (no error messages), but it's not appearing in your browser bar, follow the instructions below for whichever browser you are using.

Chrome

1. Click on the puzzle piece icon (Extensions) to the right of the search bar to open the Extensions menu.
2. Find the Zotero Connector in the list and click on the pushpin icon to "pin" it to the taskbar.

Edge

1. Click on the puzzle piece icon (Extensions) to the right of the search bar to open the Extensions menu.
2. Find the Zotero Connector in the list and click on the eye icon to "show in toolbar."

Firefox

1. Click on the puzzle piece icon (Extensions) to the right of the search bar to open the extensions menu.
2. Find Zotero Connector in the list, and click on the gear icon to open a settings window.  Choose "Pin to Toolbar."

Safari

The Zotero Connector for Safari is bundled into the desktop app.  After opening Zotero for the first time, you can enable the Zotero connector in Safari.