The plugin for Mac OS X has been tested with Word X and 2004. To install the plugin, you will first need to download the plugin template file:

Download Mac version (83KB)

Once downloaded, you'll need to open the disk image. You should then see the Zotero.dot file. You will need to copy this file into the startup folder for Microsoft Word: /Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office/Startup/Word. Once you have copied the Zotero.dot file into the startup folder, start (or restart) Microsoft Word to begin using the plugin. Note that after you've installed the .dot file, you can delete the DMG file you downloaded.

Note: Due to significant changes in the way the Mac version of Word 2008 handles plugin's the Zotero Word plug-in is not compatible with the Mac version of Word 2008. We have plans to resolve this issue but because this effectively requires a completely different plugin it will take some time. For the now you will either need to use Zotero's other bibliography generation capabilities or an earlier version of Word.

The plugin for Windows has been tested with Word 2000, 2002 (Office XP), 2003 and 2007 for Windows 2000, XP and Vista. You can install the plugin either using an installer or by hand.

The installer currently supports Windows 2000, XP and Vista and Word 2000 and up. This installer only works with English language versions of Microsoft Word.

Download Windows Installer (119KB, English only)

See the manual installation instructions (all languages).

You should now see this row of icons () in your Microsoft Word toolbar. These four 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 biblography() buttons allow you to edit citations and bibliographies you have already inserted into your documents. Click inside a citation or biblography 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 the Word plugin displays an error saying that you are using incompatible versions of Zotero and the Word plugin, remove Zotero.dot completely from your system and ensure that the Zotero toolbar is gone from Word before attempting to reinstall.
• If you can insert citations into new documents but not existing documents, see the word processor plugin troubleshooting page.