Zotero and APA 7: build your bibliography automatically
Quick answer
Zotero is a free reference manager that stores your sources and builds APA 7 citations and bibliographies. You install the program, add a browser connector to capture sources in one click, and use its Word and Google Docs plugin to insert citations.
What does Zotero do?
Zotero saves the sources you find, organizes them in folders and builds citations and bibliographies in the style you choose. It works with Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs.
How do I start?
- Download and install Zotero from its official site.
- Install the connector for your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari).
- Open a source (article, book, web page) and click the connector icon. The item saves itself.
- In the program, open Edit, Settings, Cite and confirm the style American Psychological Association 7th edition.
How do I insert citations in Word?
The plugin adds a Zotero tab with Add/Edit Citation and Add/Edit Bibliography. Choose a source, insert the citation and, at the end, generate the bibliography. It updates if you change an item.
And in Google Docs?
Install the Zotero connector for Google Docs and use the Zotero menu in the document. The flow is the same: insert citation, generate bibliography.
What should I check in the bibliography?
Automatic capture fails with group authors, web page dates and title capitalization. Fix those fields in the item before submitting. For each source type, use the reference guides.
Checklist
- Zotero and connector installed
- APA 7th edition style selected
- Items reviewed: author, date, title
- Bibliography updated before submitting
Frequently asked questions
Is Zotero free?
Yes. The program and its core features are free. Zotero also offers paid extra cloud storage, which you do not need to manage your sources, add citations in Word and generate a bibliography.
Does Zotero support APA 7?
Yes, it includes the APA 7th edition style. Pick it in the citation preferences before you insert citations. Still check the output, since it depends on each source's data being captured correctly.
What do I do when Zotero captures a source wrongly?
Open the item and correct the fields by hand: author, date, title and site. An error in the item repeats in every citation, so fixing it once fixes them all.