This document provides an introduction and instructions for using the reference management software Zotero. It begins with an overview of Zotero and its features. It then outlines steps to download and install Zotero, become familiar with the interface, and create a Zotero library. Further sections explain how to automatically export references from library catalogs, Google Scholar, and web pages into a Zotero library. The document concludes by describing how to format citations and generate bibliographies in Microsoft Word using references stored in a Zotero library.

1. 1

2. 2
What’s inside?
Content Slide Number
INTRODUCTION 3
Download and installation of Zotero 4
Zotero Interface 5
Creating your Zotero Library 6
EXPORTING ENTRIES 7
1. From the Library Catalogue 8-10
2. From Google Scholar 11
3. From Web 12
Entries in Zotero Library 13
FORMATTING CITATIONS IN MS WORD 14
1. How to create in-text citation 15-19
2. How to create a Reference List 20-22
OTHER FUNCTIONS IN ZOTERO 23

3. • is a free, open-source
research tool that helps you collect and organize
scholarly works for teaching, research, and personal
study.
• Free storage up to 300 MB.
3
Introduction to Zotero
NOTES:
 NP Library suggests the use of free reference management software(s) from open-access to automate
formatting of sources in academic papers.
 However, auto-generated citations are not always error-free.
It is best to cross-check against the prescribed format of your chosen Reference Style.
 See available online guide https://np-sg.libguides.com/CitingResources to check citing conventions and make
edits to the auto-generated citations as may be necessary.

4. Download Zotero
STEP 1.
Go to Zotero homepage
STEP 1.2.
Install Zotero
Connector to
automatically save
web sources
STEP 1.1.
Click on the
download button
4
(From Step 1.1.) Once downloaded, a
Zotero tab will be added in MS Word
(From Step 1.2) Zotero
Connector icon will
appear at the right
hand corner of the
screen when installed

5. STEP 2.
Launch Zotero. The
software has a 3-column
interface (each with a
different function)
(NOTE: The sample interface already
has entries for demonstration
purposes. Steps to populate the
software with bibliographic entries are
outlined in the succeeding slides).
Libraries panel Resources panel Metadata panel
5
Zotero interface

6. STEP 3.
Create and name a folder
for your resources
STEP 3.1
Click on the relevant folder to fill it with
citation details. Each folder is similar to a ‘mini-
library’ that can contain relevant sources.
(NOTE: Keep Zotero open and the desired folder clicked before filling in
entries from various sources, e.g. Lib Catalogue, Google Scholar, and
Web)
6
Creating your Zotero Library

7. 7
Automatically export entries from
1. Library Catalogue
2. Google Scholar
3. Web

8. STEP 4.1
Go to Library Catalogue.
Type a search word
STEP 4.2
Save the record(s) that you
want to cite by clicking on
the PIN icon
STEP 4.3
Click on the PIN icon to go
to ‘My Favourites' page
8
Export entries from Library catalogue

9. STEP 4.5
Click on “Save to Zotero” and
“Save to Zotero (Primo 2018)”
STEP 4.4
Right click anywhere on ‘My Favourites’ page.
A box menu will be prompted
9
Export entries from Library catalogue

10. STEP 4.6
Tick the item(s) that you wish to save in
the Zotero library and click on “OK”
Records of your chosen items will
be automatically saved in your
Zotero library
10
Export entries from Library catalogue

11. STEP 5.
Go to scholar. google.com.sg
Key in search term
STEP 5.2
Click on your desired citation
style
STEP 5.3
Click on “RefMan”
(Note: ‘RefMan’ is short for
reference management)
Records of your chosen item will
be automatically saved in your
Zotero library
STEP 5.1
Select the citation icon
11
Export entries from Google Scholar

12. STEP 6.
Click on the Zotero
Connector icon
12
Export entries from the Web
(From STEP 6.) A pop-up
message will automatically
appear

13. Reference entries exported
from the
 1) Library Catalogue,
 2) Google Scholar, and
 3) Web
are automatically stored in the
Zotero library
13
Entries in Zotero Library

14. 14
Formatting citations in MS Word

15. STEP 7.1.
Open MS Word. Keep the populated
Zotero library open. A Zotero tab is
automatically added in the menu
bar
STEP 7.2.
Click on “Document Preferences”
and select your desired citation
style
STEP 7.3.
Click on “OK”
15
How to create in-text citations

16. STEP 7.1.
Open MS Word. A Zotero tab is
automatically added in the menu
bar
STEP 7.2.
Click on “Document Preferences”
and select your desired citation
style
STEP 7.3.
Click on “OK”
16
How to create in-text citations

17. STEP 7.5
Click on
“Add/Edit Citation” STEP 7.4.
Place the cursor where you
want to insert the citation
STEP 7.6
A Zotero pull down bar
will appear. Key in the
title of your source.
Click on the title and hit
‘ENTER’
17
How to create in-text citations

18. The in-text citation will be
automatically added
18
STEP 7.7
When quoting directly, put page number(s) in
the in-text citation. To do this, follow the exact
process from STEP 7.4 to 7.6 (refer to Slide 15).
Click on the source in the Zotero bar
How to create in-text citations

19. 19
STEP 7.8
A dialogue box will appear.
Put the page number(s) in the field.
Hit ‘ENTER’ to exit the dialogue box
and another ‘ENTER’ to put the in-
text citation
The in-text citation (with
page number) will be
automatically added
How to create in-text citations

20. STEP 8
Click on “Add/Edit Bibliography”
The record(s) used in-
text will automatically
appear
20
How to create a Reference List

21. STEP 8.1
Highlight the items you want to
include in the Reference List
from the Zotero interface
STEP 8.2
Right click and choose
“Create Bibliography from Items”
21
How to create a Reference List (alternative approach)

22. STEP 8.3
Choose your preferred
citation style
STEP 8.4
Click on “Bibliography” radio button
STEP 8.5
Click on “Save as RTF” radio button
STEP 8.6
Click “OK”
22
How to create a Reference List (alternative approach)

23. 1. Manually add records in
Zotero library
2. Look up items using
identifiers (DOI, ISBN)
(NOTE: DOI is short for digital object
identifier. It is given to materials
legitimately published online).
4. Attach PDF items or links
to better organise readings
5. View stored PDF
attachments
6. Link sources to
different online sources
3. Add notes or
annotations on
reference entries
23
Other functions in Zotero