There are different ways to add records to your Zotero library:
Note: Keep Zotero App open while adding records to the Zotero library. To stay organized, create collections (like folders) and place records in the right collection by Drag and Drop.
Please see details below.
Zotero Connector is a browser extension which allows you to save citations in a result page (such as PubMed, Library OneSearch or library subscripted databases like CINAHL) to Zotero with a single click. With Zotero Connector, adding records to Zotero is much easier. If you are not using Zotero Connector, you also have the following options to save records to your Zotero library.
Zotero Connector Preferences explains general, proxy, and advanced Zotero Connector settings.
If you don't use Zotero Connector, you will need to export from the databases (download an IRS file) and then import to Zotero. Zotero can open RIS file (Reference Manager). Most databases can generate an RIS file or a similar file for your search result. After downloading the RIS file, click to open or import to Zotero to save the record in your Zotero library. Here are a few examples:
PubMed
In a search result page, select the records that you want to save, then click "Send to", or click "Send to" to select all results, then click "Create file". A .nbib file will be generated and downloaded in your computer Downloads folder. Open your Zotero library, click File - Import, select the .nbib file in the downloads folder and start to import.
CINAHL (EBSCOhost)
In a search result page, first add the search result to the folder by clicking the folder icon or clicking "Share" to add the results on that page to the folder. Then click "Go to: Folder View". In the new window, select file format: Direct Export in RIS Format (e.g. CITAVI, EasyBib, EndNote, ProCite, Reference Manager, Zotero), download the file and import to Zotero.
Library OneSearch
If you find a book or an article using Library OneSearch, you can download the RIS file by clicking the three dots and selecting Zotero, and then import to Zotero.
If you have downloaded full-text pdf of an article, you may drag and drop the pdf in your Zotero collection. Zotero can detect the citation information, or metadata, then it will add the record in your Zotero library. If it can't add the record, you will add it manually.
If none of the above works to add a record, for example, an old book or article that you can't find it in the library page, or some databases (point of care tools: UpToDate, ClinicalKey) that don't have an export option, or Zotero Connector can't detect any metadata information, you will need to add it manually. To do it, click the green plus icon - New Item (above the middle column in your Zotero library), and select your document type, then fill in the information as needed.
Zotero can add items automatically using their an ISBN number, Digital Object Identifier (DOI), or PubMed ID.
Click the Add Item by Identifier button (
) in the Zotero toolbar, type in the ID number, and hit Enter key. You can even paste or enter (press Shift+Enter for a larger box) a list of such identifiers at once.
