Can't Import RIS file to specific collection?

lhtmed
Hi, when I tried to import RIS formatted TXT file to Zotero, the imported citations can't show up in the current selected collection.
This import action will build a new collection when I check the options "Place imported collections and items into new collection"
Or, it will show imported citations in 'root' library.

BTW, I can't copy reference from one collection to another.
  • lhtmed
    Anyone encountered this before?
  • adamsmith
    So three things:
    1.
    This import action will build a new collection when I check the options "Place imported collections and items into new collection"
    That's working as designed then
    2.
    Or, it will show imported citations in 'root' library.
    I'm seeing the same (current beta version) and I think that's not right. It should import into the currently selected collection and it doesn't.

    3.
    BTW, I can't copy reference from one collection to another.
    Not sure what you mean here. What happens if you try?

    Finally, you can still get RIS import into an existing collection by selecting and copying the content of an RIS file (e.g. from a text editor) and then using "Import from Clipboard"
  • dstillman
    edited September 8, 2024
    I'm seeing the same (current beta version) and I think that's not right. It should import into the currently selected collection and it doesn't.
    That's not new — it happens in the production version too. And it was intentional, though I'm not sure exactly why. It does apply to Mendeley imports as well, but I can't think of a reason why imported collections from any import source couldn't just be added to the selected collection.

    I'm guessing the worry here was just that it would make it easy to accidentally pollute a current collection with a huge import, but as long as it defaults to creating a new collection, it doesn't seem like a huge problem.
  • lhtmed
    1."Import from Clipboard"
    This function meets my need!

    2. I use "Import from Clipboard".

    3. I mean I can't copy Item from current collection to another different collection.
    Or, when I right-click a selected Item, no menu of "Copy" or "Move to" are shown
  • sserebrinsky
    edited April 19, 2024
    Has this been changed to Importing to currently selected collection?
    Or are there plans to do so?
    It would be most useful.

    PS: In a Google search I get

    Here are some ways to import RIS files into Zotero:
    ...
    Drag and drop:
    1. Drag the RIS file onto the Zotero app icon in the Launcher
    2. The reference item will be created in the currently selected collection
    3. Dragging the same RIS file into a Zotero collection will copy it as a file
  • adamsmith
    The current behavior is still exactly as the above, I believe, but if you open an RIS file from your operating system (on Windows that's double-click; I think dragging to launcher on Mac has the same effect, though it doesn't work on Windows) it will open a dialog that offers to create a new collection and if you uncheck that option, will import into the currently selected collection, so that should give you what you need.

    (I also think that behavior makes the different behavior on import even more confusing)
  • dstillman
    Just to note, this has since been changed. If you don't choose to create a new collection, it imports into the current collection.
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