Using Zotero with LibreOffice Writer: Frequently Asked Questions

Using Zotero with LibreOffice Writer: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is zotero?

Answer: According to libguides.northwestern.edu/zotero, zotero is a free bibliographic manager that is usable with the Firefox web browser, or, is now available in a standalone version that allows you to use Zotero with other web browsers. With Zotero you can: Store references in one place. Visit the zotero.org website to know more about zotero.

2. Where can I download the zotero installer? Is it free?

Answer: Zotero is free. It can be downloaded from zotero.org website. In the website, you will see the red ‘download now’ button. Click this button and this will lead you to two options – Zotero for Firefox or Zotero Standalone. Obviously, the first one is for those who are using the Firefox browser, while the standalone version is fits for those who are using Google Chrome as their browser. Click the ‘download’ button and after that, run the installer. And there you have it.

3. How can I use zotero once I installed it?

Answer: In my case, I installed the zotero standalone since Google Chrome is my browser. Once you already have installed zotero, you need to install also the browser extension. Just click for ‘chrome’ and this will lead you to the chrome web store with the sub-window ‘zotero connector’ already open and click the green button ‘add to chrome’. Once successful, the chrome extension of zotero is now added. You can check that by seeing an additional icon at the upper right of your chrome window.

Also, you need to install the zotero plugin for LibreOffice. At the zotero homepage, look below for the option ‘Extend Zotero’ and click for ‘Plugins for Microsoft Word and LibreOffice’. After that, look for the LibreOffice download link. Once downloaded, run the file and there you have it.

4. How can I manage bibliography with zotero standalone?

Answer: If you are dealing with PDF files, open the zotero standalone and drag you PDF files in the center of the window. You can also save online references. This can be done while browsing, you can click the ‘save to zotero’ icon and your references will be save to zotero once that icon is clicked.

But take note that for PDF files dragged inside the zotero window, there is a need yet to retrieve the information of that file. Right click that file and then click for ‘Retrieve Metadata for PDF’. However, retrieving data is limited only to those files that are electronically saved with the file information in it. Retrieving metadata needs additional tools to be installed, just follow the commands that will follows next.

5. How can I insert citation in my LibreOffice Writer document?

Answer: In the upper menu of you LibreOffice Writer, the zotero plug-in can be seen (assuming it is installed already). Look and click for ‘insert citation’, and use for APA format. A small window will appear where you will select the reference you want to cite, and there you have it.

6. How can I insert bibliography in my LibreOffice Writer document?

Answer: once finished inserting with all the citations, you can add the full references section of your document by clicking the ‘insert bibliography’ button. All of your references will pop out arranged accordingly.


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