Can not import PDF files to Zotero

gmeirelles
Hello,

I have replaced my computer and I am now unable to import PDF files into Zotero. I drag them and drop into any folder, but nothing happens. Any hint?
  • dstillman
    On Windows, this is usually a result of running Zotero as the wrong user — e.g., running Zotero as Administrator rather than your current user.

    On Linux, this is usually a result of using a third-party sandboxed package rather than the official tarball or zotero-deb package.
  • dstillman
    (Note, though, that while this should certainly work, adding PDFs from the filesystem isn't the usual way to get PDFs into Zotero. See Adding Items to Zotero if you haven't.)
  • gmeirelles
    Thanks for the reply. I am running it on Mac.

    I have recently replaced my computer and have imported my library back from Zotero Cloud. I have then copied the "storage" folder from the previous machine. I can normally read and open my previous PDFs, but I can not import any new PDF.
  • dstillman
    edited November 2, 2021
    Can you provide a Report ID?

    I'd guess that the 'storage' folder just has incorrect permissions, which you can fix via Get Info.
  • gmeirelles
    Sure. Just did it!

    Report ID number: 1980164616


    [JavaScript Error: "Unix error 13 during operation open on file /Users/gustavomeirelles/Zotero/storage/A4BU56NN/.zotero-ft-cache (Permission denied)"]

    version => 5.0.96.3, platform => MacIntel, oscpu => Intel Mac OS X 10.16, locale => pt-BR, appName => Zotero, appVersion => 5.0.96.3, extensions => Zotero LibreOffice Integration (5.0.25.SA.5.0.96.3, extension), Zotero Word for Mac Integration (5.0.36.SA.5.0.96.3, extension)
  • dstillman
    Right, so it's what I say — the permissions are just wrong on the folder you copied. (For what it's worth, it's usually better to use Migration Assistant when transferring data from another Mac, since that generally these problems.) You'll need to fix this via File → Get Info in the Finder and make sure that your current user has read and write privileges to the 'storage' folder and all subfolders and files.
  • gmeirelles
    Working perfectly now, thank you!

    I agree with you. Unfortunately, I do not have my previous computer anymore. I lost it to a heavy rain... :((((

    What is the best way of backing up my Zotero folders? Can I just send it to Time Capsule using Time Machine?
  • dstillman
    Yes, just using Time Machine is fine.
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