Report ID: 957339457- Google Docs unable to add citation

alucalind
I am attempting to add a citation into a Google Doc. Zotero is integrated into Google Docs and I click on Add Citation. The first time I was able to do add a citation. After that first time, when I click on Add Citation, I get a pop-up window showing the Citation Preferences window within Zotero. If I click on Cancel there, then I get a message that I cannot add a Zotero field in this location.

I have edited the document using Google's Suggested Changes, however I switch to Editing mode when trying to add a citation. I must use Google Docs and any suggestions would be most appreciated.
  • adomasven
    That doesn't sound right. You would only get a message indicating that you cannot insert a Zotero field if you are trying to do it in a link, which is not allowed because Zotero citations are stored as links in the doc. But the operation should just cancel if you get the citation preferences window, which, once again, you shouldn't see, if you have inserted citations in this document before.

    Can you test in a new document and see whether it works there? Then test in the document you are working with trying to insert a citation outside a link? Press OK in the doc prefs dialog if it comes up.
  • alucalind
    edited April 21, 2023
    It works in the newly created document. I wasn't entirely clear about what wasn't working. I am creating a document where I want references included at the end of each section. It's a business document, so I' not really looking for a formal bibliography. I've been right clicking on a document and selecting Create Bibliography, copy to clipboard and then inserting that information in the reference section. The Create bibliography wasn't working, and the insert citation was working as described above. For a few specific documents, I am not getting the Create Bibliography option. (I tried to do a screenshot and attach, however I cannot attach it.)

    I also attempted to use the Create Bibliography option in the new document, and it didn't work there either. It may be the document type or metadata. It is an ISO/IEC document for Risk management definitions. All my other ISO/IEC documents work fine.
  • dstillman
    @alucalind: If you're continuing a thread from four years ago, it kind of helps to acknowledge that and explain what the connection is to the above issue. A lot changes in four years. And if you're no longer using the Google Docs plugin, your current issue doesn't have anything to do with this thread, so it's just more confusing to continue here.
    For a few specific documents, I am not getting the Create Bibliography option. (I tried to do a screenshot and attach, however I cannot attach it.)
    You can take a screenshot, upload it somewhere (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), and provide a link here.
  • alucalind
    I apologize for the confusion. I didn't even realize that this was an old comment. I thought I was creating a new comment.

    I am still using the Google Docs plugin. This is a previously created document that is undergoing major restructuring and revisions. I added a new document to a subfolder of my library to use as reference material. As a result of those revisions, I added several new citations. I was able to create the citation for this new document, but as I described in the post three days ago, the option to create a bibliography is missing.

    Creating a bibliography and copying it to the clipboard is essential since I am not making a formal bibliography but a list of references for each chapter or section in this policy document.

    Here's a link to the screenshot. https://drive.google.com/file/d/10IsTlVtdCN-Qnj-BGJLhMoFb06NAB6xw/view?usp=sharing
  • adamsmith
    Create bibliography doesn't use the google docs add-on though. The reason you're not seeing that is that these are just files -- you need to actually add metadata for these (right-click --> Create Parent Item). There's nothing to cite with just the file.
  • alucalind
    I did that and added some information. That did work, so thank you for that.
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