I set this up a while ago, used it a few times, decided it was too much of a pain. Then did the whole thing over again and came to the same conclusion. I’m documenting what I did in case others want to try it out. Maybe there’s a better way?

Read on to see what I did to get Scrivener-Zotero integration to work (Windows, 64-bit).

Important! I did this using an earlier version of Zotero (I think it was Zotero 5 and then Zotero 6). Some of the required plugins don’t yet work with Zotero 7 (see https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/118024/odf-scan-feature-in-zotero-7-downgrade-link-available)

Things to download/install

Install the following. Note that some applications must be installed in order (e.g., install Java before LibreOffice and Zotero before Zotero add-ons). Ensure each application is set up and working on its own before moving on to the next:

• Word (e.g., Office 365 through school/work account)
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE) for 64-bit windows (not obvious – LibreOffice pointed me to the wrong file so had to search for latest 64-bit version of JRE on my own) (https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp)
• LibreOffice (needs correct version of Java to work) (https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/)
• Zotero (https://www.zotero.org/)
• Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/download)
• 7-Zip File Manager (to unzip zotpick.7z file – see below) (https://www.7-zip.org/)
• Zotero add-ons:
  • Zotero LibreOffice Integration
  • Zotero MS Word Add-in
  • RTF/ODF-Scan for Zotero (https://zotero-odf-scan.github.io/zotero-odf-scan/)
    • Had some issues in the process, and had to download Scannable Cite.js directly (https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Juris-M/zotero-odf-scan-plugin/master/resource/translators/Scannable Cite.js) and store it in the correct folder: Zotero Preferences > Advanced > Files and Folders (tab) > Show Data Directory, then save file in “translators” folder.
  • Better BibTex for Zotero (https://retorque.re/zotero-better-bibtex/)
  • Zotpick (https://github.com/AmomentOfMusic/Zotero_scrivener_picker_windows)
    • after unzipping zotpick.7z file (I stored unzipped contents in “C:\Program Files\Scrivener3\zotpick”), I had to change file paths in shortcut “zotpick-scannablecite-win – Shortcut” so they pointed to the right spot:
      • Shortcut properties:
        • Target: “C:\Program Files\Scrivener3\zotpick\zotpick-scannablecite-win.bat”
        • Start in: “C:\Program Files\Scrivener3\zotpick”

Inserting Zotero Markers in Scrivener

In Scrivener, you will use the citation keyboard shortcut to call up zotpicker.

To find out what the keyboard shortcut is, go to File > Options > In Filter, type: citations. Click on item that appears to see assigned shortcut; can enter a new keyboard shortcut (e.g., Ctrl+G)

Zotero Citations in Scrivener

General format of an in-line citation:

{ | Trenholm, et al., 2015 | | | zu:8268352:X2LPCW2M }

{ | Maheux, & Proulx, 2015 | | | zu:8268352:UPVIRAZG }

You can customize wording and add page numbers within the citation:

{See | Solomon, & Croft, 2016 |p. 34 | for an example | zu:8268352:7NMABB5W }

Wu { | -Wu, et al., 2008 | | | zu:8268352:PIQR825X } says…

To better understand this format, see the section called Working with Citation Markers from https://zotero-odf-scan.github.io/zotero-odf-scan/

Scrivener <-> Microsoft Word (keeping the Zotero citations intact)

There is no way to create a reference list directly in Scrivener. To do so, you need to convert to a different format. Here’s how to convert to Word (also useful if you need to send your document for someone else to review in Word)

Converting from Scrivener to Microsoft Word

1. In Scrivener:
   • Once you are done writing and inserting citation markers, compile for OpenDocument Text (.odt) format.
2. In Zotero:
   • Zotero > Tools > ODF Scan -> choose ODF (to citations)
   • Find doc to input, and enter path/name of doc to output (default adds “(citations)”)
   • Now you have an ODT file that can be opened in LibreOffice.
3. In LibreOffice:
   • Switch Zotero “Set Document Preferences” to Bookmarks, refresh citations, and then save as docx.
4. In Word:
   • Open the converted file and click Refresh in the Zotero ribbon to continue using the document.
   • (optional) In “Set Document Preferences”, choose Fields
   • Add Works Cited

Converting from Word to Scrivener

1. In Word:
   • Remove Works Cited
   • (If required) Open docx file and in Zotero Document Preferences -> Switch Field type to Bookmarks.
2. In LibreOffice:
   • Open docx file and switch Zotero “Set Document Preferences” to ReferenceMarks (not Bookmarks).
   • Refresh to ensure gray field markers appear.
   • Save as odt file.
3. In Zotero:
   • Zotero > Tools > ODF Scan – choose ODF (markers) option
   • Find doc to input, and enter path/name of doc to output (default adds “(markers)”)
4. In Scrivener:
   • Import filename(markers).odt file

Why Didn’t I Use Scrivener with Zotero?

There were two key reasons for why I didn’t persist with this:

• The process of converting from Scrivener to Word and back was a hassle and resulted in formatting messiness that had to be cleaned up each time.
• The ugliness of these citations made reading feel like too much of a challenge. See a snippet below from an early paper I was working on for an example:

In their study of primary school students, Elton-Chalcraft and Mills { | -Elton-Chalcraft, & Mills, 2015 | | | zu:8268352:VRQZL6Z9 } contrasted two types of “fun” in mathematics: that which is “exciting and enjoyably challenging where there is pride in achievement after an initial struggle” and that which is “‘easy enjoyable’ characterised by instant shallow gratification, or ‘fancy’” (p. 490).

Hope this was useful!