The basics - I can't find zotero on Word

maysie27
I downloaded zotero on my computer, and I thought the plugin for word installs automatically, but I can't find zotero or "add citation" in word. I tried shutting it down and restarting - no luck. What am I missing?
  • damnation
    https://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_installation
  • bwiernik
    What operating system (Mac or Windows) and version of Word are you using ?
  • lb939
    Sorry to piggy back, but I am in the same place, I have uninstalled and reinstalled Zotero, and rebooted each time. I have followed the advice but I can't even find the specified file in the Zotero folder to copy across.
  • adamsmith
    Same questions as above
  • maysie27
    Microsoft office 365 pro plus and Microsoft word 2016
  • lb939
    Same, office 365 pro plus.
  • dstillman
    https://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_troubleshooting#zotero_toolbar_doesn_t_appear
  • lb939
    Thanks, I've already followed all the troubleshooting tips. They do not cover this.
  • bwiernik
    Yes, they do. Are you on Windows or Mac? What exactly have you tried?
  • lb939
    I'm on Windows.

    I've checked that the Word add-in is installed in Zotero preferences. I've gone to the Customise Ribbon in Word, but the Zotero add in is not available. I went to do the manual installation, but the Zotero.dotm file is not in the Zotero folder, as I stated in my original post. There is no guidance for this in the troubleshooting tips, as I said in my other post.
  • dstillman
    Yes, this is covered:
    If the folder is empty, the file was somehow deleted — possibly by security software — and you should reinstall Zotero.
  • lb939
    I have uninstalled it, and reinstalled it (rebooting the laptop each time)mand the folder is not there.
  • dstillman
    The folder is not there or the file is not there?
  • lb939
    The file is not there.
  • dstillman
    edited September 8, 2019
    If you’re looking in the right folder — if you tell us exactly how you’re getting to it we can confirm that — and the file isn’t there immediately after installation, then either the file is hidden somehow or security software on your system is deleting or moving it immediately. (Probably the latter, or else the automatic installation would work.) The file is bundled with Zotero in the folder mentioned in the documentation, so I’m afraid there’s really nothing else we can tell you. You’ll need to debug this on your system, possibly by temporarily disabling your security software or (if this is a work computer) talking to your IT department.
  • lb939
    I've searched my computer for the file, and it doesn't find anything. So I guess I need to try and debug it. So annoying, it worked before, and I'm starting my dissertation, and really need this to work!

    Thanks for your help.
  • adamsmith
    It likely won't solve the problem, but FWIW, the Zotero .dotm file can also be downloaded from the code reposistory: https://github.com/zotero/zotero-word-for-windows-integration/raw/master/install/Zotero.dotm
    So you could try if doing that and placing it into the Word startup folder will work, but I'd suspect that dstillman is right and that other issues preventing this from working properly.
  • lb939
    Just as an update. I downloaded and installed RefWorks to use instead of Zotero as I couldn't work out how to fix this problem, and that fixed the problem! I can use Zotero now, with no issues!
  • dstillman
    It's much more likely this was just fixed by something else — updating to a new version of Zotero, resetting some setting, etc.
  • DonnaCoxBaker
    Dan, speaking of the Word template and updates--are changes to the Word templates automatically rolled out with Zotero updates? Or do we need to reinstall them?
  • adomasven
    @DonnaCoxBaker if Zotero thinks that you have Word and the Word plugin installed then it will automatically install any template updates upon first launch of Zotero after an update. Zotero "might not think" that you have the Zotero Word plugin installed if you had reset/deleted your Zotero profile at some point since the initial install of Zotero.
  • DonnaCoxBaker
    Thank you, adomasven. I had never even thought to check the status of my Word add-on until I wanted to test out the new capabilities of handling page numbers from the Word bubble. I installed from within Zotero, and it was fine. Come to think of it, I think I initially installed the add-on from within Word--not Zotero. So I have probably never had an update. ... but I know I'm off-subject. Thank you!
  • dstillman
    The add-on should never be installed from Word. It's normally installed via Zotero or, if that doesn't work for some reason (e.g., security software), manually via the filesystem. (On systems where the latter is necessary, it's more likely for the automatic update not to work.)
  • DonnaCoxBaker
    Good to know. Thanks!
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