Washington and Lee University Library
What is Zotero?
Zotero is a free downloadable citation manager that easily grabs information from the web. Zotero allows users to save, organize and share references. You can also insert properly formatted citations directly into documents using Zotero's Word add-in.
Basic Zotero Setup
To get started with Zotero, complete the following 5 steps:
- Register for a free Zotero account.
- Download Zotero 6.0 AND a Zotero browser connector.
- Activate/pin your browser connector.
- In Safari:
- Open Safari, after you have downloaded the Zotero app.
- On the top menu, click Safari → Preferences.
- In the Preferences dialog box, select Extensions.
- Check the box next to Zotero to activate extension.
- In Chrome:
- Open Chrome, after you have enabled the Zotero plugin for Chrome.
- Click the puzzle piece icon near your address bar.
- Click the pin next to Zotero to easily access the plugin in the Chrome menu bar.
- In Safari:
- Set up Sync.
- Important: Input your Zotero username and password (what you created on www.zotero.org).
- Ensure Word plugin, included automatically with Zotero download, is working optimally. It should have downloaded automatically. If you don't see the Zotero menu in Word, try quitting and restarting Word. If issues persist, review Zotero's troubleshooting guide.
Troubleshooting Zotero
Having a problem setting up or using Zotero? Review Zotero's Getting Help page and/or review the Zotero Forum.
Still need help? Email library@wlu.edu, jump on the library's chat service, or submit an asynchronous ticket if the service is not currently staffed.