Copying attachments from one group library to another

policynut
I am trying to copy several hundred citations with pdf attachments from one Zotero group library to another. Each time I drag the citations with these attachments from the current location to the new library, only the citation information is copied to the new file, and the attachments (including pdfs) are all missing. How can I successfully transfer the citations while keeping all of the associated attachments together with the actual citation information.
  • dstillman
    Make sure you have it set to copy attachments in the General pane of the Zotero prefs.

    If it is, delete the attachment-less items that are already in the group library, empty the trash, and drag again. Zotero won't currently add attachments to previously dragged items.
  • policynut
    Thank you for the fast reply!

    I have the "include child snapshots and imported files" box checked. I took your advice, deleted all the files in the new folder, emptied the trash and tried again to add the citations, but the same thing happens again.

    Do you have any other suggestions how I might troubleshoot this?
  • dstillman
    If it's a public group you can't add files to it.
  • dstillman
    edited August 2, 2013
    Also, to be clear, you have to delete the previously dragged items from the library, not just from the collection. Not sure what you mean by "folder" in this context.

    http://www.zotero.org/support/collections_and_tags#removing_items_from_a_collection

    http://www.zotero.org/support/collections_and_tags#deleting_items_in_collections
  • policynut
    I'm actually trying to transfer between two private group libraries that are owned by the same person (my colleague). But, even the group's owner cannot transfer files in the manner that I am attempting.
  • dstillman
    edited August 2, 2013
    One of the groups you're an admin of has file editing disabled in its settings on the website. Fix that setting and sync.
  • jdrope
    Dan, this is policynut's colleague referenced above. Your last suggestion was spot-on. Thanks so much. The copying works like a charm now. And the speed of your replies is astounding!
  • wonblee
    @ Dan Stillman,

    Is the restriction on adding files to a public group still valid? Is it a copyright concern?

    Is there any getting around this? I'd like to give my students access to a group library without compelling them to subscribe to any service. I certainly recommend Zotero to everyone, but I'd like to leave it to their choice to sign up.
  • aurimas
    Is the restriction on adding files to a public group still valid? Is it a copyright concern?
    Yes to both. I'm not aware of any good solutions for publicly sharing files in Zotero. You could probably devise a scheme using Dropbox (probably with the help of ZotFile) and Dropbox links attached to Zotero items (I don't think there's anything that could automate this part).
Sign In or Register to comment.