Zotero consists of desktop software, an online library, a word processor plugin, and a browser extension.
See the sections below for a more detailed explanation of installation, Zotero as software, its plugins, extensions, and useful settings.
How to Install Zotero
Download the software
Personal PC/Mac
Download Zotero for your operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux) from Zotero.org and follow the installation process.
UiO PC/Mac
Install Zotero via Software Center / Managed Software Center.
It is currently not possible to install Zotero on OUS PCs.
Download Zotero Connector
Install the browser extension Zotero Connector via Zotero.org or the app store.
Once you have added and activated the Connector as an extension, it will appear next to the URL field in your browser. If the Connector does not appear there, click on the extensions icon and pin/show the Connector in the toolbar.
Zotero Plugin for Word Processors
When you install Zotero and the connector, a plugin for Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs is also automatically installed, which you use to add citations in the text.
This plugin should appear in the menu bar on the right. If it is missing, see how to reinstall it here.
Create a Zotero account
A Zotero user account gives you access to Zotero’s Web Library. Your desktop library will then be synchronized, and you can use the same library on different platforms. You can also share references and collaborate with others.
To create an account, go to Zotero.org, click Log In at the top and then Register for a free account. Fill in username, email address, and password. We recommend that you use a private email address for this, so you retain access to the account even after you leave UiO.
Additional storage space
A Zotero account is free, but the storage space is limited. UiO pays for unlimited storage for its users, so to get access to this you need to add a UiO email address:
- Log in to Zotero.org, click on your username – Settings
- Go to Email – Email Addresses and add a UiO email address
- Click on the verification link in the email you receive
Zotero Workspace
The Zotero workspace consists of three panels for collections, references, and reference details, as well as a toolbar and a menu bar.
In the left panel, you can navigate through various collections in your Zotero library, create new collections, find duplicates and deleted references. Any shared groups will also be displayed here.
The middle panel shows all references in the collection you select in the left panel. In the column overview, you can right-click to choose which information is displayed for the reference, e.g., title, author, year, modification date, etc.
If the reference has attachments (PDF, Snapshots, etc.) or Notes, these will be located directly under the reference and will be shown if you click the arrow the left of the reference.
The right panel shows when you double-click on a specific reference. Here you get a summary of all the information in the reference, such as title, author, date, journal/publisher, etc.
You can edit the various fields if any information is missing or incorrect.
In addition to reference information, the panel shows any summary of the source, attachments, notes, tags and associated references.
The toolbar above the references allows you to add references manually, add references quickly based on an identification number, attach files to references, and create notes.
Useful Settings and Plugins for Zotero
Settings
Under the menu item Edit > Settings you can make a number of adjustments for the software itself and its connections with other programs.
General settings
Under General - Appearance and language you can choose which language you want Zotero to use. Zotero is available in a number of languages, including Norwegian Bokmål.
It is also possible to set dark mode.
Another useful setting is Header for item pane, here you can choose Bibliographic entry. Then you will get a preview of your references in the citation style you use. You can also set the language you write in here, and you can choose Norwegian Nynorsk in addition to Bokmål.
Under General - Miscellaneous you can choose not to add automatic keywords when importing references, and we recommend that you turn this off. This makes it easier to create and use your own keywords (tags) in the future.
Synchronization settings
Under Sync you can connect to your Zotero Online account, and choose how much of the library should be synchronized to the web version. Zotero's web version comes with limited storage space, so if you have many references it may be wise to turn off attachment syncing.
If you add a UiO email to your Zotero account you get unlimited storage, read more about it here.
Citation settings
Under Cite you can add more citation styles from the internet (Get additional styles...).
When you install Zotero, an add-in for the word processor you use is installed automatically, but if it doesn't work properly you can reinstall it here under Word Processors. The add-in is available for both Microsoft Word and LibreOffice.
Zotero Plugins
Zotero is open-source software, with many plugins that provide extra functionality. You can manage your plugins in Zotero via the menu item Tools > Plugins.
In Zotero's plugin directory, you can select and download the plugin you are interested in. Then go to Tools > Plugins in Zotero, click on the gear icon > Install Plugin From File... and locate the file you downloaded.