Create item from PDF

InvertedHypercube
Hello.

I remember in previous versions of Zotero, when clicking the "Create New Item from Current Page" on an internet PDF file, it would format an item as a normal entry and attach the PDF, filling in the Title and Accessed fields. Now when I create an item from a PDF, it just adds it as a separate attachment not linked to an entry, and the entry is not editable.

How would I go about creating a normal entry from a PDF file, which links the PDF file automatically, and lets me edit all the fields?

Thanks in advance.
  • adamsmith
    Create a new item using the Green Plus button and then select attachment - attach snapshot of current page.
    The reason "Create New Item" creates an unattached pdf is that this facilitates "Retrieve Metadata from Pdf" - a long planned feature is to attach the pdf to an empty item when the retrieve metadata fails.
  • InvertedHypercube
    Ah, thanks. It's unfortunate though, it was easier before.

    Cheers.
  • adamsmith
    I'd say the difference is minimal - and brings more time-saving on the other end. Do your pdfs not work for metadata?
  • InvertedHypercube
    No. And besides, there's no way retrieve metadata for linked PDFs, right? For many styles of citation I would think it would be more convenient to have editable fields rather than a rigid system.

    The ideal implementation would be if the "Create New Item" button created a normal item with the attached PDF and retrieved its metadata for the entry info.
  • adamsmith
    Retrieve Metadata (where it works) attaches the pdf to an editable item (with most fields filled out, but still editable) - try it out.
    It doesn't work for linked items, because Zotero would then have to make decisions about overwriting the contents of some fields with metadata etc. - a whole pandora's box.

    I don't think it'd be wise to have Zotero do the retrieval automatically for a number of reasons, but it can do so in bulk (i.e. for 10-20 pdfs at once - watch out, google scholar bans you if you do this too heavily over a short period of time), so once again, the additional effort is minimal.

    I'd suggest we halt the discussion here - this has been covered on the forum a number of times and there are several threads discussing this at length. So if you want to continue this, search the forum, take some time to familiarize yourself with the arguments and the status of the debate - if you want to, one of those threads would then be a better place to continue this.
This discussion has been closed.