Manage References With LetX: Zotero → Bibliography
By Shihab Shahriar Antor · Updated June 2026 · 6 min read
To go from Zotero to LaTeX, export your library (or a collection) as BibTeX or BibLaTeX to a .bib file, add it to your project, then cite entries with \cite{key}. LaTeX builds the formatted bibliography automatically. The Better BibTeX plugin gives stable citation keys and auto-export, so your .bib stays in sync as you add sources.
Why pair Zotero with LaTeX
Zotero collects and organizes references; LaTeX formats them. The bridge is a .bib file Zotero exports and LaTeX reads. You keep one source of truth for citations and let LaTeX handle numbering, ordering, and style.
Export a clean .bib
In Zotero, right-click your collection → Export Collection. Choose BibTeX (for classic BibTeX) or Better BibLaTeX (for biblatex). Install the Better BibTeX plugin first — it gives you stable, predictable citation keys like smith2024method instead of random ones.
| Need | Export format | Cite with |
|---|---|---|
| Classic, journal-required | BibTeX | \bibliographystyle |
| Modern, Unicode, styles | Better BibLaTeX | \printbibliography |
| Stable keys + auto-sync | Better BibTeX plugin | Either |
Cite the entries
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[backend=biber,style=numeric]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{references.bib} % exported from Zotero
\begin{document}
As shown by \autocite{smith2024method}, ...
\printbibliography
\end{document}On LetX, upload references.bib into your project and the bibliography passes (biber/bibtex) run automatically on compile — no manual multi-pass builds. Unsure which backend to pick? See BibTeX vs BibLaTeX and the full citations guide.
Drop in your Zotero .bib and auto-compile cites — free.
Open LetX FreeFrequently asked questions
How do I export a bibliography from Zotero to LaTeX?
Right-click your Zotero collection, choose Export Collection, and pick BibTeX or Better BibLaTeX. Save it as references.bib, add it to your LaTeX project, and cite entries with \cite{key}.
What is Better BibTeX?
Better BibTeX is a Zotero plugin that produces stable, human-readable citation keys (like smith2024method) and can auto-export your .bib file so it stays in sync with your library as you add sources.
Should I export BibTeX or BibLaTeX from Zotero?
Export Better BibLaTeX for new documents using the biblatex package. Export classic BibTeX when a journal template requires it. Both produce a .bib file LaTeX can cite from.
Do I need to run BibTeX manually after importing?
On LetX, no — the bibliography pass (biber or bibtex) runs automatically when you compile. In a local setup you’d run the bib tool between LaTeX passes yourself.
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Written by Shihab Shahriar Antor — AI Engineer & Founder of Shahriar Labs. Builder of LetX (collaborative LaTeX) and QuantumSketch (AI STEM video).