Zotero 7.0.15 fails to import dataset citation files from Zenodo with "No items were imported"

omsai · 2025-03-30T11:58:49+00:00

Steps to reproduce:
1. Go to https://zenodo.org/records/3757476 and "Export" as "BibTeX".
2. In Zotero desktop File > Import... > A file (BigTeX, RIS, Zotero RDF, etc.) > 3757476.bib

Result:
No items were imported

aborel · 2025-03-30T12:33:01+00:00

This certainly deserves some attention, but the browser connector should be able to capture the metadata directly, with fewer mouse clicks. Is there a reason not to use that method?

omsai · 2025-03-30T12:40:03+00:00

I'm using a locked down macOS laptop from the medical school that only provides Zotero desktop as part of their managed software. The medical IT folks point me to their supplied EndNote with its program integrations but then that locks me into a proprietary system.

adamsmith · 2025-03-30T12:56:21+00:00

I don't have Zotero open right now, but assume it's stumped by the (unofficial) dataset type used in BibTeX by Zenodo. Use CSL JSON export (or see if you can use add by identifier using the DOI)

omsai · 2025-03-30T13:02:54+00:00

Thank you! The "CSL" JSON from Zenodo works. Previously I tried Zenodo's default "JSON" but that gives "Error" "The selected file is not in a supported format." So exporting Zenodo to "CSL" works around their unofficial @dataset BibTeX.

aborel · 2025-03-30T13:09:32+00:00

I see, thanks.

Looking at https://raw.githubusercontent.com/zotero/translators/refs/heads/master/BibTeX.js , I guess the translator doesn't recognize a dataset item type in Bibtex files. It can be fixed but this could take a while; I think you will get better functionality if you can install the Better Bibtex plugin https://github.com/retorquere/zotero-better-bibtex/releases
Would that be compatible with your environment?

Otherwise, a work-around would be to edit the Bibtex file to change the item type (for example @misc instead of @dataset) and change the Zotero item type back to dataset after it has been imported.

adamsmith · 2025-03-30T13:10:34+00:00

I think we can fix this in the main import. It's supposed to handle bi latex which I believe now includes dataset.

omsai · 2025-03-30T13:14:45+00:00

Yes, I was able to install the plugin from Zotero desktop > Tools > Plugins > [Gear icon] > Install Plugin From File... > zotero-better-bibtex-7.0.12.xpi

Now it is able to open the dataset BibTeX using that plugin.

adamsmith · 2025-03-30T13:16:42+00:00

I'd expect CSL JSON to work better overall, FWIW, since it's a quasi native Zotero format (it's what Zotero uses for citations)