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Zotero: SYNCHRONIZE YOUR ZOTERO LIBRARY

Developed by the Center for History and New Media at the George Mason University, Virginia, Zotero is an open source easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources.

What is Synchronizing "Sync"

If you're regularly using more than one computer for your research, Zotero's sync feature can keep your collections, files, notes up to date.  Zotero can store a copy of your library on the Zotero.org server and check it for updates whenever you open your library on a different computer  You can also always access your research from any web browser with a computer running the same version of Zotero.

Follow the steps below to sync your Zotero collections on multiple computers.

1. Create a Zotero account.

  • Set up a free Zotero account:
  • Create Username and Password for your Zotero library.

2. Set up your Zotero preferences

  • In Zotero, click on the "Edit" tab
  • Scroll down to "Preferences"
  • Select the Sync option.
  • Enter the Username and Password you created on your Zotero library.
  • Select "Sync automatically" option.
  • Check both boxes under File Syncing and choose Zotero storage for My Library. This will sync your PDF attachments as well as citations.

  • Zotero will upload your library to the server.
  • Repeat this configuration on each of your computers.  Any updates you make on one of your computers will be reflected on the others. This even works to synchronize your library among Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
  • More about Syncing.