How to Import Zotero Data into Notion

Want to import Zotero data into Notion and organize your research, references, and academic notes in one streamlined workspace? A seamless Notion Zotero integration saves hours of manual copy-pasting and transforms your academic workflow. Whether you're managing literature reviews, curating research libraries, or tracking citations, connecting Zotero to Notion without coding is easier than ever.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to set up a no-code Zotero to Notion connection using Note API Connector . We'll walk you through generating your API key, fetching your Zotero library, and importing it into your Notion database step-by-step.

Getting started with Note API Connector

You can get started in just a few clicks:

• Web App: Access the platform directly via the Note API Connector Web App .
• Chrome Extension: Install the Note API Connector Chrome Extension to use Note API Connector in Notion.

Simply authenticate your Notion account, grant the necessary permissions, and start creating API requests effortlessly.

👉 Follow the official setup guide for step-by-step instructions.

Get Your Zotero API Key

Go to https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys where you’ll find your user ID. Then, click Create new private key .

Enter some information about your new application. Name your app (for example, "Note API Connector"). Make sure to check Allow library access and Allow notes access .

Your new API key will appear. Copy your key and store it safely. This token allows you to access your Zotero data via the API.

Import Zotero Data into Notion

Before diving in, it’s a good idea to review the Zotero API documentation to see what kind of data you can access.

Import Zotero Library Items

Start by creating a Notion database where your Zotero library items will be stored.

Next, choose your target Notion database.

Name your API request—something like Zotero Lib Import . Then paste the following API URL into the URL field, replacing {userID} with your actual user ID:

https://api.zotero.org/users/{userID}/items

Under Authorization → Bearer Token , paste your Zotero API Key.

Once you run the request, you will see Response Field Mapping view with Zotero data.

In my case, data.creators and data.tags appear as [object Object] . That’s because they’re nested JSON objects.

To make nested fields readable, open Customize Output and paste the following snippet into the JMES editor . The JMES editor lets you reshape your API data without any coding knowledge. In this case we transform nested fields data.creators and data.tags into readable text.

[].{
  key: key,
  version: version,
  library: library,
  links: links,
  meta: meta,
  data: data,
  creatorString: join(', ', data.creators[].join(' ', [firstName, lastName])),
  tagString: join(', ', data.tags[].tag)
}
        

This query creates two new fields: creatorString and tagString , converting nested data into readable text.

Now, uncheck the original data.creators and data.tags fields, and instead select creatorString and tagString . You can also map data.title to your Notion database’s Name field.

Finally, click Save & Import to pull your Zotero data directly into your Notion workspace.

Automate Data Updates in Notion

Manually syncing your Zotero data into Notion can become tedious—especially when you're managing dozens (or hundreds) of academic references. With Note API Connector’s scheduling feature , you can automate data updates and keep your Notion workspace perfectly in sync with your Zotero library.

Set automatic refresh intervals— hourly, daily, or custom —so your imported documents, authors, and metadata are always up to date. Whether you're curating a research dashboard, tracking sources for a thesis, or collaborating with peers, this ensures your Zotero Notion integration stays current without any manual effort.

Conclusion

With Note API Connector , you can import Zotero data into Notion effortlessly and without writing a single line of code. This seamless Zotero Notion integration makes it easy to organize research papers, annotate metadata, and build dynamic academic dashboards.

From OAuth authentication to real-time syncing, this tutorial walked you through every step. By combining the power of Zotero’s reference management with Notion’s flexible databases, you can centralize your entire research workflow and boost productivity across your academic or professional projects.

Frequently asked questions