FAQ – Frequently asked questions about citation styles, Zotero and CSL
How can I install the style(s) in Zotero?
Immediately after purchasing the product, you will receive an email containing your licence, as well as detailed instructions on how to install the Citation Styler Client Sync and use your licence. You can also find these here: Citation Styler Client Sync – Setup & Use
Will I receive updates when I have purchased a style?
Absolutely. It's extremely important for me that your citations and bibliographies are correct. With May '26 I've developed a new system to distribute my styles, the Citation Styler Client Sync. Therefore, if you bought a product before that, please send me a message by replying to the confirmation email when you bought the product. I'll then be able to manually create a liceense for you that you can then use to update your style(s).
Is the payment secure?
Yes, payment in our shop is secure. We use Stripe and PayPal, two of the world's most reputable payment providers, to process your transactions. Both companies use state-of-the-art security technologies to protect your data and prevent fraud.
I have found an error in the style. How can I report it?
Please first check once again whether the metadata in your reference program is entered correctly. In most cases there is an error with the data entry and not with the style itself. If the error still exists Get in touch, preferably with the following information: Name of the style, screenshot of Word and screenshot of the metadata in Zotero/Mendeley etc.
There is a new version of the guidelines. Can I report this to you?
Yes, please! Unfortunately, I am dependent on you students to inform me when there are new guidelines, as these are often only accessible via the intranet. In such cases I would be grateful if you could send me an email to info@citationstyler.com . Normally, I have a new style available within a day, if necessary.
The footnote numbering is not superscript. How can I change this?
Footnotes are managed by Word/LibreOffice etc. The following guide shows how to style your footnotes Please seek out program-specific help, as this has nothing to do with the citation style.
I haven't found the style I need on your site. Can you provide me with a new style?
Sure. I would be happy to see if I can add another style to the range. Please fill out the following form: made-to-measure citation style
Why do you recommend Zotero and not other reference managers?
Zotero is a very sophisticated piece of software with excellent support and a very helpful community. All common platforms and word processors are supported. Very advanced features are available that no other software has. Zotero has now set itself apart from the competition and is also free of charge. Furthermore Zotero has the CSL language and library, which allows citation styles like the ones I offer here.
Wich programs support your .csl styles?
As I have now switched from a download product to a licence-based system, which requires a Zotero plugin, my .csl citation styles now only work with Zotero. If you still need a style for another CSL-compatible programme, please send me a Message.
My citation styles definitely don’t work with EndNote or Citavi, though.
Do your .csl styles work with Mac, Windows and Linux?
Zotero is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Therefore, yes!
How can I enter the "cf." in a quotation?
With the Zotero Word Processor plugin, this is very easy using the prefix field. See here: https://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_usage
Do your styles work with "Mendeley"?
Generally, yes, as Mendeley also uses the CSL style library. In 2020, however, Elsevier has released a new version, the so-called Mendeley Reference Manager+Mendeley Cite. However, this cannot yet install/use custom styles or footnote styles. I therefore recommend either using "Mendeley Desktop" (the older version) or switching directly to Zotero. Zotero is much more intuitive to use and has much better support. See this guide to migrate your library to try Zotero directly: https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/mendeley_import
As I now provide my citation styles via a plugin and licence, my styles only work with Zotero.
Do the styles work with Citavi or EndNote?
No. CSL citation styles neither work with EndNote nor Citavi.
Where can I read reviews/ratings from other customers?
Some customers have already left reviews here on TrustPilot and Google Maps .
If you have the time and inclination, I would be very grateful if you could also share your opinion. This will not only help me to improve my products and service, but also other academics in their purchasing decisions. Thanks in advance!
I bought the wrong style. Can I request a refund?
Since I have no mechanism to take back the delivered product with a digital download product, my citation styles are excluded from returns. See my return policy.
All of a sudden, my bibliography isn't formatted correctly anymore. Help!
The formatting of the bibliography (i.e. justification, indentation, spacing etc.) is managed by Word itself, not by the citation style. Word uses the so-called ‘formatting styles’ for this purpose (e.g. Heading, Normal, Title etc.). Sometimes it can happen that everything gets out of place. The easiest way to undo this is to change the citation style once (e.g. APA or IEEE) and then switch back to the desired style. This will more or less reset the formatting stzle and usually helps.
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