Wrong error message for .sqlite file import in wrong directory

kevinharvey
Hi there. Brand new to Zotero, but I have a lot of colleagues that use it and hope this contributes a small amount. While attempting to import an existing data file in the .sqlite format, I got the error "No translator could be found for the given file." It's the error that you should get when your trying to import an unknown data file type. After some Googling, I realized I needed to update my "Storage Location" under "Advanced" in the "Preference" page. Perhaps a better error message for this case?

To reproduce:

  1. Make a copy of your .sqlite data file anywhere outside your "Storage Location"

  2. Open Zotero, click the "Actions" button and choose "Import"

  3. Select the data file you copied outside your "Storage Location" and click "Open"

Voila, the error message. For those of you with the same error, here's the fix:

  1. Open Zotero, click the "Actions" button and choose "Preferences"

  2. Click the "Advanced" tab, and click "Show Data Directory"

  3. Move or rename the existing data file (mine's called zotero.sqlite)

  4. Move the data file you'd like the import here, name it the same as the original, and try the import process again

Thanks for a great product, and let me know if I can help further
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    Just to be clear, what you've described isn't "importing"—it's just setting Zotero to use an existing data directory, and there's more to that than just the zotero.sqlite file. This is explained on the Zotero Data page.

    Having Zotero display a more helpful message if you erroneously try to import a zotero*.sqlite* file is probably a good idea, though, since it's likely a common mistake.

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