Unable to see my library in zotero

Anuli · September 6, 2022

I switch my personal files from zotero cloud to my Google drive and that worked out fine. However, after I switched zotero profiles (because I realized that I was working in an older profile that I had thought I discontinued), I could no longer see my personal library. I checked my google drive and the files are there and syncing. I have edited my zotero and zotfile preferences to point to my Google drive folder in the new profile and yet I can not see them (both citations and files). Kindly assist please.

dstillman · September 6, 2022

We can't help with this, sorry. These settings are in the Advanced preferences for a reason. We recommend using the default settings unless you absolutely know what you're doing.

In general, see Locating Missing Zotero Data. And note that where you store linked files doesn't have anything to do with seeing your library data.

Anuli · September 7, 2022

I had thought that the problem was with the base directory since I pointed it to the Google drive location where the linked files were stored. Note that I did not edit the data directory location, and I was using the default settings. I will review the link provided. Hopefully, I can find something to help me.

Anuli · September 8, 2022

I realized that I was trying to sync the database from one account to another and that's not possible as shown here https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/switching_accounts.
I had two accounts, one was pointing to the cloud and another was pointing to my Google drive. So I copied a larger zotero.sqlite file in a separate backup that I had into the active data directory and signed back into my previous account as indicated here - https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#locating_missing_zotero_data. This time I was able to see my files in the Google drive. However, I noticed that it seems to be syncing to the cloud (rather than my Google drive) as the files soon dissappear. At leaset I think that is what's happening. I have checked the settings in both zotero and zotfile preferences to confirm that it is pointing to my google drive and 'Sync attachment in My Library using Zotero' is unchecked as indicated here - https://tomsaunders.co.nz/zotero-with-google-drive/#:~:text=Head over to Google Drive,to be on your PC. So not sure why this is happening.