Import library

diegonc

Hello

Using the export library function, I created an RDF and saved it to a directory (with pdf files); this directory contains a file named 'Zotero-Library.rdf' and a folder named 'files'.

Now, when I try to import this RDF file, Zotero will create a collection named 'Zotero-Library' containing all the collections that were previously under the root of the library as sub-collections of Zotero-Library.

It seems all the items are added to a new collection named after the RDF file name instead of being put in the root of the library.

Is this intended behaviour? Can I import the RDF without creating that collection?

Thanks

noksagt

This is intended.

And please note that import/export is not the best method of transferring a library

diegonc

Well that's the only way accessible from the UI; except for Sync which I discarded for network bandwidth issues. But now that I have a good connection, I just synced.

> Warning
>
> Exporting and importing your library (for instance via Zotero RDF) is
> not a recommended option. None of the available export formats allow
> for a complete transfer of your library data.
>

What data would be missing?

noksagt

What data would be missing?

Among other things, collection information (as you've discovered) & the items will have new internal identifiers, so will not work with any Word/LibreOffice document that you've used them in. There may be other issues (because, again, import is ot meant for this).

adamsmith

collections information actually shouldn't be lost using Zotero RDF. Item relations (i.e. the content of the Related tab) are, though. There are also a couple of fields where import/export may not fully roundtrip, I believe related to conferences.

diegonc

Ok, good to know. Thanks!

Gurdas_Sandhu

@diegonc Were you trying to export-import a part of your library or the entire library? If entire library, I am curious why you did not simply copy the entire Zotero data directory over to wherever you need it. The Zotero data directory can be located through Preferences > Advanced > Files and Folders.

diegonc

@gurdas

I was trying to backup the entire library to restore it after installing Windows from scratch.

While making copies of things in my user directory, I probably came across Zotero files. But, as I wasn't already familiar with how things are stored, I couldn't figure what to copy.

Export is the first related command I found, and I used that :P

To be honest, I didn't do much research, neither in the preferences nor in the Internet.