Tools to Manage Sources, Create Reference Lists, and Insert In-text Citations
There are many options for generating bibliographies and managing sources. Here is what we recommend and support at Milner Library.
- Zotero.orgA free, open source software. A stand-alone application installed on your computer works in tandem with a browser add-on. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux 32-bit, & Linux 64-bit. The word processor plug-in works with MS Word, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice. Consult our Zotero Help Guide.
- EndNote BasicFree to to ISU students, faculty, and staff, is a web-based service similar to RefWorks. Compatible with most web-browsers. Word processor plug-in works with MS Word in Windows and Mac. The online platform can be paired with a desktop client you install on your computer, often referred to as just EndNote. ISU does not support the desktop version. Consult our EndNote Basic help guide for more information.
- Source Manager Comparison Chart (pdf)This pdf chart provides a comparison of features in Zotero and EndNote Basic. The list includes the most common features users seek when selecting a source manager.
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Time to Learn |
30 minutes |
30 minutes |
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Help Guides |
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Strengths |
Open source; robust features on both desktop and web | Direct export from most library databases |
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Weaknesses |
Smaller storage space for free account |
ISU does not support desktop version; not available if no longer associated with ISU |
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Cost |
Free |
Free to all ISU |
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Can access after leaving Illinois State |
X |
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Browser tool to save sources from web |
X |
X |
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Share with others / Create groups |
X |
X |
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Create folders to organize content |
X |
X |
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Create subfolders |
X |
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Good for a scholarly content |
X |
X |
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Easy to add diverse source types |
X |
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Create bibliographies in specific styles / journal formatting |
X |
X |
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Tool for adding in-text citations into a word processor document |
MS Word (Windows/MacOS) |
MS Word (Windows/MacOS) |
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Assign keywords/tags to improve searchability |
X |
X |
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Attach / Store PDFs |
X |
X |
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Attach / Store other file types |
X |
X |
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Annotate PDFs |
X |
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Compatible with all major browsers |
X |
X |
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Compatible with multiple operating systems |
X |
X |
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Storage capacity |
300MB (free); $ for more |
2GB (free); $ for 5GB |
Other Source Managers
Looking for alternatives? Here is a list of other source managers you may like to explore.
Wikipeda provides a great comparison chart of source management software.
Reference Generators
Reference generators (also called citation generators) are handy tools to quickly create a preformatted reference for one or two sources. Usually you need to copy & paste content into a form. Most generators do not save the information entered into the form.
- ZoteroBibBuild a bibliography instantly from any computer or device by pasting the URL, ISBN, DOI, PMID, arXiv ID, or title into the provided search box.
- Citation MachineCitation Machine is a free site with a form to enter a source's content and then it automatically produces a formatted reference in the chosen style (MLA, APA, Turabian, or Chicago). It does not create full bibliographies. Users can copy and paste the formatted reference into Word. Also provides a Grammar and Plagiarism checker. Originally developed by educator David Warlick and is now owned by Chegg Services.
- KnightCiteKnightCite is a free site that provides a form to input a source's information. It automatically produces a formatted reference in the selected style (MLA, APA, or Chicago). The form includes options for 25 types of sources. From the Hekman Library at Calvin College.
