Upgrade StorageWANNA HELP WORD ONLINE HAPPEN?
@dstillman confirmed on the forums that the only thing blocking a real Zotero plugin for Word Online is Microsoft's Word JavaScript API — specifically the lack of a working fields API (the same mechanism the desktop plugin already relies on). Zotero can't ship a plugin based on Content Controls instead, because that would break compatibility with every document written using the desktop plugin over the last 15+ years (see Mendeley's plugin for a preview of how that goes).
Microsoft has been sitting on this for YEARS. The original request from a Zotero developer is still open in their backlog. If you want Zotero on Word Online, here's where public pressure can actually help — Microsoft does weigh votes/comments on these:
1. Upvote + comment on the official Microsoft idea thread:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/idea/microsoft365developerplatform/adding-field-codes-for-word-using-word-javascript-api/2361481/comments/2376739#M93
2. Comment on the underlying GitHub issue (filed directly by a Zotero dev in 2021, still marked "in backlog"):
https://github.com/OfficeDev/office-js/issues/1751
When commenting, it helps to be specific and civil rather than just "+1" — mention:
- You use Zotero (or another fields-based reference manager) and need Word Online support
- Why it matters to you specifically (institution locked into Word 365 online, collaboration needs, etc.)
- That backwards compatibility with existing field-based documents is the actual blocker, not a nice-to-have
This isn't a Zotero problem — it's Microsoft's API gap. The more visible, specific, real-world comments pile up, the harder it is for Microsoft to keep deprioritizing it.
Microsoft has been sitting on this for YEARS. The original request from a Zotero developer is still open in their backlog. If you want Zotero on Word Online, here's where public pressure can actually help — Microsoft does weigh votes/comments on these:
1. Upvote + comment on the official Microsoft idea thread:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/idea/microsoft365developerplatform/adding-field-codes-for-word-using-word-javascript-api/2361481/comments/2376739#M93
2. Comment on the underlying GitHub issue (filed directly by a Zotero dev in 2021, still marked "in backlog"):
https://github.com/OfficeDev/office-js/issues/1751
When commenting, it helps to be specific and civil rather than just "+1" — mention:
- You use Zotero (or another fields-based reference manager) and need Word Online support
- Why it matters to you specifically (institution locked into Word 365 online, collaboration needs, etc.)
- That backwards compatibility with existing field-based documents is the actual blocker, not a nice-to-have
This isn't a Zotero problem — it's Microsoft's API gap. The more visible, specific, real-world comments pile up, the harder it is for Microsoft to keep deprioritizing it.