Get the browser connector
The easiest way to gather sources or pull sources into Zotero is by using the Zotero browser connector.
The connector works with Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers.
The browser connector will appear in your browser menu as a small icon. This icon will change depending on what you are looking at. For example:
(article) 
(book) 
(folder; multiple sources) 
(web page; unidentifiable source)
Not seeing an icon in your browser menu/bar?
- In Chrome: go to chrome://extensions/ and enable the connector. (Click on the little switch. To turn on, it should be to the right and blue.) If you're still not seeing it, go to Extensions (the puzzle piece) in your browser menu. In the pop-up, click on the little pin (make it blue) to pin the connector to your browser bar.
- In Firefox: go to about:addons and then go to Extensions using the side menu. Enable the Zotero connector. (Click on the little switch. To turn on, it should be to the right and blue.) If you're still not seeing it, go to Extensions (the puzzle piece) in your browser menu. In the pop-up, click on the gear for the Zotero connector. Click on "Pin to toolbar."
- In Edge: go to edge://extensions/ and enable the connector. (Click on the little switch. To turn on, it should be to the right and blue.) If you're still not seeing it, click on Extensions (the puzzle piece) in the browser menu. In the pop-up, click on the crossed-out eye for the Zotero connector to show it in your toolbar.
- In Safari: see Zotero's Safari compatibility page for help.
Make sure the Zotero software is open and running in the background before you try using the browser connector.
Gather sources from a database
Video on gathering sources from a database using the browser connector:
Tools to import plain-text citations from documents
Already have lists of citations going in text documents? There's a way to import those into Zotero. These tools can help.
- CrossRef's Simple Text Query1. Copy your reference list into the query box and submit. You'll be taken to your list of references with DOI URLs now included.
2. With Zotero running in the background, use the Zotero browser connector on the page with your new references. This will allow you to import them into Zotero.
Gather sources from Google Scholar
Video on gathering sources from Google Scholar using the browser connector: