no option to manually add parent data

fionaunz90

I used to be able to add parent data manually by right-clicking on an added pdf and then manually filling in all details in the right column. However, today upon checking this option was not there. I right-clicked on an added pdf and there was no way for me to add or edit the info of the publication at all. Does anyone know why that is and how I can solve it?

mjthoraval

If you have PDF files in your library without a parent item (which contains the metadata), you should be able to add one with the right-click menu options:
- Retrieve Metadata to attempt filling the metadata automatically
- Create Parent Item to fill manually some metadata on the PDF file to create a parent item

fionaunz90

Hi!
Thanks for the reply :)
That is exactly the problem actually. This is what i used to do up until today but suddenly these two options disappeared. I don’t know whether it’s a bug maybe or something else. I extended my library’s memory but the problem remains.
Thanks in advance for any additional advice!

mjthoraval

In the desktop application, these two options disappear if I do the right-click on a parent item or on a PDF file already under a parent item.

If you cannot see these options from a right-click on a PDF file without a parent item in the desktop application, you could try disabling all plugins, restart Zotero and try again.

If that still does not solve the problem, you should report your operating system and Zotero version and provide a screenshot showing the problem. You can upload the screenshot somewhere (Google Drive, Dropbox, One Drive, etc.) and provide the public link here.

fionaunz90

It works now, thanks! I couldn't see these options on PDF files without a parent item, but I did exactly what you suggested and the option of creating a parent item is back :) thanks again!