Zotero Basics

It is possible to use both Academic Writer and Zotero but it is not automatic as the two systems can not be synced or merged. If you want to save your references and PDFs in Zotero and use Academic Writer to learn APA and write your paper, you need to:

• In Zotero:
  • Organize your references by folder.
  • It is suggested that you review and edit your references as you organize them.
  • Export the folder using an RIS file.
• In Academic Writer
  • Import the RIS file to your reference library.
  • Double-check that the import was successful and make any necessary changes to the references.
  • Academic Writer doesn't have folders so after import, you should tag your references.
  • Add the references to your paper's reference library

More in-depth directions are listed below. This is just one of the options for using both Academic Writer and Zotero.

Notes: It is recommended that you check your references/citations for accuracy before export. Pay attention to the title, author's first name, doi, and url.

The steps are:

1. Organize the necessary references for your paper into a folder.
2. Right-click on the folder, select Export Collection.
3. In the pop-up window, switch the Format from BibTeX to RIS
4. Click OK and follow your computer prompts to save/download.
5. The RIS file should be in your Downloads folder on your computer.

See the screenshots below for visual directions.

Organize the necessary references for your paper into a folder. Right-click on the folder and select Export Collection.

In the pop-up window, switch the Format from BibTeX to RIS

Click OK and follow your computer prompts to save/download.

The RIS file should be in your Downloads folder on your computer.

Notes: You are responsible for checking the imported citation information for accuracy. Only citation information will be migrated. PDFs of articles will not be migrated to the new citation manager.

1. Click the Import tab
2. Choose RIS file origin: select Zotero
3. Under Upload RIS file - click Choose File and select the file you exported from Zotero
4. Click Submit
5. There will be a progress bar for the import
6. A success message will appear. You may view any records that were not imported properly. You may have to manually add any citations that were not successfully imported.

See the screenshots below for visual directions.

Click the Import tab. Choose RIS file origin: select Zotero. Under Upload RIS file - click Choose File and select the file you exported from Zotero. Click Submit.

There will be a progress bar for the import.

A success message will appear. You may view the imported references to check for accuracy.

1. Go to your paper
2. Click References in the left sidebar
3. Click the Add References to Paper tab
4. Under My References, sort by Dat Added (Newest)
5. Select references
6. Click Add to Paper
7. Click the View Paper Reference List to double check
8. Now you can use the Cite feature when typing in the Body

See the screenshots below for visual directions.

Go to your paper. Click References in the left sidebar. Click the Add References to Paper tab.

Under My References, sort by Dat Added (Newest).

Select references. Click Add to Paper.

Click the View Paper Reference List to double check.