1. Reference Management Software Tools Zotero – Download Instructions
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Managing References

2. Zotero
Zotero is a free (open source) reference management tool, that is available as an add-on for the Firefox web browser.
Standalone version for Chrome, Safari and Firefox browsers
The Firefox web browser can be downloaded for free at:
Note: you need version 17 or newer; current version is 29 (May 2014)
To download and install Zotero go to:

3. Before you can install Zotero, you first need to install the Firefox web browser.
Firefox can be downloaded from:

4. Next, go to the Zotero website at http://www. zotero
Next, go to the Zotero website at and click on the red Download Now button.
Note: since both Firefox and Zotero are open source programs and linked to each others’ programming, it is best to download Zotero from Firefox.
Managing References

5. Note that there are Download options: Zotero/Firefox and Zotero Standalone version for Firefox, Chrome and Safari.
For this module, download Zotero 4.0 for Firefox (cloud based version). When the download is complete, a box will appear. Click on Install now.
Later in the tutorial, we will download the Standalone (Windows) version.

6. In Firefox, this Software Installation query may appear
In Firefox, this Software Installation query may appear. If so, click on Install.

7. Click on the Restart Now button to install Zotero.

8. Zotero has been loaded and is accessible by clicking on the Z in the Firebox toolbar.
Registering for Zotero is optional.

9. Exercise 1 Open the Firefox web browser (version 17 or higher)
If necessary, download Firefox:
Go to the website:
Click on (preferably) Zotero for Firebox
Then click on Install
After installation, restart Firefox

10. Word Processor Integration
Zotero's Word and OpenOffice plugins allow users to insert citations directly from their word processing software.
You can find a link to install the plugin on the Zotero homepage (
After installing the plugin and clicking on Zotero, you should see this row of icons in your Microsoft Word toolbar:
These six buttons allow you to manage references and bibliographies in your Microsoft Word documents.

11. Click on Add a plugin for Word or LibreOffice.

12. From this page, download and install the Word for Windows Plugin (Firefox extension).

13. In Firefox, this Software Installation query may appear
In Firefox, this Software Installation query may appear. If so, click on Install Now.

14. In MS Word, click on ZOTERO in the toolbar
In MS Word, click on ZOTERO in the toolbar. This will display the Zotero Plugin.

15. Exercise 7 Click on Add a plugin for Word or LibreOffice
Next, click on Word for Windows Plugin (Firefox extension) and subsequently Install now
In MS Word or LibreOffice, click on ADD-INS in the toolbar