Zotero: Getting Started

Zotero 6 allows you to highlight and annotate PDF documents with its built-in PDF viewer. To open a PDF attached to a Zotero record, simply double-click on the PDF. It will open in a new tab next to your library view. 

Highlights

To highlight text in the PDF, select the "Highlight Text" button (it looks like a pen), mark the text, and select the desired color for the highlight. The highlighted text will automatically be copied into the annotations pane on the left. 

 

Notes

To add a note with your own comments, select the "Add Note" button (it looks like a piece of paper), click into the text where you would like to add the note, and start typing. 

If you need to adjust the page number or range for your note, click on the vertical ellipsis next to your note, select "Edit Page Number," and change it to the appropriate number or range. 

 

Image/Chart Selections

To select a chart or image from the PDF, use the "Select Area" button (it looks like a square within a square) and drag your cursor across the area you would like to screenshot. 

 

Your annotations and notes should be saved automatically. 

To extract annotations from the PDF, return to the library view, select the item record (not the PDF), right-click, and select "Add Note from Annotations." 

 

This will generate a note that copies all of your highlights, notes, and screenshots you have added to the PDF at this time.

If you add additional annotations later, you can repeat this process and generate a new, more complete note if you wish.