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).