FAQs
How do I remove duplicates?
Click on ‘Duplicate Items’ in the Zotero left side panel to view any duplicates detected by Zotero.
Choose the version of the item to use as the ‘master’ and click ‘Merge [#] items’ in the right panel.
If the item fields don't match completely, you can select one item to be the ‘master’ from the list at the top of the right panel, then select alternative versions of mismatched fields using the icons to the right of each field.
Merged duplicates are automatically detected by word plugins and don’t affect your automatically generated citations and bibliographies.
Learn more about detecting and merging duplicates.
How can I manually add case law and legislation in AGLC style?
When manually entering reported cases, use the following fields: item type, case name, date decided, reporter, reporter volume and first page. When a law report is organised by year and there is no volume number, enter the year with a square bracket in the reporter volume field. When a law report is organised by year and there is a volume number, enter both the year with a square bracket and volume number in the reporter volume field.
When manually entering legislation: put the jurisdiction under ‘code’, you do not need to include the brackets.
Which Harvard style should I add?
The Harvard referencing style is a general author-date referencing system of which there are many versions. In the Zotero 'additional styles' menu, there is a style called 'Style Manual - Australian Government (author-date)', updated on 2022-07-04 (note that this style may be further updated in the future). This style is a close match for the Monash Harvard style in our citing and referencing guide.
Can I use Zotero on a mobile device?
The mobile version of Zotero allows you to access and edit your Zotero library on your tablet or mobile phone. You can download the app from the links on the Zotero for mobile webpage.
I'm currently using another reference management program. How do I transfer my library to Zotero? Can I use Zotero with Word documents where I've previously used EndNote?
You can migrate your data from other reference management software such as Endnote and Mendeley to Zotero. Most reference management software can import and export .RIS and .XML files to each other. However, any citations already added in Word will not be automatically changed to the new reference manager software, this must be done manually in your documents.
Learn more about moving references into Zotero.
Can I have more than one reference management program installed on my device?
Although it is not recommended to keep more than one reference manager software, there are times when you want to keep both Endnote and Zotero on your device - perhaps because you are still trialling which one suits you best.
You can choose either Endnote or Zotero as the default citation manager, depending on which one you prefer at a particular time.
If you are using a PC, type Default Apps in the main search bar on the bottom left of your desktop. Choose Default apps - scroll down and click Choose default application by file type. Scroll down the alphabetical list to .ris. Right-click the application name beside .ris to change it to Endnote or Zotero, depending on your preference.
If you are using a Mac, navigate in Finder to any RIS file. Right click on the file and select ‘Get Info’. Under ‘Get Info’, click on the ‘Open With’ tab and select Endnote or Zotero. Then select ‘Change All’ and it will set this application as the default for opening all RIS files.
How do I annotate PDFs in Zotero?
Zotero has a built-in PDF reader, allowing users to open PDFs in a new tab, navigate easily between PDFs and the Library, highlight and annotate them, add comments or tags to the highlighted parts and the annotations, and extract the annotations into a note.
Links in the annotations allow you to quickly find the place in the PDF document with the highlighted sentence or the note.
To highlight or annotate a PDF directly in Zotero, double click the PDF you want to read and annotate in your Zotero library. A new tab will open with your PDF attachment. Use the highlighting, notes, or screen capture tools to track key information.
To pull all your notes, annotations, and screen captures from a PDF into a single note within your Zotero library for easy viewing, right click on the reference title within your Zotero library. From the right click menu select ‘Add Note from Annotations’.
Learn more about PDF annotation.
What is ZoteroBib?
ZoteroBib helps you build a bibliography instantly from any computer or device, without creating an account or installing any software.