liminfoZotero Reference
Free reference guide: Zotero Reference
About Zotero Reference
The Zotero Reference is a searchable cheat sheet covering the essential features of Zotero, the free and open-source reference management software used by millions of researchers worldwide. It includes 28 entries organized into six categories: Collection (Zotero Connector browser extension, ISBN/DOI/PMID lookup, PDF metadata extraction, BibTeX import, RSS feeds), Organization (collections, tags with color coding, related items, saved searches, duplicate merging), Citations (Word plugin, Google Docs integration, bibliography generation, citation style switching, CSL editor), Sync (Zotero cloud sync, WebDAV file sync, ZotFile integration, group libraries for collaboration), Plugins (Better BibTeX for auto citation keys, PDF Translate, OCR, Storage Scanner), and API (REST endpoints for items, collections, and BibTeX export).
Zotero is the go-to tool for academic writing because it automates the tedious parts of citation management: collecting references from web pages with one click, organizing them into collections with tags, inserting formatted citations into Word or Google Docs, and generating bibliographies in thousands of citation styles (APA, Chicago, IEEE, Vancouver, and more). However, Zotero has a rich feature set that can be overwhelming to learn. This reference consolidates the most commonly needed operations into a single searchable page so you can quickly find the feature, shortcut, or API call you need without reading through the full documentation.
All reference content is displayed locally in your browser with instant search and category-based filtering. No data is transmitted to any server, no Zotero account is needed, and the tool works offline after the initial page load. The bilingual Korean/English interface supports researchers in both languages, with dark mode for comfortable reading during long writing sessions.
Key Features
- 28 Zotero entries covering collection, organization, citations, sync, plugins, and API
- Browser collection methods: Zotero Connector, DOI/ISBN/PMID lookup, PDF metadata extraction, BibTeX import
- Citation workflow: Word plugin, Google Docs integration, bibliography generation, and citation style management
- Sync configuration: Zotero cloud, WebDAV file sync, ZotFile attachment management, group libraries
- Plugin reference: Better BibTeX auto citation keys, PDF Translate, OCR for scanned PDFs, Storage Scanner
- REST API examples: item queries, collection listing, item creation, and BibTeX format export
- Organization features: collections, color-coded tags, related items, saved searches, and duplicate merging
- 100% client-side with instant search, category filtering, dark mode, and bilingual KO/EN support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zotero and why should researchers use it?
Zotero is a free, open-source reference management tool that helps researchers collect, organize, cite, and share research sources. It captures bibliographic data from web pages with one click (via the Zotero Connector browser extension), stores PDFs and notes alongside metadata, and inserts formatted citations into Word and Google Docs. It supports over 10,000 citation styles and syncs across devices. Unlike commercial alternatives like EndNote, Zotero is completely free for individuals.
How does the Zotero Connector work?
The Zotero Connector is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. When you visit a journal article page, library catalog, or online database, clicking the Zotero icon automatically detects and saves the bibliographic metadata (title, authors, journal, DOI, etc.) to your Zotero library. It also downloads the full-text PDF when available. This eliminates manual data entry and ensures accurate metadata capture from the source.
How do I insert citations in Microsoft Word?
Install the Zotero Word plugin (included with Zotero). In Word, go to the Zotero tab and click "Add Citation." A search bar appears where you type the author name or title. Select the reference and it is inserted as a formatted in-text citation. Click "Add Bibliography" to generate the reference list. Change citation styles anytime through Preferences > Cite > Style Manager (APA, Chicago, IEEE, etc.) — all existing citations update automatically.
What is Better BibTeX and why should I install it?
Better BibTeX (BBT) is the most popular Zotero plugin for LaTeX users. It automatically generates stable, human-readable citation keys (e.g., smith2024) using configurable patterns like [auth:lower][year]. It also provides auto-export functionality — whenever your Zotero library changes, the .bib file is automatically updated. This eliminates manual BibTeX file maintenance and prevents broken citations in LaTeX documents.
How do I sync Zotero across multiple devices?
Zotero offers built-in cloud sync for bibliographic data (unlimited, free). For file sync (PDFs, attachments), you get 300 MB free storage, with paid upgrades available. Alternatively, configure WebDAV file sync to use your own server or a compatible cloud service. ZotFile can manage attachments in a cloud folder (Dropbox, Google Drive) as another sync approach. Group libraries allow team members to share a synchronized reference collection.
How do I use the Zotero REST API?
The Zotero API allows programmatic access to your library. Use GET /users/USER_ID/items?key=API_KEY&format=json to retrieve items, POST /users/USER_ID/items to create new entries, and GET /users/USER_ID/collections to list collections. For BibTeX export, append format=bibtex to the query. API keys are generated at zotero.org under Settings > Feeds/API. The API is useful for batch operations, integration with other tools, and automated workflows.
How do I handle duplicate references in Zotero?
Zotero has a built-in duplicate detection feature. In your library, click "Duplicate Items" in the left panel to see all potential duplicates. Select the duplicate entries and click "Merge." Zotero automatically combines the metadata, keeping the most complete version of each field. It also preserves all tags, notes, and attachments from both entries. Run this periodically to keep your library clean, especially after importing from multiple sources.
Can Zotero work with Google Docs?
Yes. Zotero integrates directly with Google Docs through the Zotero Connector browser extension. After installing the Connector, open a Google Doc and access Zotero from the menu bar. Click "Add/Edit Citation" to search and insert references. Click "Add/Edit Bibliography" to generate the reference list. The workflow is similar to the Word plugin. Citations update in real-time when you change styles, and collaboration works — multiple authors can edit the same document with Zotero citations.