Zotero

Zotero is a free open source literature management program that can be used to collect, organize, annotate and cite scientific literature.

You can find more information about Zotero in our FAQ below.

Version 7 of Zotero has been available since 09.08.2024. You can find an overview of important new features here.

If you have any questions about literature management, please write to:

literaturverwaltunguni-greifswaldde

or contact the information desk at the Central University Library:

Central University Library
Information

Campus Beitzplatz

Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 10
17489 Greifswald
+49 3834 420 1515
ubinfouni-greifswaldde

General questions regarding the program

Where can I download Zotero?

Zotero can be downloaded free of charge at zotero.org.

Zotero is also made available via the URZ software kiosk.

Can I also use Zotero on the PCs at the university library?

Zotero is installed on all public PCs in the University Library.

For which operating systems is Zotero suitable?

Zotero runs on Windows, macOS and Linux computers.

Do I have to register to use Zotero?

No, registration is not absolutely necessary.

What are the advantages of registering?

If you create a free account with Zotero, you can synchronize your local Zotero library with the Zotero cloud and access it anywhere with the Zotero web application. Registration is mandatory for group projects.

Can I also use Zotero on my tablet or smartphone?

Yes, if you register with Zotero, you can open and edit your library in your browser. There are also various apps for Android and iOS.

Where can I find more information on using Zotero?

Further guides and detailed instructions can be found in the Zotero documentation.

Set up Zotero

Where can I set up data synchronization with the Zotero cloud?

You can create a free Zotero account via Edit > Preferences > Sync. To set up data synchronization between your local Zotero library and the Zotero cloud, enter the username and password of your Zotero account and click on Set Up Syncing.

Where can I view or change the local storage location?

Under Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Files and Folders, you can see the current storage location and adjust it if necessary.

Where can I enter the link resolver of the University of Greifswald?

Under Edit > Preferences > General > Locate you can select the link resolver of the University of Greifswald via Europe > Germany > University of Greifswald. You can now check directly from Zotero whether titles are available at Greifswald University Library. To do this, select the desired title in Zotero, click on the arrow at the side navigation bar and select Library Lookup.

Where can I manage citation styles?

You can add more styles to the list of existing citation styles by searching the Zotero Style Repository via Edit > Preferences > Cite. To do this, click Get additional styles.

Where can I create a new writing project in Zotero?

In Zotero, you have the option of adding titles from your Zotero library to various collections. When you start a new writing project, you can create a new collection for it. To do this, click on the folder icon at the top left.

Cloud storage and collaborative work on a project

How big is the cloud storage?

Zotero provides 300 MB of cloud storage free of charge. This is usually sufficient for student projects. The cloud storage serves as online storage space for your Zotero files and is required to synchronize PDFs, images, web snapshots and other files with all your devices and to access files via your online library on zotero.org.

How can I expand my cloud storage?

Additional storage can be purchased from Zotero. Alternatively, it is also possible to integrate other cloud storage services via WebDAV (e.g. Nextcloud).

How do I connect Zotero with Nextcloud?

The University library of the TU Hamburg explains how you can connect Nextcloud with Zotero in a blog post.

Can I also work on a project together with other people?

Yes, this requires a free registration with Zotero.

After logging in, you can create a new group or search for an existing one under Groups. The creator can also determine the rights management and invite members to the group. All members can then save, manage and annotate their literature together in the group.

Please note that the free storage available is limited to 300 MB. The storage used in group libraries is always deducted from the storage volume of the group creator. In contrast to personal libraries, it is not possible to expand the storage of group libraries by connecting to Nextcloud and it is currently only possible to purchase additional Zotero storage.

The storage extension, which is subject to a charge for group libraries, is currently being tested until 31 December 2025. Please contact literaturverwaltunguni-greifswaldde if you are interested and would like more information.

How does my supervisor gain access to a Zotero collection that I have created for my thesis or dissertation?

If you want to share a Zotero collection with other people, you can do this in various ways:

1. you can create a group library and copy the collection in question into this group library using drag & drop. In your Zotero account, you can define who can access this group library and with what rights (e.g. read access).

2 Alternatively, you can export a Zotero collection and then make it available for import into another Zotero library. Please follow our instructions for this.

Working with Word and PDF

Can I work with Zotero in Word and other word processing programs?

Yes, the Zotero Word add-in is automatically installed with the desktop version. There are also other add-ins, e.g. for LibreOffice.

 

The FAQs are partly based on the FAQ zum Umstieg von Citavi zu Zotero der Technischen Hochschule Nürnberg. The reuse of texts is by kind permission.