Can't find Zotero's citation tools in Word? The Word add-in comes with Zotero and installs automatically when supported desktop Word is already installed. Here's how to connect the apps, insert your first citation, and bring back a missing Zotero tab.
Start with desktop Zotero and Word
For live citations you can update through Zotero, use desktop Word on Windows or Mac. Word Online and Word for iPad do not support the integration.
Install desktop Word first if you don't already have it. Get it from Microsoft's Word product page or through a Microsoft 365 plan that includes desktop applications. Download Zotero for Windows or macOS from the official download page, then install Zotero.
Launch Zotero to install its bundled Word add-in automatically, then restart Word. Look for the Zotero tab in the ribbon. That's where you'll find the citation and bibliography commands.
Skip old tutorials that tell you to download a separate Firefox Word plugin. The integration is already included in Zotero.
Add your first citation and bibliography
Keep Zotero desktop running while you work in Word. Place your cursor where you want the citation, then select Zotero → Add/Edit Citation in Word. Search for a source in your Zotero library and select the source.
Press Enter on Windows or Return on Mac to insert it. Move your cursor to where you want the reference list, then select Add/Edit Bibliography to generate it.
Tip: Use Document Preferences to change the citation style and Refresh to update citations.
Restore a missing Zotero tab
An add-in that hasn't installed or loaded leaves Word without its Zotero tab. Close Word before reinstalling the add-in. In Zotero, open Edit → Settings on Windows, or Zotero → Settings on Mac. Open Cite and scroll down to Word Processors.
Click Reinstall Microsoft Word Add-in, or Install Microsoft Word Add-in if Zotero reports the add-in isn't currently installed. Restart Word. If the tab is still missing on Windows, open File → Options → Add-Ins. Set Manage to Word Add-ins, then click Go.
On the Templates tab, check Zotero.dotm under Global templates and add-ins. For a disabled Windows template, return to File → Options → Add-ins. Set Manage to Disabled Items, then click Go….
Select Zotero.dotm, then click Enable. On Mac, open Tools → Templates and Add-ins in Word. Check Zotero.dotm under Global Templates and Add-ins.
Give Zotero permission to control Word on Mac
If Zotero cannot control Word on macOS 13 Ventura or later, check its Automation permission. This setting gives Zotero access to control Word.
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation. Expand Zotero and enable Microsoft Word. Restart Word, then try Zotero → Add/Edit Citation again.
On macOS 15 Sequoia, choose Allow when Zotero requests access to other apps' data during template installation. If you previously denied that request, restart Zotero. Open Zotero → Settings → Cite → Word Processors.
Click Reinstall Microsoft Word Add-in or Install Microsoft Word Add-in. Choose Allow when the access request appears again.
Install the Word template manually
If reinstalling through Zotero fails, copy the bundled Zotero.dotm template into Word's active Startup folder. Copy it, don't move the original.
On Windows, check the destination in Word under File → Options → Advanced → General → File Locations → Startup. The standard location is %AppData%\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP.
Close Word, then in File Explorer, open C:\Program Files\Zotero\integration\word-for-windows. Copy Zotero.dotm into the Startup folder you confirmed.
For a Mac installation, close Word. Open Finder and press Cmd+Shift+G. Open /Applications/Zotero.app/Contents/Resources/integration/word-for-mac.
Copy Zotero.dotm into ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Word. If Word uses a custom Startup location, use that confirmed destination instead.
Restart Word to load the template. After plugin updates, repeat the manual installation when the template needs updating.
If manual installation fails because the integration folder is empty, reinstall Zotero to restore the template. If work or school restrictions prevent copying it, ask IT to correct the folder permissions or installation restrictions.
Paste Zotero references into Word Online or on iPad
For Word Online or Word for iPad, paste formatted references as ordinary text. These citations won't receive automatic Zotero updates.
In Zotero desktop, choose your citation style under Settings → Export. Select the library items you want to use. Choose Edit → Copy Bibliography for a reference list, or Edit → Copy Citation for citations. Paste the copied text into Word.
Without Zotero desktop, sign into your Zotero web library. On a mobile browser, enable item selection first, then select your references.
Select the bibliography icon in the toolbar. On mobile browsers, it's in the bottom toolbar. Choose your citation style, then select Copy to clipboard.
Paste the formatted references into Word. For live, updatable citations, use desktop Word with the Zotero add-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to connect my Microsoft account to Zotero?
No. Local Word integration uses Zotero desktop and its bundled add-in without account linking. Zotero account syncing is optional.
How do I use references saved in my Zotero web or mobile library?
In Zotero desktop, open Settings → Sync → Data Syncing. Enter your Zotero account credentials. Leave Sync automatically enabled, or click Sync with zotero.org on the right side of the Zotero toolbar. Once the library downloads, its references are available through the Word add-in.
Can I browse my library instead of searching in the citation bar?
Yes. In the citation dialog, select Library mode in the bottom right to browse your collections. Zotero opens in the last mode you used; to always open in Library mode, set Citation Dialog Mode to Library Mode in Zotero's Cite settings.
What happens if I choose Unlink Citations?
Your Zotero citations become ordinary text and lose automatic updates. Save a separate final copy before selecting Zotero → Unlink Citations so you retain the original document with live citations.