Importing from other data sets // Abstract field issues

stephanieclara

hi !!!
im using zotero for the first time its very exciting! trying to figure it out on my own but struggling with a few things
I need to input a large amount of references manually from 'data' which is not helpful (no RIS no BibTex etc). i have a collection of DOIs, ISBNs, hundreds of pages of apa style reference lists, screenshots of books, etc etc . is there any other way to input these besides manually and individually? i dont think there is but i just wanted to check
also i dont want abstracts to be automatically generated - i have turned off snapshots and attachments in the general field of preferences ( https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/73883/skip-abstract-attachment-when-importing-references ) but abstracts are still being added from web pages (and all other sources)
... ?
xoxoxox

adamsmith

You can't disable abstracts: those are (when they are added) authoritative abstracts and part of the metadata as much as volume or date.

You can add DOIs in bulk without any problems using the magic wand icon. That also takes ISBNs, but I would move a bit slower on those to prevent getting locked out

stephanieclara

thank you so much for your reply!! understood re abstracts. Sorry that this was unclear , but i am using the gorgeous magic wand icon , just was hoping there might be a more efficient way because ya with the isbns its a bit of a drag . thank you sm!!!