Librarian
Troubleshooting & FAQs
This page includes common questions that arise when using Zotero and Mendeley. Toggle between the Zotero and Mendeley tabs, below.
Not finding an answer to your question? Reach out to EIU Booth Librarian Kirstin Duffin, kduffin@eiu.edu, or view the Need help? page on this guide.
Zotero
Q: Why won't the Word plugin install using Office 365 online?
A: Zotero will only work with the downloaded version of Office 365, not the web version. Click to Install Office and then download Office 365 Apps to your computer. See the image below:
Q: Why won't the Word plugin install using the downloaded Office 365 Word app?
A: In the Zotero app on your computer:
- Click the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
- In Preferences, choose Cite and click over to the Word Processors tab.
- Click "Install Microsoft Word Add-in."
If this doesn't work, try going through the process once more.
Video demonstrating this process:
Q: How do I save a source to a particular collection in my Zotero library using the Zotero Connector?
A: You must add a new collection in the Zotero app before you are able to add items to that collection using the Zotero Connector. Here’s how to add a new collection:
Zotero Connector will automatically save to whichever collection is selected in your Zotero Library. Alternatively, choose the collection you wish to save to by browsing within Zotero Connector, such as in the illustration below.
Q: Will Zotero work on my Chromebook?
A: Access your Zotero library by logging into your account at Zotero.org. Save items to your library using the browser plugin, Zotero Connector. Create formatted citations and bibliographies using Google Docs as your word processor; the Zotero plugin for Google Docs automatically installs when you download the Zotero Connector.
Advanced users: View the Zotero documentation for Installing on a Chromebook. (This involves setting up Linux on your computer.)
Q: How do I include a URL in my bibliography but not in my note? (I'm using the Chicago full note citation style.)
A: In your Zotero library, rather than putting the URL in the URL field of your source citation, add it as a Note on the separate Note tab. Then, in Word, add the URL to your bibliography using the Add/Edit Bibliography button. Here’s a short video demonstrating this process:
Mendeley
Q: Why won't the Word plugin install using Office 365 online?
A: Mendeley will only work with the downloaded version of Office 365, not the web version. Click to Install Office and then download Office 365 Apps to your computer. See the image below:
