unlinked references
my references got unlinked without me doing anything, and now when I add new citations a new list starts under the old one, so there are like 2 (1), (2) etc. the old list is still there at the bottom page but not connected to the numbers in the text..
There are several ways that field codes can be removed from a document.
You can issue a command to remove them.
You can save your document to a new file format.
You can send your document to someone who opens your document in a different word processor and they save the document in a different format before returning it to you.
I've probably overlooked other ways this can happen.
I have several recommendations and comments. It is allways good practice to save incremental backups of your working document. I try to remember to save-as my document at least every 2 pages of work. MyDocument02, MyDocument03, MyDocument04, etc.
I never, ever share the most recent version of a document without saving it as a new version that incorporates an indicator of who received it -- usually I include the recipients' initials. For example, MyDocument04-abc. This way, even if the file when it is returned to me has not lost its field codes, I can easily distinguish my working document from the copy I received with comments. Another option is to send a pdf document not a word processor version.
Even if the worst happens and you do not have a backup with Zotero field codes, adding codes is not going to require many hours of effort. If your document uses a numbered style, use a print-out to replace the reference number with the proper Zotero reference. If you use an author (date) style you will need to spend more time getting the Zotero reference settings to match the sentence structure. I learned from my own mistake when I had to reinsert 400+ citations at the final stage of writing my doctoral thesis. Once I started, the process didn,t take too much time. The time wasn't altogether lost. The careful rereading process allowed be to find and correct typos and to clarify a few ambiguties I hadn't noticed with the normal reading process.
Good luck.
This is driving my crazy, as it seems totally random and there does not seem to be any precaution to avoid it.
The references at least APPEAR unlinked. When I click into one of them "Add/edit citation" it is not pointing to that particular reference. Also, when I add a new one, even at the end of the document, it is numbered as [1]. Finally, when I "Refresh" it gives the message that I need to have at least one citation in the document.
(Also, as you've noticed yourself, because it's an open XML format and not a binary, it's much easier to troubleshoot).
Phew!