Syncing your library backs up your library on the Zotero server, and enables you to use Zotero on more than one computer or to recover your library if something happens to your computer. 

Once you have created an account, open the Zotero Preferences window and navigate to the Sync tab. Enter your Zotero.org username and password.

Check the “sync automatically” box, and check both boxes under File Syncing and choose Zotero storage for My Library. This will sync your PDF attachments as well as citations (more info).

Zotero will upload your library to their server.

In addition to automatic syncing, you can sync manually at any time by clicking the “Sync with Zotero Server” button on the right-hand side of the Zotero toolbar.

You can export your Zotero data out of your library. This is useful is you want to move your data to another computer, or if you want to move your citations into another citation manager. 

Within the citation library, select the item(s) you wish to export, then right-click  to open the sub-menu. From here, select “Export Items”.

In the pop-up window, click the Format box to select your export file type. This file is what will be imported into another citation manager or computer with Zotero.

RIS (Research Information Systems) format can be imported into numerous citation managers, including EndNote, Mendeley, and RefWorks. RefWorks Tagged can also be imported to Refworks, and will include your relevant tagging information. 

A window will appear asking you where you would like to save the export file. Once selected, click Save File.

To import the exported Zotero file, please follow the steps listed in your new citation manager’s guide.

You can also export your entire library by selecting the Zotero gear menu, choosing Export Library, and saving the file to a USB drive or importing it into another citation manager.