Zotero on Firefox would not sync with Zotero Standalone

auster

Hi everybody,

I used to have no problem syncing zotero on firefox with zotero standalone. After saving an item on Firefox I would see it immediately in the STA.

Recently I reset my firefox profile and reinstalled zotero on firefox. All the item are in order in both places, but the sync does not happen immediately. If I want an item that I save in zotero on firefox to appear on STA, I need to 1) save the item, 2) open zotero on firefox, 3) push the sync button there, 4) wait a little. Only after that the item appear in STA.

How to repair it so that the sync become immediate as it used to be?

NB:
1) I made sure that sync automatically is on on both zoteroes.
2) Both zoteroes are updated.
3) There is no error message.

dstillman

You need to set the Zotero data directory to the same location from the Advanced → Files and Folders pane of the Zotero preferences in both programs.

dstillman

(And then, to avoid confusion and save space, you should move the old folder to a temporary location and, once you're sure you have all your data and files and everything is working properly, delete it.)

adamsmith

detailed instructions and discussion at
https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/sharing_data_directory

auster

Thank you very much! I'll do that.

I also just want to make sure I understand the logic right. Why do I actually need Zotero on FF? Is it to be able to 1) save items from the internet and 2) insert citations and bibliography into Word? If I delete Zotero from FF and leave STA only, I will not be able to do 1) and 2), right?