Note: Although the following instructions have been written for the Zotero plugin for Microsoft Word, usage of the OpenOffice/NeoOffice plugin is very similar.

After installation of the plugin you should see this row of icons () in your Microsoft Word toolbar. These six buttons allow you to manage references in your Microsoft Word documents. If you do not see them, try checking the “Templates and Add-ins” window. Select “Tools” from the dropdown menu at the top of your screen, pull down to “Templates and Add-ins,” and make sure that the box for Zotero.dot is checked.

When you would like to cite something from your collection click the first button, “Zotero Insert Citation” (). If this is the first citation you have added to the document the Document Preferences window will open. Chose the bibliographic format you would like to use from the list and click OK.

Once you have chosen a format, the “Add Citation” window will pop up. Sort through your collection in this window and select the item you would like to cite. You can add the specific page number in the text box at the bottom of the window.

If you would like to preview the citation click on the button. You will then see the edit citation box at the bottom of the add citation window.

When you click “OK,” you should now see a properly formatted citation in your document.

To generate a bibliography from all the items you have referenced, click the “Zotero Insert Bibliography” button ()

The edit citation () and edit bibliography () buttons allow you to edit citations and bibliographies you have already inserted into your documents. Click inside a citation or bibliography and click either button to edit.

The fifth button, “Zotero Refresh” () updates your references to any changes in your Zotero collection. () will open the Document Preferences window again, allowing you to change your bibliographic style on the fly.

If you run into problems while trying to use the word processor plugins, make sure to check out the word processor plugin troubleshooting page.