Reference management software: Zotero 7

To open a PDF file, simply double-click the PDF icon (if attached to the reference in your library). It will open in a new tab. 

You can choose what you want to see in the PDF reader. In the below example, all three panels are open, but you can choose to have just one or two open. 

On the left are all notes, underlines, etc. In the middle is the document itself and on the right is information and metadata.

Highlight text in two ways

1. Unlocked mode: Select any text. A popup appears; choose a colour.

2. Locked mode: Select the Highlight tool in the top bar, choose a colour, then select the text. 

Underline text in the same way as higlighting:

1. Locked mode: Select the Underline tool in the top bar, choose a colour, then select the text.. 

2. Unlocked mode: Select any text. A popup appears; choose the Underline option (the second “A”).

Making annotations and notes

You can add an annotation in the form of a sticky note. Click the Note annotation function in the top bar and choose a colour. Place the cursor where you want the note, and click.  

If the left panel is open, you can edit the note annotation there. If it is closed, you can edit the annotation in the dialog that pops up.

You can write notes on the PDF itself. Click the icon Add Text in the toolbar. Click anywhere on the page to place a text box, then type your comment. You can drag or resize the text box if needed.

You can capture a specific area, piece of text, or image/figure in the PDF. Choose the Select Area tool. Click and drag your cursor around the selected area.

It will be added as an image annotation.

Select the annotation you would like to tag. Click the Add Tags... button. In the popup window, start typing your tag; a list of existing tags will appear. Select a tag from the list, or type a new one. To add more tags to your annotation, click the + button and repeat the process. You can also add colours to your annotations.

To search the contents of a PDF file, click the magnifying glass icon located in the upper right corner of the toolbar. This will open a search bar where you can enter the word or phrase you want to find. All matching text in the document is highlighted in colour. You can use arrow buttons in the search bar to hop through the results. 

Select a citation with an annotated PDF. Right-click the citation or the PDF. Select → Add Note from Annotations and a note will be created from the annotations you have made in the PDF.

It is also possible to make notes of the annotations directly from the PDF view.

The PDF reader allows you to view full citation details for in-text references. Move your cursor over an in-text citation. A popup window appears, showing the full reference.You can also click on the reference if you would like to see it in the bibliography. 

Import a PDF with ready-made annotations and strikethroughs. 

Open the PDF, go to File → Import annotations