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Zotero for Mac: Installation

Zotero is a free application that can collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research.

 

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You will need to install two things.  Zotero and the Chrome connector work together.

You also will need either Microsoft Word or Google Docs.  Zotero will not work with Pages.

STEP 1

 

- DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL ZOTERO FOR MAC -

The Zotero icon: A large red letter Z on a white background with 4 multicolor tabs simulating Post It notes. The lower right corner of the rounded square background looks like a page being turned.

Click the link above to go to the Zotero website.  On the Zotero website, click the download button.  A .dmg Zotero file will appear in your downloads as shown below.  Double click the .dmg file to begin the installation process.

Mac downloads showing a Zotero .dmg file.

Next, you will see this pop up window.  Click and hold on the Zotero icon and drag it to the folder on the right.

The pop up window showing Zotero on the left and the applications folder on the right. "Drag here to install."

You will see a Zotero icon like this on your desktop.  Click and hold on it and drag it to the trash.  It's basically the empty "shipping box".

Small rectangular silver colored Zotero icon.

Congratulations!  You just installed Zotero on your Mac!

Now you can find and open Zotero from Spotlight, Launchpad, or the Applications folder and add it to your Dock like any other application.

Spotlight icon is a magnifying glass in the top desktop tool bar.

Spotlight is at the top of your desktop screen near the right-hand corner.

Launchpad icon is a 3 by 3 grid of tiny multicolor squares that will appear in your dock.

Launchpad is in your Dock.

Applications icon is a stylized letter A and the word, "applications."

The Applications link is in the left-hand sidebar that appears when double clicking any Mac folder.

STEP 2

 

- DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE CONNECTOR FOR CHROME -

Why do I need a connector?

Zotero uses a connector to scan an item's metadata (embedded information about that item) and identify different types of items as you browse library databases or the internet.  Installing the Chrome connector puts a Zotero capture icon on Chrome's toolbar (shown below underlined in green).  Clicking the Zotero capture icon allows you to save items to Zotero.

Click the link above to go to the Zotero website.  On the Zotero website, click the Install Chrome Connector button to install the Chrome connector.

The capture icon (a grey rectangle) to the left of Chrome's extensions icon (puzzle piece).

If your installation of the Chrome connector is successful, you will see the Zotero capture icon (a rectangle, a folder, or sometimes a letter Z) immediately to the left of Chrome's extension icon (frequently described as looking like a jigsaw puzzle piece but it also bears some resemblance to a dented cardboard box).  It will always be in this spot.  The Zotero capture icon will change appearance to match the type of content (book, article, website, list of items, etc.) it senses.  The example above shows the appearance for a website.

STEP 3

 

- TO BEGIN CAPTURING ITEMS -

Once installed, the Zotero connector senses and identifies the type of content everywhere you go, but in order to capture items, Zotero must be open.

The Zotero icon as seen on the dock with a tiny black square under it.

HINT: If Zotero is open, it will appear in your Dock.

The tiny black dot underneath the logo means that Zotero is active.

CHANGE A CHROME CONNECTOR SETTING

 

- OPTIONAL BUT USEFUL -

Following these steps will eliminate a problem with a confusing message that shows up when Zotero encounters a proxy server.

1.  Click Chrome's extension icon (green arrow below).  In the pop-up window, click the Zotero Connector three-dots menu (underlined in green below).

Chrome's extensions icon with green arrow pointing to it. Chrome's extensions pop-up window listing Adobe Acrobat and Zotero Connector each of which have a 3-dot menu icon.

 

2.  In the next pop-up window, click Options (underlined in green below).

Pop-up window for the Zotero Connector showing these choices: Options (underlined in green), Remove from Chrome, Manage Extension, and View Web Permissions.

 

3.  In the next pop-up window, click Proxies, then unclick Enable proxy redirection (both of these underlined in green below).

The Proxy Settings pop-up window. Left side: Proxies menu underlined in green. Right side: Checkbox for Enable proxy redirection underlined in green.

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