Q. How do I use collections in Zotero?

Zotero collections let you organize your citations into a folder system. Here's how to create and use collections in the desktop app, web library, and mobile app. 

Desktop App

1. Click My Library or a group library to create a collection. Click an existing collection if you want to create a new subcollection in it
2. Click the New Collection icon, which looks like a folder with a plus sign.
   
3. In the box that opens, enter a name in the text box. In the "Create in" menu, select My Library if you want it to be a main collection, or select a another collection if you would like it to be a subcollection. Then click "Create Collection."
   
4. To add an existing citation to the collection, you have two options:
   1. For option 1, click the citation and drag it to the collection you want to add it to.
      
   2. For option 2, click the citation you want to put in a collection.
      1. In the right panel, scroll to "Libraries and Collections" or click the "Libraries and Collections" icon, which looks like a folder in front of a building with columns.
         
      2. In "Libraries and Collections," click "Add."
         
      3. In the list that opens, select the Collection you want to add the citation to.
         
      4. You can repeat this process to add the citation to more collections.
5. To add a new citation to the collection:
   1. Select the collection in your library.
   2. Follow the instructions for adding a citation with the Connector, by identifier, or manually. The new citation will be added to that collection.

Web Library

1. Select the Add Collection (plus sign) icon next to My Library.
   
2. Enter the name of the new collection and press enter.
   
3. To make it a subcollection: click and drag the collection into another collection.
4. To add an existing citation to the collection:
   1. Click the citation in your library.
   2. Select the Add to Collection icon, which looks like a folder with a plus sign.
      
   3. In the box that opens, select the triangle icon next to My Library or a group library to open a list of collections.
   4. Click the collection you want to add your citation to.
      
   5. Click Add.
5. To add a new citation to the collection:
   1. Select the collection in your library.
   2. Follow the instructions for adding a citation by identifier or manually. The new citation will be added to that collection.

Mobile App

Screenshots from the Zotero iOS app on an iPhone.

1. Start in your library and select the plus icon on the top right.
   
2. In the box that opens, enter the name of your new collection.
   
3. In the drop-down menu, select "My Library" to save the collection or select another collection from the list if you want to save it as a subcollection.
4. Select "Save" to create the collection.
5. To add an existing citation to the collection:
   1. Find the citation in All Items.
   2. Press and hold the citation until a box opens.
   3. Select "Add to Collection."
      
   4. In the new page, check the circle next to every collection you want to add the citation to.
      
   5. Select "Add" in the top right.
6. To add a new citation to the collection:
   1. Select the collection in your library.
   2. Follow the instructions for adding a citation by identifier or manually. The new citation will be added to that collection.