Q. How can I use Zotero to create a citation?

Zotero can generate citations that you can paste into other documents. You can generate citations from the Zotero web library, from the desktop app, and from the mobile app. There are instructions for how to do it in each below. You can also generate citations in word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Note on Terminology: when you are generating citations in Zotero, in-text citations such as parenthetical citations and footnotes are called "citations," while the reference citations for a works cited page, bibliography, or reference list are called "bibliography."

Desktop App

1. Go to the source you want to cite and do a secondary click. How to do this will vary based on what device you are using:
   
   1. Windows computer: right click with mouse
   2. Mac computer: press Ctrl while clicking with mouse
   3. Touchscreen: press and hold
   4. Touchpad: press with two fingers
2. In the menu that opens, select "Create Bibliography from Item."
   
3. A new box with options will open.
   
   1. Use the "Citation Style" drop-down menu to select which citation style to use. Click "Manage Styles" if you do not see the style you want in the list.
   2. Select the language you are using in the "Language" drop-down menu.
   3. Under "Output Mode," click next to Citations if you want an in-text citation or click "Bibliography" for a reference citation.
   4. Select "Copy to Clipboard" under "Output Method."
   5. Click OK.
4. You can now paste the citation where you want it to go. You will need to manually add page numbers or other location information.

Web Library

1. In the web library, click the source you want to generate a citation for.
   
2. To generate an in-text citation, click the "Create Citations" icon, which looks like a quotation mark and lines that look like text.
   
   1. In the box that opens, select the citation style and language you want to use from the drop-down menus. If you do not see the citation style you need in the menu, click the link saying "10,400+ other styles available" to search for others.
   2. Click "Copy to Clipboard" and paste the citation where you want it to go.
   3. You will need to manually add page numbers or other location information.
3. To generate a reference citation, click the "Create Bibliography" icon, which looks like a shelf of books.
   
   1. In the box that opens, select the citation style and language you want to use from the drop-down menus. If you do not see the citation style you need in the menu, click the link saying "10,400+ other styles available" to search for others.
   2. Click "Copy to Clipboard" and paste the citation where you want it to go.

Mobile App

1. The first thing you will need to do is select your citation style.
   1. From the list of all your libraries, select the "Settings" icon that looks like a gear.
      
   2. In Settings, select "Cite."
      
   3. Make sure the citation style you want to use is listed. If not, select "Get Additional Styles" to search for the one you want.
   4. Select back to "Settings."
   5. Select "Quick Copy" in the menu.
      
   6. Under "Default Format," select the citation style you want to use.
      
   7. Close "Settings."
2. Select your library and scroll to the source you want to cite.
3. Press and hold the source until a new menu pops up.
   
4. To generate an in-text citation, select "Copy Citation." This will bring up a new box.
   
   1. If you want to include location information, select a location type in the drop-down menu (it will default to page) and then include the location number in the text box.
   2. If you want to not include the author (if you are going to do a narrative citation), toggle the "Omit Author" option.
   3. Click "Copy" and then paste the citation where you want it to go.
5. To generate a reference citation, select "Copy Bibliography" and then paste the citation where you want it to go.