problem with word files and zotero

since I started using zotero, I have had two word files become unyielding. The zotero program allowed me to insert the citations, and then I saved the file. When I went back later to change the order of several paragraphs, the citations did not automatically adjust. In fact, the entire reference section was now completely wrong. I hired an outside consultant, who had to rewrite the manuscript. His diagnosis was that the Zotero program does not interface well with the Word program. This problem persisted within this file even when I submitted the corrected manuscript to an editor for publication. Once we made the editorial changes, the references did not adjust when the paragraphs were moved. In fact, I needed to go line by line to correct the references/citations with the editor after they tried to format the manuscript.
It has been suggested that the problem happens once the references are 'saved'. Any suggestions for my next manuscript?
  • This is hard to say in the abstract. While your experience sounds quite unpleasant, it's obviously not generously true that "the Zotero program does not interface well with the Word program" -- thousands of theses and dissertations and book manuscripts have been written with that combination.

    The general troubleshooting steps are here:
    https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/existing_citations_not_detected

    They also go over some common causes, so you know what to avoid. Beyond that, best advice would be to come here early on if you have an issue with Zotero; that's what the forums are for.
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