Should I make a new (but same) file just for Zotero?

Jaeyoon Yu
Hello, I started to use Zotero a couple of days ago. Before doing this, I have used Endnote and Mendeley. Now, I find Zotero very useful compared to others. But, I have some problem on file management.

My way of using Zotero is as follows:

1. I have my own folder (called as MYFOLDER, hereafter) including a bunch of PDF files.

2. I drag one file (MyPDF.pdf, hereafter) to Zotero standalone program. (I think this step copies the PDF file to another folder determined by Zotero (called as ZOTEROFOLDER hereafter). Is it true?)

3. I open the file by clikcing "Open in Exeternal Viewer" in the standalone (If this is the case, I think the file in ZOTEROFOLDER is opened).

4. After opening the file, I can make some annotations.

5. After closing the file, when I open MyPDF.pdf in MYFOLDER, I cannot find the above annotation since the annotation is attached to another file, MyPDF in ZOTEROFOLDER. But, I don't want to do this. I have the only file for this.

As a summary, under the current system, I have two folders for the same file:
1. D:\MYFOLDER\MyPDF.pdf (usually I open this file using window explorer)
2. D:\ZOTEROFOLDERMyPDF.pdf (usually I open this file using Zotero)

I don't want to make the second file. I want Zotero library connected to my original file. Is there any way to do this?
  • adamsmith
    if under 2.) you shift+drag (i.e. hold the shift key while dragging) instead of just drag, Zotero will link to the existing instead of storing it (you'll see this has worked by the different icon/symbol you see in Zotero).
  • Jaeyoon Yu
    Thank you, adamsmith!

    I am afraid that It doesn't work. I stayed pushing shift from when I click and drag the file on window explorer to when I put it on Zotero.

    May I ask you to give me a little bit more details?
  • adamsmith
    sorry, I typed this too quickly.
    It's
    Ctrl-Shift-drag on Windows/Linux, Cmd-Option-drag on OS X
  • Jaeyoon Yu
    edited November 23, 2015
    Thank you so much! That perfectly works. You give me a lot of space to save!

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