Zotero

A guide to getting started with Zotero.

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:
Zotero article icon(article)  Zotero book icon(book)  Zotero folder icon(folder; multiple sources) Zotero web icon(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.

Gather sources from Google Scholar

Video on gathering sources from Google Scholar using the browser connector:

Gather sources from Primo & the web

Video on gathering sources from Primo (library catalog+) and the web using the browser connector:

Gather from Primo (another method)

With Primo you can import records into Zotero as a batch or individually. Here is how:

  1. In Primo as you find records you wish to keep, click the little thumbtack pin icon next to the record to add it to your “pinned” list. pin icon
     
  2. You can then export your pinned list at once by clicking the pin icon in the top right of your browser window to view your pinned list. pin icon
     
  3. When viewing your pinned list, select the items you want to save to your machine or click the box that lets you select them all at once.
    Initial list of saved records:screenshot of list of saved records    checked, all : screenshot of items checked in list of saved records
     
  4. As soon as you select items, there will appear a little “…” icon in the black bar above your records. Click on "My Favorites." Screenshot of My Favorites option
     
  5. The "Send to" menu will allow you to “Export RIS”.   Screenshot of "Send to" menu .   Screenshot of Export RIS button
     
  6. Click on the "Download" button that appears.  screenshot of Download button
     
  7. You will then get a download "Primo_RIS_Export".  Click on this at the bottom of your browser window.  You will be prompted to add it to your Zotero library. 
        

Your Librarian

Profile Photo
Renae Watson
she/her
Contact:
E: renae.watson@colostate.edu
Ph: 970-491-5338

24/7 Library Help

24/7 Library Help

Connect with library staff via chat, email, phone or text.

URL: https://libguides.colostate.edu/zotero | Print Page