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Zotero Research Manager: Installation (Version 7.x)

Zotero Requirements

Zotero Version 7.x

Zotero is a free Web application developed for Google Chrome, FireFox, Microsoft Edge, & Safari web browsers, and integrates with word processing programs such as MS Word, LibreOffice, & Google Docs. It allows you to quickly cite in-text and format references in thousands of styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian, etc.). Zotero allows you to collect, manage, cite, and share references you've collected for your research.

Minimum operating system requirements for Zotero version 7.x:
Windows 7 or later
macOS 10.12 or later
Linux

The Zotero Connector works with the following web browser versions:
Google Chrome 88 or later
Edge 88 or later
FireFox 102 or later
Safari on MacOS Big Sur or later [details]

More detailed system requirements available here: https://www.zotero.org/support/system_requirements

Creating an account on Zotero's website allows you to sync your collections to a central point (300MB free) from multiple computers (such as work & home). It also allows you to create groups. 

 

The following steps will walk you through how to install Zotero.

Step 1: Save documents & close all programs.

Save documents & close all programs other than web browser before proceeding. This especially includes your word processing software, as the plugin is automatically installed with Zotero, but can only work if the word processing software is closed.

Step 2: Double-Check Version of Web Browser

Rationale: The Zotero Connector which allows downloading information from the browser into
Zotero only works with these versions of the browser:

Chrome: Version 88 or higher
Edge: Version 88 or higher
FireFox: Version 102 or higher
Safari on MacOS Big Sur or later [details]

Use the Help menu then click on "About"

Step 3: Download & Install Zotero

Once you have the latest version of your browser, open it, download Zotero and install the program.

The download interface automatically recognizes your specific browser and operating system and provides the appropriate choice.

Step 4: Install Zotero Connector for your specific browser

Open your browser & go to the Download page to install the Zotero Connector. The download interface automatically recognizes your specific browser and operating system, and provides the appropriate choice.

It is Critical you install the Zotero Connector for the specific browser. Otherwise, Zotero cannot easily download citation metadata and content (articles/webpage screens) into the app.

Step 5: Word Processing Plugin

This word processing plugin allows you to create a bibliography, in-text citations, and footnotes or endnotes from within the word processing software. 

 

Using Google Docs? No plugin required. Click here for Zotero support documentation.

Using LibreOffice? Click here for plugin.

 

Zotero automatically installs the plugin for Microsoft Word & LibreOffice. You may verify this by opening MS Word and clicking on the Zotero menu tab:

zotero menu in MS Word

 

 

 
 
 

You are finished with Step #5. Please proceed to Step #6.

 

Note: If you upgraded Zotero from Version 6.x to Version 7, please continue:

Open Zotero, go to the Edit menu, click on Settings, and go to Cite menu on left & click on 
Reinstall Microsoft Word Add-in (or LibreOffice if using that word processing software).

 

shows where the reinstall Microsoft Word button is located in Zotero Settings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To verify, Open Microsoft Word, and click on the Zotero tab to display tools:

 

shows Zotero menu in Word

 

 

You are finished with Step #5. Please proceed to Step #6.

Step 6: Register to create a Zotero account (optional)

You do not need to register your Zotero account, but you may want to do this at a later date as there are a
number of advantages including the ability to sync your citations to the Zotero site, which allows you to 
access them from any computer at any time. 

You receive 300 MB of storage for free.

You have now completed installing Zotero version 7.

We recommend you proceed to the Customization tab on this guide.