Knowledge: Instructions, plugins and workflows for academic work
Here you will find useful articles and tips on the topics of academic writing, citation, bibliography, Zotero and more.
ZotSeek: Semantic Search for Your Zotero Library – Entirely Local
ZotSeek enhances Zotero with semantic search: find papers by meaning rather than by keywords, jump straight to the relevant section of text, and open your library to AI agents via the MCP server. Everything runs locally, without an API key and without a subscription.
The future after Juris-M: A plugin brings legal citations back to Zotero
The Zotero fork Juris-M no longer synchronises and is considered abandoned. However, there are new developments: a new plugin is bringing jurisdictions, legal styles and parallel citations back to the current version of Zotero – still in alpha, but at an astonishing pace. What Juris-M users should know and do now.
IU citation style in Zotero: APA 7 with IU-specific adaptations
The IU Citation Guide is based on APA 7 – but deliberately deviates from it in many places. In this blog post, you’ll find out which special rules apply and how to apply them correctly in Zotero.
Beaver: The AI research assistant that lives right inside Zotero
Beaver is an AI research assistant that lives directly within Zotero as a side panel. You can search papers, get explanations of text passages and graphics, correct metadata, and organise your library automatically – all without leaving Zotero. A detailed look at its features, costs, and why native integration makes all the difference.
Harvard citation style at the University of Manchester: How to automate your citations in Zotero
The University of Manchester has its own Harvard guidelines, which differ from other Manchester styles in the Zotero Style Repository. In this post, you’ll find out what matters and how a specially developed CSL citation style can save you days of formatting work.
The top Zotero extensions I can't live without
Want to get even more out of Zotero? Here are my top recommendations for Zotero plugins.
MCP and Zotero: an overview of available tools
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) enables Zotero to be connected directly to AI assistants such as Claude or ChatGPT. There are now numerous projects that implement this, ranging from lightweight Python servers and Zotero plugins to hosted cloud services. We present all the latest Zotero MCP solutions and show which project suits which workflow.
Which software supports CSL citation styles? A complete list of compatible tools
CSL – Citation Style Language – is supported by over 50 tools, from Zotero and pandoc to WordPress plugins. You can find the complete list of all compatible programmes here.
Zotero & APOLLON University: how to cite correctly
Learn how to use Zotero at APOLLON University: setup, CSL citation style installation, and tips for avoiding common mistakes.
From Juris-M to cite-non-english: a new alternative for multilingual Zotero
How the cite-non-english plugin replaces Juris-M and, for the first time, enables clean multilingual citations, especially CJK citations, directly in Zotero.
Making Zotero citations clickable in Word: The ZoteroCiteLinker add-in
The ZoteroCiteLinker add-in makes Zotero citations in Word clickable and automatically links URLs in the bibliography. Simply via your menu bar.
The best AI tools for scientific research (alternatives to ChatGPT)
AI tools such as ChatGPT are helpful, but there are specialised alternatives for scientific research. This article shows you the best AI research tools, such as OpenSciLM, Scholar Labs, Elicit, Consensus & Co., and explains which tool is suitable for which research step.
Zotero, Mendeley, Citavi, EndNote & co. head-to-head comparision
Which literature management system is right for you? Comparison of Zotero, Mendeley, Citavi, EndNote, Paperpile, Papers and Logically – including styles, support and future-proofing.
9 tips to work faster and cleaner with Zotero
Zotero can save you a tremendous amount of time in your academic work – if you use it correctly. In this article, you will find 9 tried and tested Zotero tips from real-world experience.
Why Zotero adds letters like ‘a’ or ‘b’ in the year (and how to fix it)
Why does 2001 suddenly become 2001a? Find out why Zotero adds letters to the year and how you can solve the problem by merging entries correctly.
Citing correctly with Zotero
Literature research and citation according to German citation style done right, thanks to Zotero and CSL citation template. Here I show you how to do it.
How do I add extra sources to my bibliography with Zotero?
Sometimes in Zotero, you need to add sources to your bibliography that have not been directly cited, such as the book containing a specific chapter. Here, I will show you how to do this easily.
Complex Zotero workflow automation: a client case study
How a non-profit organisation automated their citation workflow with Zotero - a case study
Zotero not working? Let an expert help you
Find out how I can help you with your academic reference management, Zotero and citation styles.
How do I install a custom .csl citation style in Zotero?
Learn how to install a custom .csl citation style in Zotero - whether received from a publisher or purchased from my shop. Step-by-step instructions including verification in Word's document preferences!
Can CSL citation styles be used with EndNote or Citavi?
Find out in this article whether EndNote and Citavi .csl support citation styles.
How to change the font of Zotero bibliographies in Word and LibreOffice
Learn how to set the font of Zotero bibliographies and footnotes in Word or LibreOffice. A compact guide for a professional document layout.
How to link Zotero citations in Word to the bibliography and make them clickable
Link Zotero citations in Word with the bibliography: The ZoteroLinkCitation macro makes your academic work more interactive and clearer.
AI and Zotero: an overview of the best plugins
AI plugins can add valuable functions to Zotero - from optimised literature suggestions to interactive PDF analysis. Find out how ARIA, ZoteroChat and other tools can support the scientific workflow.
Show last author in Zotero thanks to ‘Zotero Better Authors’ plugin
With the Zotero plugin ‘Better Authors’ you can display the last author/PI in your library. Find out how this function makes your scientific research for specific labs easier and provides a better overview.
How to change the footnote numbers in Microsoft Word
Many Zotero users ask themselves how they can change the style of footnote numbering - but this function is set directly in Microsoft Word. In this article, I'll show you how to customise the numbering of your footnotes in Word.
Using Zotero with Obsidian: Step-by-step guide (including plugins)
Optimise your academic work! Learn how to connect Zotero to Obsidian, set up the plugin, and import your first note.
Zoplicate: The easy way to recognise and delete duplicates in Zotero
Zoplicate is a powerful Zotero plugin that efficiently recognises and merges duplicate entries. It offers advanced duplicate detection and saves time when managing large literature databases.
Scientific work according to Theisen Citation style: widely used, but often modified
The Theisen citation style is standard at many universities, but deviations in the guidelines often lead to uncertainties. Find out more about this topic in this blog.
How can I change a name/word/title... in my entire Zotero database?
Learn how to change all entries in Zotero at once by using the Zotero Search & Replace Script. A simple guide to using the script for efficient reference management.
ZotFile alternative for Zotero 7+: This add-on replaces the popular tool
With the update to Zotero 7, the popular ZotFile add-on is no longer compatible. But don't worry! There are 2 promising alternatives that fill the ZotFile gap. In this blog post, you can find out what has changed in Zotero 7 and which add-ons will help you to continue managing your PDFs efficiently.
Zotero 7 is here. A huge step forward for the popular reference manager.
Zotero 7 is finally here! Performance improvements, a new look and much more. Find out all about the latest features here.
Zotero warns: "You have edited your citations..."
You have received the Zotero message ‘You have made changes to this citation after it was created by Zotero. Do you want to keep your changes and prevent future updates?’ from Zotero? Here you can find out how to solve this problem.
How to report the statistical results in your thesis (guest article)
Master the art of presenting statistical results in your thesis. Learn how to present your results clearly, concisely and in a way that is easy for your readers to understand.
About the popularity of citation software. Trends over the last 20 years.
Comparison of citation software: Which tool is the best for your academic work? We analyse the development of Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, JabRef and Citavi and show you which program is currently in vogue.
Zotero is acting up? How to avoid common citation problems
Zotero acting up? Learn how to avoid citation errors, choose the right style, and manage your sources optimally – for error-free bibliographies!
How to unlink Zotero citations in Word
Do you need to remove all traces of Zotero to submit a paper or thesis? Here's how.
How do I find the correct citation style?
Citation styles under control: Your comprehensive guide to academic references and citation styles
Correct literature research and citation with Zotero at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW)
Are you studying at the DHBW and your next term paper is due? Here I'll show you how to make your life easier thanks to Zotero and the correct citation style.
Editing a CSL citation style for Zotero and Mendeley: step-by-step instructions
Learn how to customise a CSL citation style in Zotero or Mendeley step by step – including tips on the style editor, XML code and common sources of error.
German citation style: Cite correctly with Zotero
Literature research and citation according to German citation style done right, thanks to Zotero and CSL citation template. Here I show you how to do it.
Correct literature research and citations at the FOM University of Applied Sciences with Zotero
Master literature research and citation at the FOM with Zotero! Easily organise your sources and automatically generate citations and bibliographies.
Using Zotero and CSL citation styles
Zotero and CSL citation styles.
In this guide, you will learn how to use Zotero and citation styles effectively.
Advantages of CSL & Zotero
CSL in combination with Zotero allows you to cite correctly and create your bibliography. Here you can find out why this combo is so powerful.
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