On this page, we provide an overview of how to cite sources in Microsoft Word.
Step 1. When writing in Microsoft Word, you can insert in-text citations by first navigating to the "Zotero" tab of the top toolbar. The Microsoft Word plugin is automatically downloaded and installed when you download and install the desktop version of Zotero. If you do not see this option in your Word document, please consult the plugin troubleshooting guide.
Step 2a. Click "Add/Edit Citation" in the Zotero toolbar.
Step 2b. The first time that you insert a citation into a document a window will open, prompting you to specify the citation style preferences for the document. Select the citation style that you would like to use. Certain styles might prompt you to select other options (such as displaying citations as footnotes or endnotes) and advanced options, so be sure to take a look at these.
Note: You can modify the citation style and other document preferences at any time by clicking on the "Document Preferences" button in the Zotero toolbar. It will then bring up the "Document Preferences" box again.
Step 3a. A red-bordered toolbar will then appear for you to search for the citation(s) that you wish to insert. As you type in the toolbar, possible references will list below the bar. You can then click and select the citation.
Step 3b. Once you click a citation, the in-text citation will generate into the red toolbar. You can click a citation to make modifications such as adding page numbers. For additional guidance on customizing citations, please visit the Zotero support documentation. Once you have selected all of the citations that you wish to insert at that particular location in your document, click the right-pointing arrow in the toolbar or click enter.
Step 4. Your in-text citation will appear in the document based on the specified style formatting.
Step 1. To insert the bibliography for the references that you have cited in a Microsoft Word document, navigate to the Zotero tab and click "Add/Edit Bibliography".
Step 2. Zotero will then generate your references list based on the style that you have specified in the document. You can always modify these settings by clicking the "Document preferences" button in the Zotero toolbar.
It is always good practice to check your citations before you submit your document. Any modifications that you make to the citations in the Zotero application or in your document will be updated; you can force an update by clicking "Refresh" in the Zotero toolbar.
