Imported Library is not "My Library"

subsub

I imported the library from my old computer, and it now appears in Zotero as "Imported (and the date)". This is not part of "My Library" but appears beneath it. "My Library" seems to contain all the citations that were imported but does not have any of the subfolders, which are only under the "imported" library.

So effectively I seem to have two libraries. Can I delete "My Library" (and if so how) and just use the one I imported?

arggem

"My Library" is always a master list of all your references. It can't be deleted. All other folders and sub-folders are "merely" virtual copies with a virtual organization. You can drag references from "My Library" to any number of collections or sub collections.

Your "Imported (date)" collection contains your My Library organized as it was imported. You don't really have two libraries.

At least that's how I understand it.

If that's not clear someone else should be along shortly to clarify.

subsub

I see. So I just entered a "Fake Book" by "Jake Fake" into one of the subfolders in the Imported library. The entry then also appears in "My Library" but not in the "Imported" library. This is confusing, though, because you get to the subfolders by clicking a + next to the Imported library.

So I guess my real question is, can I remove this "Imported" collection without losing the subfolders beneath it?

arggem

If you had the "imported library" selected with it's contents showing in the middle pane, and then entered Fake Book, it would show up in the imported library as well as, obviously "my library".

If you have "My Library" showing and enter a new item, it will not automatically appear in any subcollection.

You can rename the imported collection if that helps, but what I think you might want to do is drag each of your subfolders up to "My Library." (You need to do this one at at time, since you can't select all).

Once you finish dragging, your subfolders (and any other items that may not be in a subfolder) to My Library, your Imported library should be empty and all your subfolders will now be directly under My Library.

You can now delete the EMPTY (if it's not empty, drag any remaining items/folders to My Library) imported library folder.

Is that what you are aiming for?

subsub

Yes, that worked, thank you.

paolaborrione

I have the same problem but I cannot drag and drop files to my library from the sublibrary I imported...Can you help me?

arggem

Are you trying to maintain the subfolder structure the importanted folder "Imported date"? If so, the instructions above should work.

If you are simply trying to drag items from the center pane to "My Library" you will always get the cannot copy symbol because they are ALREADY in "My Library" by definition.