Download Library from Zotero Server

DGResearcher · December 18, 2017

I need to download my library from the server. By mistake, I deleted the entire library on my computer and don't have a backup. It looks like if I Sync, I'll delete my library from the server, as well. Can anyone help please?

bwiernik · December 18, 2017

Don’t worry, this is solveable.

When you say, “deleted the entire library on my computer”, what exactly did you do? Did you delete the items inside Zotero or delete the Zotero Files from your computer’s operating system?

DGResearcher · December 18, 2017

The latter- the whole file from the op system. I've been trying to find the Zotero Toolbar that disappeared after downloading version 5, and thought I'd try deleting the application and reinstalling. Instead I lost all my files.

bwiernik · December 18, 2017

Okay, so first you need to download and install the Zotero 5 desktop app:
https://zotero.org/download

Then, you can just set up Sync in Zotero and your library will sync down--Zotero only deletes items if you explicitly delete them within the program.

You can also look for the old library files on your computer:
https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/data_missing_after_zotero_5_upgrade

DGResearcher · December 18, 2017

Thank you so much, I downloaded the server files successfully. Now back to the Zotero toolbar issue. I'm using Word 2016, Microsoft 365, on an iMac Sierra. Is there a way to install the toolbar icons?

bwiernik · December 18, 2017

What specific version of Word (e.g., 15.41)?

DGResearcher · December 18, 2017

Yes, 15.41 is the version.

bwiernik · December 18, 2017

Okay, let’s continue this discussion here:
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/69433/plug-in-issue-word-could-not-communicate-with-zotero

adomasven · December 18, 2017

If you don't see the toolbar, you should first try going into Zotero Preferences -> Cite -> Word Processors and (re)installing the plugin there and restarting Word.

DGResearcher · December 18, 2017

Thank you adomasven, I've run through that sequence a few times. I do see a Zotero tab in Word, where I can access the citation functions. My preference, however, is to have those functions as clickable icons: the way they were before the 5.0 upgrade. It's just a little faster to click an icon that's always visible than toggle tabs.

bwiernik · December 19, 2017

The change is that you switched from Word 2011 to Word 2016, nothing to do with Zotero 5. Word 2016 doesn’t support floating toolbars like Word 2011 did, and unfortunately its features for customizing the Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar are broken for Macros and Add-Ins.

You can add keyboard shortcuts to quickly access the Zotero functions:
https://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_shortcuts

DGResearcher · December 19, 2017

Thank you bwiernik. I guess the Word 2016 developers weren't aware that users found the floating Zotero toolbar quite useful.