Zotero

Collecting, organizing, and citing your references

Importing Files Into Zotero

Zotero can import libraries from other citation managers or systems in the following common file formats:

  • RIS
  • BibTeX
  • MODS
  • RDF
  • PubMed XML
  • Web of Science Tagged

More information on importing various file types:  https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/importing_standardized_formats

Use the Zotero menu File > Import to bring in a file of citations. 

Export from RefWorks into Zotero

Exporting from Legacy RefWorks

  1. In RefWorks, highlight the folder you  want to export, and go to References > Export.
  2. Choose the type for Bibliographic Software (EndNote… etc.)
  3. Save the resulting file – it may have a txt or ris extension.

Exporting from New RefWorks

  1. Go to All References or to the folder you wish to export.
  2. In the upper menu bar, choose Share.
  3. Choose Export References and RIS Format
  4. Save the resulting file – it may have a txt or ris extension.

Importing into Zotero

  1. In Zotero, create a collection (folder) to import the items into. Highlight it so it is the active folder.
  2. Go to File > Import

The references should import.

Note that this will NOT export any PDFs you have saved in your RefWorks account. You can drag those into your Zotero pane from your hard drive to add them back in.

Export from EndNote Basic Into Zotero

Exporting from EndNote Basic

  1. In EndNote, choose Format > Export.
  2. Select the folder or list you wish to export.
  3. Choose the export style RefMan (RIS) Export.
  4. Save the file. It will have a txt or ris extension.

Importing Into Zotero

  1. In Zotero, create a collection (folder) to import the items into. Highlight it so it is the active folder.
  2. Go to File > Import
  3. The references should import.

Note that this will NOT export any PDFs you have saved in your EndNote account. You can drag those into your Zotero pane from your hard drive to add them back in.

Export your Zotero Library

It is easy to export your entire list of Zotero citations to another system.

To export your entire library, click on the gear icon in the Zotero toolbar and select Export Library. Group libraries are not included.

Export your Zotero Library

You will be asked for an export format:

Export Format menu

RIS is s standard citation format shared by EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero.

You can also select an individual collection or individual items, right-click, and choose the Export option to export only a part of your library.

Please note: Import/export is not recommended for transferring entire Zotero libraries between computers, and, if you use Zotero's word processor plugins, links to Zotero items from existing word processor documents will be lost after an export/import. To move your library to a new computer, check these instructions.