Changing Citation/References in Word document from EndNote to Zotero
Recently, I changed from EndNote to Zotero. Following this forum tips I could export my library together PDF attached. Thanks to this community users!
A new question appeared: I have a lot of Microsoft Word documents wrote using EndNote "Cite While You Write". Is there any change to replace EndNote citations to Zotero automatically?
Also, I couldn't find in Zotero any indicator that shows the number of papers, books etc. I have stored in whole library and in each group? Is there any place to see that? Now, the main pourpouse is to compare whether all my EndNote registers were properly imported by Zotero.
Thanks in advance,
Cadu
A new question appeared: I have a lot of Microsoft Word documents wrote using EndNote "Cite While You Write". Is there any change to replace EndNote citations to Zotero automatically?
Also, I couldn't find in Zotero any indicator that shows the number of papers, books etc. I have stored in whole library and in each group? Is there any place to see that? Now, the main pourpouse is to compare whether all my EndNote registers were properly imported by Zotero.
Thanks in advance,
Cadu
http://www.zotero.org/support/tips_and_tricks
My currenty library has 9GB and around 3000 items.
No performances issues when using Zotero standalone.
For safety, be sure that you have saved copies of your document with and withour the EndNote field codes.
Make another copy (with a new file name) of the document without field codes. Print a copy of that document. Physically mark (dog ear the page, use a sticky or paperclip) the beginning of your reference list.
Open the new copy of the renamed document without field codes. This is the copy you will edit using Zotero. Using the printed copy as a reference, edit the citations one-by-one. Highlight and delete each citation and immediately replace it by inserting the citation using Zotero.
Mark the citation on your printed copy to indicate that it has a live Zotero field code.
Using the working file, insert a blank page after the last page of your reference list. The Zotero verson of your feference list will begin here.
Click the button to make a bibliography for the working copy (with live Zotero citations). Compare the first items in your old reference list with that in the new one. They should be exactly the same. If not, verify that you are using the desired style.
Go through your document replacing each inert citation with a Zotero citation. You don't need to verify the reference list each time but only after you have replaced several citations. Do _not_ add any new citations while editing. Additions should be made only after all edits have been done and you have confirmed that your new reference list is the same as your old one.
When all citations have been replaced, verify that the new reference list contains all the items (and in the same order) as in the old one.
If both lists match, delete the old inert one.
Save your document throughout the editing process using a new filename with each save (filename-A.doc, filename-B.doc, etc.). You may need to fall back on one of the back-up files if you make an error that can't be easily fixed.
I write from experience. I began my doctoral thesis using Reference Manager. I had used Reference Manager for writing since before it was a DOS program. At the point that I was completing my final draft, Reference Manager failed me. I had to find a new citation management tool. I tried to convert to EndNote but was not successful. I discovered Zotero and found that (even the early versions) worked better than Reference Manager. It required about 5 hours to bring the 426 referenced items into the Zotero database and verify that each item was correct. It required another 7 to 8 hours to follow the steps listed above.
Although it required almost two days of work to complete all tasks, the effort wasn't lost time. The editing process helped me to find places where I expressed myself poorly and places where an additional reference was needed. I also found several typos that had gone unrecognized through several readings.
I am also afraid that Zotero can be closed, coz I read that Endnote sued Zotero :/
you can't select with which number to start with Zotero - also, what would happen if you referred to the same item again and needed the same number? Replacing 35 citations takes 30mins, just take the time and do this right, you get instructions by DWL above.
Field codes are hidden bits of data that EndNote or Zotero inserts into the body of your paper that allow you to move blocks of text around and automatically re-number your references both in the body of your document and in the reference list. Likewise, there are many other hidden things inserted by your word processor that affect the way your document appears (font face, font size, line spacing, indents, etc.). Normally you don't need to worry about them. They are invisible to you and you would only take steps to display the field codes if something goes terribly wrong with your document -- a rare occurrence.
I recommend above that you leave your EndNote document intact and working with a copy of your document remove the EndNote field codes. Instructions (a 37 second video) on how to perform this simple task may be found at the link below.
http://vimeo.com/11179274
Once you have your new document, make another copy of it (you cannot be too safe), open the Zotero connection, select each citation number one-by-one. Delete the citation number and immediately insert the same reference using Zotero.
If all of your references are already in your Zotero database and correct, replacing 35 citations will be a simple task.
I don't know how many Zotero users there are but I suspect that there several hundred thousand of us. There are more than 10,000 users at my university alone. Zotero is likely to be around for many years. Unlike with EndNote, you can get free personalized help through the forum. Unlike with EndNote updating the Zotero software is easy. Zotero is open source. If something terrible were to happen (say, a meteor struck a building during a meeting of all the Zotero developers -- sorry, Dan, et al. -- there are likely to be enough others who could keep the project going.