cannot rename pdf

KristenPrinzing

HI!
I cannot rename pdfs. The options suggested in other discussions (right click, etc) do not appear. I also cannot attach a "child" note to it. So I have a useless file item as there is no metadata either. I got it from interlibrary loan and they named the pdf "ILLIAD" which is not indexable in any useful way. Please help!!!

dstillman

https://www.zotero.org/support/adding_items_to_zotero#adding_pdfs_and_other_files

KristenPrinzing

Which area are you suggesting will help? I still am unable to make it respond with usable fields. I tried to follow the suggestions in the "Editing Items" and lower areas, but none of this has worked.

dstillman

You need to create a parent item, as that section explains.

KristenPrinzing

Hi!
Yes, I attempted that multiple times, but the options provided do not include anything that I can usefully input into the field. I was going to add an image of what I am seeing, but there is not a way to do that here. I'm actually pretty tech comfortable usually, and I thought I had been able to change file names before (probably by doing some of the things suggested) but it just seems as though the system is no longer allowing me that option for some reason.

dstillman

You can take a screenshot, upload it somewhere (e.g., Dropbox or Google Drive), and provide a link here.

KristenPrinzing

Actually, I just figured out the workaround I may have used previously. I clicked on the "new item" icon while in the collection the pdf is stored in, and then moved the pdf there. I can name the new item then, so that I can find the item later. It still means a lot of work later on to get all the details in, but at least I can find the item by title and author now.

dstillman

I mean, that's not a "workaround" — you just need to create a parent item one way or another if you want to add metadata. Creating a parent item via New Item is one of the various ways the linked section mentions, but it's usually the least-desirable option.

If you're having trouble with the other ways, quote them from that section, say what you don't understand, and provide a link to a screenshot showing where you're getting stuck.