Zotero

Zotero is a free literature management program that can be used on Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS and other operating systems. Zotero is particularly suitable for literature research on the Internet and the direct transfer of researched data into your own database, as well as for working in groups that want to manage literature together. Using Connector, a browser plug-in, Zotero can store full texts that can be accessed online, such as articles or e-books, as a local copy.

With Zotero you can ...

Collect data
  • Automatic transfer of bibliographic data of individual or multiple books, journal articles etc. via the Connector Import via ISBN, DOI, PMID
  • Save webpage snapshot manually or automatically
  • Import from other reference management programs via numerous exchange formats (Zotero RDF, MODS, BibTeX, RIS, Refer/BibIX, Unqualified Dublin Core RDF)
  • Manual input
  • Files (PDF files, images, text documents, etc.) or links to files on the computer can be attached to the individual entries.
  • Import PDF files with drag and drop, query metadata (search in Google Scholar)
Organize and manage data
  • Sorting entries in folders and subfolders
  • Provide references with tags and notes, create independent notes
  • Linking of references (e.g. book and individual chapters)
  • Finding and merging duplicates
  • Quick search of all references, notes, tags, texts from websites and PDF files
  • Limiting the search to different fields and individual collections
  • Erweiterte Suche mit der Möglichkeit, Suchabfragen zu speichern (automatische Ergebnisaktualisierung)
  • Bibliographien und Berichte (ausführliche Literaturlisten mit sämtlichen Angaben) von Sammlungen erstellen und ausdrucken
  • Visualisierung einzelner Sammlungen oder der ganzen Bibliothek
Cite data
  • Plugin for word processing programs for adding citations in running text or footnotes and creating bibliographies
  • Citations are copied into emails, Google Docs and other plain text documents using drag & drop.
  • In RTF documents, insert citations in a defined short form directly into the text and then convert them into complete information using the "RTF scan" function
  • Frequently used citation styles are preset, download more than 10,000 additional styles via the Zotero Style Repository
  • Zotero uses the open Citation-Style-Language (CSL) format, which is also supported by Mendeley. Citation styles can be created by the user (only recommended for advanced users) or suggested by Zotero.

Installation of Zotero and Zotero Connector

The Zotero program and the connector for the preferred browser (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari (up to version 11), Opera) can be downloaded free of charge from the Zotero website. Other third-party plug-ins are also available, some of which are subject to a charge.

Helpful links