Generating Reports - Tags & Notes

nayr497

I'm relatively new to using Zotero, so I think this should be a pretty simple question. I have checked the forums and think I've figured it out, but before I proceed with how I'm using Zotero for my research work, I'd like to be positive.

I have a number of different folders in my library. They contain a variety of files - PDF journal articles, some Word documents, and then some digital photo files. I have organized and categorized the folders.

What I have been doing is sorting through the files and then attaching both a TAG and a NOTE according to what chapter of my dissertation I think it applies to - so I'll tag say a PDF newspaper story as Chapter 5 and then I'll put Chapter 5 in the body of the note section.

From that I am hoping I can generate a report.

I have read the documentation section...I've clicked Advanced Search then "Note" contains "Chapter 5" and I'll get a list of all those files.

1) From the Advanced Search window I've highlighted all the files, then double clicked. It opens back in the main Zotero window. I think if I highlight them again there, I can then generate a report, it seems.

2) Where is the search saved if I choose "Save Search"?

3) Is there a better way than highlight all, double click in the A.S. window?

I feel like I had other questions, but now I'm only thinking of those.

My "system" seems to be working fine, I just wanted to confirm this before I Tag/Note more files. Not trying anything fancy, just using Zotero to organize 15,000 different files, then make sense of them.

I think if I use this Chapter 5 tag/Chapter 5 in the note body...I can Advance Search and generate a report from my Zotero library.

Thanks for any confirmation or ideas! I just have been plugging ahead with sorting...and didn't really confirm my "system" worked yet. Not the best way to go about it, so am trying to confirm.

Thanks.

adamsmith

2) The saved search will appear at the bottom of your collections (what you call folders, though note that collections are _not_ the same as folders, the closest analogy are perhaps itunes playlists or gmail categories) in the left-hand panel.

3) One option would be to set up a saved search for each chapter, that'd seem faster then going through an advanced search each time. Also, since you have a tag, too, you should be able to just click on that tag in the tag selector on the bottom left to just display items with that tag.

nayr497

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the response.

2) Got it! I see them down there. And thank you for correcting my terminology.

3) Question - Are you able to select more than one tag at a time?

Example: I might have numerous Ch. 5 tags - Ch. 5 Environment, Ch. 5 Developments, Ch. 5 Meaning

Is there a way to highlight all three and see all of them for Ch. 5?

Not a big deal, since I can kinda work around this with the advanced search for "Chapter 5" in the notes section.

Thanks for your reply!

adamsmith

Is there a way to highlight all three and see all of them for Ch. 5?

no. Multiple selected tags are combined with AND, not with OR if that makes sense.

nayr497

Thanks, Adam.

I think my "system" is working for now and that Zotero is allowing me to organize my files and notes in a useful way.

I think I'm good for now! Thanks.

ipr.iperceptions

One improvement in Zoreto you should think about is having the possibility to move the saved searches is collections. When you have numerous saved searches (for reporting considerations), having them all listed without the possibility to collapse them like collections is not ideal.

adamsmith

that's a long-standing ticket https://www.zotero.org/trac/ticket/965
it's just not been implemented, but certainly something that devs are aware of as a pretty frequently requested feature.