copying zotero files to a USB

csomore

Hello,

I would like to share my files with a colleague who does not have zotero on a USB key (flash drive). I have trouble however exporting the files. I can export them as a list of bibliography, but cannot copy the actual files from zotero standalone and paste them to the USB. I tried looking up the Zotero data directory and perhaps copy the files from there, but the folders are coded differently there and it is difficult to identify them. Is there any easy way I can transfer my files to a non-zotero user?

Many thanks

adamsmith

depends how many files and how often you want to do this.
For just a couple, right-click on the attachment --> show file. This will open the folder with the file in your file system (e.g. Windows Explorer, Mac Finder) and you can drag it to your email.

If you're going to do this a lot, install the zotfile add-on (www.zotfile.com) and use the "send to tablet" function.

csomore

Thank you. There are about 30 files, so I am looking for a handy solution. I installed zotfile, specified the Base folder and ticked the "Use zotfile to send and get files from tablet" box in the zotfile preferences, as described on the webpage you sent above. However, I cannot see the "Select to tablet" option when I rightclick on the items and go to the "Manage attachments" menu. I tried restarting zotero standalone but it made no difference.

adamsmith

Is this in a group? That's the only reason I know of that you wouldn't have that option. You do have a green check mark after the base folder in the Table Settings tab of the ZotFile preferences?

csomore

Yes, that's it, it's in a group! Moving the whole folder to the personal library should not be a big deal, I guess. I'll try to copy it from there tomorrow (I don't have access to my work PC now.)

csomore

Hi,
I moved the folder to My library and the "Send to tablet" option has become available, but does not work. I get the following error message:

"Attachments skipped because they are top level items, snapshots or the file does not exist"

Also, I cannot open my files anymore, neither in My library nor the Group.

It gives the following error message:

"Attached file could not be found. Maybe it was changed or deleted outside of Zotero" (my translation).

I do have zotero installed on my home computer, but it's still without the zotfile extension. All what I did yesterday, is that I moved the folder in question from the Group to My Library. Could that be a problem?

csomore

I got it! I had to synchronize the data from the zotero server (in Tools, not just using the green arrow in the top right corner of the standalone). Thank you for the support, I am really happy now!