PDF size problem (space)

Nhaps
I have a ton of PDFs but limited SSD (hard drive) space. How is it possible to have Zotero grab the metadata for each of my PDFs, generate a reference for each, while not duplicating it in the zotero directory? Can this be done by just indexing the pdfs rather than importing?
  • adamsmith
    Yes. You can use link to the files instead of storing them in Zotero. You can do so either by using the "Link to File" option under the green plus sign and then selecting PDFs or by using Ctrl-Shift-drag on Windows/Linux, Cmd-Option-drag on OS X.

    Alternatively, you can move PDFs into Zotero instead of copying them using Cmd-drag on OS X, Shift on Windows and Linux
  • Nhaps
    Thanks! That's working so far. From this point on I should save new pdfs to a temp folder so I can link to Zotero. But the question is whether I can automate this. Is there is a way for Zotero to monitor new pdfs and link them automatically?
  • aurimas
    Where are you saving from? Generally, you want to use the URL bar icon to fetch metadata and associated PDFs from websites (where possible). This results in a single PDF (stored in Zotero's storage, which I guess you may not like) and, generally, much better metadata, plus everything is automatic (i.e. one click).

    http://zotfile.com/ has a watch folder feature if that's what you want, though idk if it can link to PDFs in a watch folder.
  • Nhaps
    @aurimas, I like to keep my pdfs in folders outside proprietary programs. This is the way I use other software as well, even if not best choice for metadata. I will check into the watch folder possibility.
  • aurimas
    You can also use ZotFile to move your stored PDFs out of Zotero data folder into some organized folder structure (based on metadata). This way you would be able to take advantage of automatic PDF imports and better metadata.
  • Nhaps
    Zotfile, interesting... I will try to learn about it. Thanks

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