Mouse, right-click and drag

With a mouse or trackpad, right-click for the menu of what is under the pointer, use the wheel to zoom and scroll, and drag PDFs and documents in to open them.

Applies to Mendeley and Zotero editions Windows · Mac · iPad Free

Right-click menus

Right-click first selects the word or annotation under the pointer, then opens the menu for it. You don't need to select text before you right-click a single word.

Where you right-clickWhat the menu offers
Text in a PDFCopy Text, Copy with page, Highlight, Underline, Add sticky note, Send to theme, Similar passages in other papers, Look Up, Find in the paper. Over a figure caption, Show beside comes first.
An empty spot on the pageAdd sticky note at that spot.
A highlight or other annotationThe annotation's own menu (color, copy, note, delete and so on).
Text in a PDFShow … beside the text (over a figure), Copy, Copy with page, Highlight, Underline, a note on the highlight, Delete, Send to theme, Similar passages in other papers, Open in Mendeley / Open in Zotero.
A paragraph in Reading ModeShow it in the PDF, show a figure beside, bookmark, save or copy a figure (PNG) or a table (CSV or PNG), copy the paragraph, Copy with page, Send to theme.
A paper in the libraryOpen, Open beside, export its figures and tables. The Zotero edition adds a star.
A card in Open papersOpen, Open beside, Close paper.
A figure or table card in Reading ModeSave or copy the figure as PNG, or the table as CSV.
A paper in the libraryThe same menu as a long press: add to a collection, mark read, copy BibTeX or the citation key, and more.
  • WindowsWhile the pen or eraser is on, dragging with the right button erases strokes.

Wheel and zoom

  • WindowsCtrl + wheel zooms the PDF. In Reading Mode it changes the text size.
  • WindowsShift + wheel scrolls sideways.
  • WindowsDrag with the wheel button (middle button) to grab and move the page.
  • MacPinch on the trackpad to zoom, or use ⌘+ / ⌘− / ⌘0.
  • WindowsIn the figure panel, double-click or use Ctrl + wheel to zoom, then drag to move around.

Side buttons

Mouse 4 and Mouse 5 (the Back and Forward side buttons) scroll up and down by a screen. You can give them other actions under Keyboard shortcuts.

Drag and drop

  • Open a PDF: drag a PDF onto the window. While you hold it over the window, "Drop a PDF to open it" appears. It opens on this device only; see Opening a PDF without signing in.
  • Mac · iPadDropping a PDF on the reader replaces the paper you are reading.
  • WindowsAdd to your library: drop a PDF on the library column to add it to Mendeley or Zotero. See Adding a PDF.
  • Open a document beside the paper: drop a Word or text document to open it next to the paper. See A document beside the paper.
  • Resize two panes: drag the border between them; double-click it to reset. See Two panes.
  • Reorder: drag cards in Open papers, or blocks in a research theme.
  • Move a sticky note: drag its marker. See Sticky notes.

Opening a PDF you have not opened before is included in the purchase. Reopening one from "On this device" ("On this PC" on Windows) is always free. See Trial and purchase.

Updated September 20, 2026