Exporting and then importing ZOtero collection with links to files

cosmicraga

Hi,

I have a zotero database. From that database, I want to transfer few of the collections to a new zotero database. When I export the collection as zotero RDF and import it to the new database, there is option to include the attached files. Here I am having an issue. I had may 'links to files' in the original collections. I would like to export these 'links to files' in the new database (not as attachments). Is it possible?

Note: I am using 'relative paths'.

I am using latest version of zotero on Ubuntu 12.10

Thanks.

adamsmith

Zotero can currently not import attachments as links to file, sorry. Has been requested before in another context and I think there's certainly general interest in implementing this, but it's not on anyone's immediate agenda as far as I'm aware.

cosmicraga

I have found one way. I transferred the whole database manually with absolute paths. Then deleted the unwanted colections and converted to relative paths. It seems to be working.

adamsmith

yes, that would work. I was thinking regular export/import and that doesn't work for links (i.e. best case they get turned into stored attachments).
But transferring the whole database via the sqlite file/data folder does preserve links as such, of course.

cosmicraga

A regular export/import will be helpful. :). Wish to see in some future versions.

barnabas.harris

Hi,
I have been maintaining a zotero library on my PC of which many of the references have file attachments. I am now attempting to migrate my zotero library to my new Mac.

Currently I have installed zotero on my Mac and synced with my online zotero account. This has successfully imported all my library references.

I then copied the zotero file folder from my PC to my Mac and set this as a the base directory for zotero on my Mac.

However, none of the file attachment links from inside zotero function.

From the above comments I understand there is a way to solve this but cannot work it out - could anyone advise?

Cheers, B

adamsmith

when you say "Zotero file folder" -- do you mean the folder zotero/storage?

barnabas.harris

On my original machine I had set the 'linked attachment base directory' to a custom folder named 'zotero'. Within this there were /locate, /pipes, /storage folders etc.

I copied this folder to my new machine and after syncing with my online Zotero account I set it as the 'linked attachment base directory'. No joy.

I have since tried adding my entire library into a single collection and exporting this as an RDF but am getting 'this file type is not supported' when attempting to import it into Zotero.

Any help appreciated!


Cheers

aurimas

Set your Zotero data directory (not linked attachment base directory) to point to the folder you backed up. The setting is on the same preference page.

barnabas.harris

Thanks for all the help.

What I did to solve the issue of transferring a library between machines keeping all of the file attachments;

Checked the files and folder preferences (advanced tab) in my existing zotero library.
Noticed the Zotero data directory location was set to 'use profile directory'.
Clicked show data directory.
Copied the 'zotero' folder to my new machine.
Changed data directory location on Zotero on the new machine to point and transferred folder.

Cheers,