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Zotero: Citation Manager

This guide will help you use the free online citation and research management tool Zotero to organize citations from Library catalogs and databases.

SU Libraries has discontinued its RefWorks license as of July 1, 2025

RefWorks users will have several options:

  • They can migrate to a different citation management tool: Zotero. Zotero is a free, open-source option and will be the citation manager that SU Libraries supports going forward.
  • Other citation managers that users can pursue on their own include Endnote and Mendeley. 

We have some FAQs below. 

FAQs

How do I migrate to Zotero? 

To migrate to another tool, you will first want to export your references from RefWorks. You can choose the format like BibTeX. You can then import them into Zotero. 

To export and import everything all at once, you can follow these steps:

  • Log in to your RefWorks account.
  • Find the "Share" button, and select the "Export references" option.

  • Take note of where that file downloaded; we'll need it shortly.
  • Open Zotero, and select File > Import. Find the file we just downloaded from RefWorks.

The file menu in Zotero with import highlighted.

  • You'll have the option to place these references into a new folder in Zotero. We'd recommend keeping the default settings; click "Next." 
  • It should start the import process. You're all set. 

Will RefWorks references be linked to their attachment (e.g., article PDFs) when I migrate to another citation manager? 

Unfortunately, no. Attachments will need to be exported separately and manually re-linked. Zotero does have a feature to "Find Full Text" if you right click on a citation that you've imported. 

Can I migrate my folder structure? 

No, you will either need to export everything all at once or export citation files one folder at a time and create new collections/folders in Zotero.

Does exporting references from RefWorks delete them from my account? 

No, exporting from RefWorks does not delete them. 

What will happen to my RefWorks data and account after July 1, 2025?

You will have until August 1st, 2025 to evacuate the data from your RefWorks account. 

Have questions?

We're here to help. For example, you can: