Unable to open/import MacOS PDF printed docs

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:02:46+00:00

Hi, I'm getting unsupported format errors when trying to open PDF-prints in MacOS, a massive problem for me tbqh

Any ideas how I might address this?

TIA

dstillman · 2026-02-12T04:03:26+00:00

Could you explain exactly what you're trying to do and what exact error you're getting? A screenshot and a link to an example PDF would help.

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:11:08+00:00

> explain exactly what you're trying to do

zotero can open, import, and edit (notations) pdfs

the expectation is it should be able to continue to so this with pdfs that're generated with the print to pdf function in macos as it has been able to do in the past

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:12:50+00:00

Sorry but how's a screenshot of a pdf going to help in any way?

dstillman · 2026-02-12T04:13:48+00:00

We literally don't know what you're talking about. You'll need to show us some screenshots if you'd like our help.

https://www.zotero.org/support/reporting_problems#provide_steps_to_reproduce

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:14:51+00:00

this doc as example

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/h2vzbeh7mqtoh2stnxxqy/The-Next-Innovation-in-Higher-Education-Vibe-Teaching.pdf?rlkey=407m7tpnj9n2bny1ya3c3i3wh&st=x7uq7oll&dl=0

dstillman · 2026-02-12T04:16:05+00:00

You said you're getting an error. Take a screenshot of the error you're getting and include it here, along with the two things requested in Reporting Problems that we always need with any report.

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:23:49+00:00

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u5140018/glr463h3vqt9c599kk35.jpg

dstillman · 2026-02-12T04:27:13+00:00

Right, so that's an error from File → Import. That has never worked for PDFs — it's for importing metadata formats like RIS, BibTeX, etc. To add a file, use the "Add Attachment" button in the toolbar, drag the PDF into Zotero, or, ideally, save from your browser.

(This is why you should trust us when we ask for basic information here to understand your question.)

adamsmith · 2026-02-12T04:29:06+00:00

The import function isn't for PDFs, that's for metadata formats like RIS or Bibtex. Add the PDF simply by dragging it to Zotero or using "Add attachment --> Add File" from the "File menu"

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:30:41+00:00

i get the same message when trying to open the file (opting out of import) and have used this feature like this in the past

the file will not open in zotero

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:33:27+00:00

opt out of import

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u5140018/y4dnkysd52w02zo2d4mm.jpg

and i get the same message

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u5140018/faolfgrmngf4ps9jto7v.jpg

adamsmith · 2026-02-12T04:40:43+00:00

I don't know what to tell you -- import has never worked for PDFs and you can find posts about this on this forum going back more than a decade. We tell you above what you can use instead.

0jay · 2026-02-12T04:44:39+00:00

roger that adamsmith but as you can see in the two images above your last post i have OPTED OUT of import and am trying to simply open the file

i can state categorically that opening pdfs has a history of working in zotero

dstillman · 2026-02-12T05:34:51+00:00

One more time, File → Import has never worked for PDFs. That checkbox is about where a RIS/BibTeX/etc. import goes — you aren't "opting out" of importing by unchecking it.

We explained above how adding PDFs works and has always worked. There's nothing more to say on this.

0jay · 2026-02-12T06:02:06+00:00

th prob is not via th import function (as i think i've made clear) but thas cool thanks for your time chief and thanks for all th fish

dstillman · 2026-02-12T06:06:23+00:00

If you mean that you're trying to open a file in Zotero from Finder, that has never worked. That is solely for importing and only works for RIS/BibTeX/etc. files, which is why you would have to use Open With and force Finder to even try to do it.

A future version of Zotero will make it possible to add PDFs that way, but it has never been possible before, and if you think it has, you are misremembering.