Zotero: Chromebooks

Chromebooks don't allow you to install any programs, so you won't be able to use the Zotero client software. If you rely on a Chromebook for researching and writing, you have two options.

Option 1: Install the Linux OS on your Chromebook, then install the Linux version of the Zotero client.

Option 2: If you prefer a less complex option, you can rely on the web-based version of Zotero. The rest of this page includes important tips for Chromebook users.

PROS:

• Technologically simple
• Saving items works just like the Zotero client

CONS:

• Not as flexible as having the Zotero client
• Putting citations & bibliography in your document is manual (copy-paste), not automated

Here's how to use Zotero without installing the Zotero software client. You will still need to install the Zotero extension for Chrome, however!

You'll need to create a free user account at the Zotero.org site. Make sure you are logged into Zotero in one of your browser tabs or windows. 

Click the Zotero icon in your browser toolbar.

You'll get an error message because the Zotero extension can't find the Zotero client. Choose the alternative opton, Enable Saving to Online Library.

You'll need to grant permission for the Zotero web site to talk to your browser. Click Accept Defaults.

Now you'll be able to save items directly to your Zotero web library. The process works the same way as it does with th Zotero client: just click the Zotero icon on your web browser when you want to save an item.

If you're a Chromebook user, you're probably using Google Docs for word processing. Google Docs is compatible with Zotero, but without the full Zotero client software, you must copy-paste citations from your Zotero Web Library into your document.

In your Zotero Web Library, click on the item you want to cite. Then click the "Create Citations" icon. 

Choose the citation style you want (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) then click Copy to Clipboard.

In your document, put your cursor where you want the citation to go, then right-click and choose Paste. (You can also press keys Ctrl + V to paste.)

NOTE: If you need to add a page number for a direct quotation, you must edit the citation manually after you paste it.

NOTE: You can select multiple items to include in your citation. Zotero will put them into alphabetical order, but you must manually delete the extra parentheses after you paste the citation.  

After you insert a citation in your text, it's a good idea to add it to the bibliography (works cited list) at the end of your paper.

Back in your Zotero Web Library, click the item you want to put into the bibliography, then click the Create Bibliography icon.

Choose the citation style you want, then click Copy to Clipboard.

In your document, put your cursor where you want the bibliography entry to go, then right-click and choose Paste. (You can also press keys Ctrl + V to paste.)

NOTE: If you prefer, you can select multiple items at once from your Zotero Web Library, then copy and paste them into your bibliography all at once. Zotero Web Library will put multiple selected items into alphabetical order for you automatically.