Connect Zotero to Write&Cite
Write&Cite accesses your Zotero library through the Zotero Web API. Two credentials from your Zotero account are required: a User ID and an API key. The steps below explain how to obtain both.
User ID
A seven- or eight-digit number, for example 8451308. It identifies your Zotero library.
API key
An alphanumeric string that authorises access to your library. Zotero displays it once.
Record both credentials before closing Zotero
Zotero displays a new API key once, immediately after it is saved, and provides no way to retrieve it afterwards. Record the key together with your User ID and store both securely, for example in a password manager. Both values are required each time Zotero is connected to Write&Cite.
- 01
Log in at zotero.org
Open zotero.org/user/login and sign in to the account that holds your library. If you do not have an account, register first. Registration is free, and the same account is used by the Zotero desktop application.
zotero.org/user/login - 02
Open Settings, then Security
Select your account name in the top-right corner and choose Settings. In the sidebar, select Security. Both credentials are found on this page.
Settings → Security - 03
Copy your User ID
Scroll to the Applications section. The line beneath the button reads “Your user ID for use in API calls is …”, followed by a seven- or eight-digit number. This is your User ID. Copy it.
Applications section, with the User ID above the table of keys - 04
Create a new private key
Select Create new private key. Enter a name for the key, for example Write&Cite, so that it can be identified later if it needs to be revoked.
Settings → Security → New Key - 05
Enable the library permissions
Under Personal Library, enable Allow library access, Allow notes access, and Allow write access. Library access is required for citation, notes access imports annotations, and write access allows Write&Cite to save new sources to Zotero.
Personal Library permissions - 06
Set group permissions and save
Under Default Group Permissions, select Read/Write for All Groups so that shared group libraries are also accessible. Select Save Key at the bottom of the page.
Read/Write for All Groups, then Save Key - 07
Copy the API key
The key is displayed immediately after it is saved and cannot be retrieved afterwards. Copy it and store it with your User ID. If the key is lost, delete it under Settings → Security and create a replacement.
- 08
Enter both values in Write&Cite
In the editor, open the citations panel and enter your User ID and API key. Write&Cite validates them against Zotero, after which your libraries and collections are available on the Library tab.
Credential storage
The API key is stored in this browser only. It is not saved on the Alekhni server and is not included in the data that syncs to your teacher. Clearing browser data, or signing in on a different device, requires entering the User ID and API key again.
The key can be revoked at any time from Settings → Security on zotero.org. Deleting the key disconnects Write&Cite and does not alter your Zotero library.