Manage References With LetX: Zotero → Bibliography
Export a .bib file from Zotero and cite it in LaTeX with \cite{} for an auto-formatted bibliography. Here's the full Zotero-to-LaTeX workflow, step by step.
To use Zotero references in LaTeX, export your library as a .bib file and cite entries by key with \cite{} — LaTeX then builds an auto-formatted bibliography. With the Better BibTeX plugin, the .bib stays in sync with Zotero automatically, so adding a paper to your library updates your document on the next compile. Here is the complete workflow.
1. Install Better BibTeX
Zotero's built-in export works, but the Better BibTeX plugin is the standard for LaTeX users because it generates stable, readable citation keys (vaswani2017attention) and keeps the .bib file updated live. Install it from the Zotero add-ons menu and restart Zotero.
2. Export your collection
- Right-click a collection → Export Collection.
- Choose format Better BibTeX (or BibLaTeX).
- Check Keep updated so the file rewrites on every change.
- Save as
refs.bibin your project folder.
3. Cite in LaTeX
\usepackage[style=ieee, backend=biber]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{refs.bib}
...
The Transformer~\parencite{vaswani2017attention} introduced self-attention.
\printbibliography
The key (vaswani2017attention) is the stable key Better BibTeX generated — see BibTeX vs BibLaTeX for the backend choice.
4. Fix common export issues
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Title capitalization lowercased | Wrap words in braces in Zotero: {DNA} |
| Missing DOI/pages | Complete the entry in Zotero |
| Special characters break | Enable LaTeX escaping in Better BibTeX |
| Key changed, \cite broke | Use Better BibTeX's pinned/stable keys |
5. Working online
In an online editor, upload refs.bib alongside your .tex file, or paste its contents. LetX runs the full biber pass on every compile, so citations resolve instantly without a [?]. For the underlying citation mechanics, see How to Add Citations and a Bibliography. Mendeley and EndNote export the same .bib format and integrate identically.
→ Drop your Zotero .bib into LetX and get an auto-formatted bibliography in seconds.
Written by Shihab Shahriar Antor — AI Engineer & Founder of Shahriar Labs, maker of LetX.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my Zotero library and .bib file in sync?
Install the Better BibTeX plugin for Zotero, then right-click a collection and choose 'Export Collection' with 'Keep updated' checked. Better BibTeX writes a .bib file and rewrites it automatically whenever you add or edit references in that collection. It also generates stable, human-readable citation keys like author2024title, so your \cite commands never break when Zotero re-sorts the library.
Why are some fields missing or malformed in my exported .bib?
Two common causes: the entry was incomplete in Zotero (e.g. no DOI or page numbers), or special characters need protection. Protect capitalization in titles by wrapping words in braces inside Zotero, e.g. {DNA}, so the bibliography style doesn't lowercase them. Better BibTeX has options to escape LaTeX special characters automatically. Always spot-check exported entries for the venue name and author formatting before submitting.
Can I use Mendeley or EndNote instead of Zotero?
Yes. Mendeley and EndNote both export BibTeX .bib files, and the LaTeX side is identical regardless of the manager — you cite with \cite and print with \printbibliography or \bibliography. Zotero with Better BibTeX is the most popular free choice because of its live auto-export and stable keys, but any tool that produces a valid .bib integrates the same way.