What is Zotero?
Zotero
Zotero is a free, online and desktop citation manager. Like all of the citation managers included in this guide, Zotero can help you to collect, organize, format, and share your citations.
Creating your Zotero account
Instructions for creating and setting up your Zotero account can be found in this handout for Windows, this handout for Mac, or in the video embedded below.
Note: The video below is for the past version of Zotero. A new video is in the works!
Handouts for Zotero
The handout linked below contains detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to use Zotero.
Handouts for Version 7 of Zotero
- Zotero Tips for Windows (Zotero 7)This handout includes instructions for creating, setting up, and using your Zotero account on a Windows computer.
- Zotero Tips for Mac (Zotero 7)This handout includes instructions for creating, setting up, and using your Zotero account on a Mac computer.
Handouts for past version of Zotero
- Zotero Tips for WindowsThis handout includes instructions for creating, setting up, and using your Zotero account on a Windows computer.
- Zotero Tips for MacThis handout includes instructions for creating, setting up, and using your Zotero account on a Mac computer.
Videos for Zotero
Below are videos containing step by step instructions on how to use Zotero. Note: These videos reflect the past version of Zotero. New videos for Zotero 7 are in the works!
Zotero Part 1: This video contains instructions for creating an account and setting up Zotero.- Zotero Part 2: This video contains instructions for importing and managing your citations in Zotero.
- Zotero Part 3: This video contains instructions for using Zotero's Word plugin.
Have questions? Reach out!
Have additional questions, or would like direct Zotero support? Reach out to Paije Wilson, the Ebling Library's Citation Management Coordinator, at paije.wilson@wisc.edu.
To see the complete list of citation manager consultants at UW-Madison, see the consultants page of the UW-Madison Libraries' Citation Managers Guide.
Quick Links
- Zotero LoginThis link will take you to the login screen for Zotero.
- Zotero ForumsThe Zotero forums contain helpful troubleshooting advice from Zotero users, and allow account holders to post and answer questions relating to Zotero.
Additional Resources
- Zotero DocumentationThis site contains support documentation for setting up and using Zotero.
- Zotero for Google DocsThis link takes you to a page containing instructions for how to use Zotero's Google Doc plugin. This plugin allows you to add Zotero citations to a Google Doc.
- UW-Madison Libraries' Citation Manager Comparison ChartThis chart provides a comprehensive comparison of the available functions in EndNote Basic, EndNote 20, Zotero, and Mendeley.
- UW-Madison Libraries' Citation Managers GuideThis is the UW Libraries' guide to citation managers, which provides general information on installing and using EndNote Basic, EndNote 20, Zotero, and Mendeley.
- UW-Madison Libaries' Citing Sources GuideThis guide provides information on how to cite sources using different citation styles.
- UW-Madison Writing CenterThe Writing Center supports writers affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Writing Center provides writers with support, resources, community, and accountability at any stage of the writing process.