Zotero is a free, open-source reference management tool that helps you collect and cite academic literature. Zotero is available as a web-based version and as a download for various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux). It also includes a connector for importing titles from various browsers, an add-in for Word, and the option to integrate with other writing programmes.
To install Zotero, please use this link.
As Zotero offers a different range of functions to Citavi, it is not possible to transfer everything 100%. The following content will be transferred
- Titles including attachments (e.g. PDFs including annotations)
- Knowledge elements: become notes in Zotero. There is no distinction between direct quotations, indirect quotations or summaries. Notes can be inserted into the word processor, but no longer contain source references; these must be added manually if required.
- Keywords for titles and groups: become tags
- Categories: become sub-collections (no longer linked to citations)
- Tasks: become notes with the tag #todo, but without a link to the source
- Tables of contents: become notes with the tag #TableOfContents
a) Citavi Web
If you have previously worked exclusively with Citavi Web, we recommend creating a local backup using Citavi for Windows. Otherwise, only title data, PDFs and highlights within the PDFs (not citations) can be exported.
If you do not have access to a Windows PC, you can use Citavi for Windows on the ZHB’s internet PCs, for example.
Continue with 1b.
(Not recommended: Instructions for exporting from Citavi Web)
b) Citavi for Windows (Cloud Project)
- Open your cloud project in Citavi for Windows.
- Click ‘File’ in the top-left corner, then ‘This Project’, and then ‘Save Project Copy’.
- Select “Create local project copy” and enter a project name.
- Optional: Select a save location.
- Decide whether you want to keep your cloud project, then click “Next”.
Citavi will now create a local project copy and open it automatically.
Continue with 1c.
The backup file must be extracted before importing it into Zotero. It has the extension .ctv6bak and is usually located at:
C:\Users\“Your Name“\Documents\Citavi 7\Backup\“Project Name“
(You can also find a project’s storage location in Citavi under “Tools” – “Options” – “Locations”.)
- Locate the .ctv6bak file.
- Right-click on it and select “7-Zip”, then “Extract files”. (If 7-Zip is not installed, you can download it from https://www.7-zip.de/.)
- Select a save location and confirm by clicking “OK”.
To ensure that attachments (e.g. PDFs) can be imported into Zotero, they must be located in the same folder as the .ctv6bak file.
You will usually find the attachments at:
C:\Users\“Your Name“\Documents\Citavi 7\Projects\“Project Name“\Citavi Attachments
Copy the attachments and paste them into the folder containing the extracted backup copy.
- Open Zotero.
- Click on ‘File’ in the top-left corner, then click on ‘Import’ and select ‘A file (BibTeX, RIS, Zotero RDF, etc.)’, then click ‘Next’.
- Select the .ctv6bak file and confirm by clicking “Open”.
- In the next window, select “Copy files to the Zotero storage folder”.
- Select the option “Insert imported collections and entries into new collections” to create the original Citavi categories as sub-collections.
Support for switching
In principle, support for switching from Citavi to Zotero is available during the information desk’s opening hours. Please book an appointment by emailing info@zhb-flensburg.de
Michael BrickelM.A.
- Phone
- +49 461 805 2936
- brickel-PleaseRemoveIncludingDashes-@zhb-flensburg.de
- Building
- ZHB
- Room
- ZHB 12
- Street
- Auf dem Campus 3
- Post code / City
- 24943 Flensburg