The easiest way to add sources to your Zotero library while conducting research is by using the web connector. You can find it in your browser next to any other extensions that you use. It may be hard to locate at first – it changes appearance based on what type of page you are viewing.
1. Open Zotero
If you don't have Zotero open when trying to save items from the connector, you will see an error message.
2. Open your source page in your browser
3. Look in your browser for the Zotero extension and click on the extension icon
A little window will pop up to show that it is saving to your library. If you want to change where the source is saving (like straight to one of your folders), you can click the 'My Library' dropdown and change the save location.
4. Return to Zotero and make sure the source saved and saved properly
Make sure that Zotero pulled all the correct details for this one. It uses this information to generate your citations, so you want to ensure everything looks good now, before moving on to the next source!
5. If needed, edit any details by clicking on each field on the record item
6. If needed, you can change the item type
Sometimes the connector saves a source as the wrong type. You can choose the correct option from the 'Item Type' dropdown. This will change the record fields to reflect the different item type.
1. Find where a PDF is saved on your computer
2. Drag and drop that document into Zotero!
If you've uploaded something like an editable PDF (a PDF where you can highlight the text), Zotero may pull out all the data for you, like it did here!
If this worked, you're all set. If this didn't work...
3. Right click on the PDF entry, then select 'Create Parent Item'
4. Click 'Manual Entry'
5. You can now edit the empty entry yourself!
1. Find the green 'plus' button at the top center of your Zotero library
2. Click the button and choose your source type
Select 'More' if your source type isn't listed in those first options.
3. Fill in the source entry details
