Changing synchronization account
Hello
I need to change my zotero account, in order to synchronize my library with a new one. Note that I do not want to delete this library, I just want to use a other synchronization account.
I've created the new account (but not deleted the old one yet), and I've changed the user name in the Sync pane of the Preferences. Then, I've clicked on the button "Set the synchronization" (on something like that, mine is in French). This operation should be enough for my goal, shouldn't be ?
Here, I get this worrying warning message : "This Zotero library database was last synced with a different account ('username_old') from the current one ('username_new'). If you continue, data associated with the 'username_old' account will be removed from this computer".
I find it ambiguous. What does it exactly mean ?
1- *just* the synchronization data of 'username_old' will removed (but not my library). In this case, there is no danger.
2- *all* the data of 'username_old' will be removed (synchronization data AND my library). In this case, I will lost all my data.
Can I continue safely ? Have I misunderstood something ?
Thank you in advance to enlighten me.
I need to change my zotero account, in order to synchronize my library with a new one. Note that I do not want to delete this library, I just want to use a other synchronization account.
I've created the new account (but not deleted the old one yet), and I've changed the user name in the Sync pane of the Preferences. Then, I've clicked on the button "Set the synchronization" (on something like that, mine is in French). This operation should be enough for my goal, shouldn't be ?
Here, I get this worrying warning message : "This Zotero library database was last synced with a different account ('username_old') from the current one ('username_new'). If you continue, data associated with the 'username_old' account will be removed from this computer".
I find it ambiguous. What does it exactly mean ?
1- *just* the synchronization data of 'username_old' will removed (but not my library). In this case, there is no danger.
2- *all* the data of 'username_old' will be removed (synchronization data AND my library). In this case, I will lost all my data.
Can I continue safely ? Have I misunderstood something ?
Thank you in advance to enlighten me.
At the moment, the best method for changing your account while keeping your local library is to export the library as Zotero RDF, change the account, then re-import the library to the new account.
See details here:
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/282313#Comment_282313
So, if I well understand you : the meaning of this ambiguous warning is the option number 2, isn't it ?
It seems a more uncertain operation than I imagined. Humm... maybe I won't change my account finally.
But it's an anecdotal reason. At least it's not a sufficient reason to exporting/re-importing my database and risking to loose something.
For sure, it would be a lot easier if Zotero permitted us to change our username... :-)
In my case, the reason I wanted to switch accounts was in order to deliver training. I wanted to use a clean account for demonstration purposes, which also puts me in the position of someone just starting with the package. I understand that next time I do this, I should export my library (including attachments) to a backup location, so it can be re-imported again when I switch back.
I think the warning message could be clearer, it should really spell out what the consequences will be: all attachments will be deleted and if these are not backed up in the cloud or somewhere else it will not be possible to recover them. To people such as myself who are more familiar with Mendeley than with Zotero, it is hard to believe that unlinking an account would result in all associated files being erased.
Unlinking alone does not actually delete your local data unless you specifically check the box to delete said data. Using a different account does, and that says explicitly it will overwrite your local data -- not quite sure how to be clearer about that?
I understood that it is no longer possible from zotero 5, but i had the impression from your comment that there might be a change in the future:
dstillman August 21, 2017
"I think we should just allow username changes. Seems like that should take care of the vast majority of cases where people want to do this and using an intermediate group library would be sufficient for the rest."
This Zotero database was last synced with a different account (“a”) from the one you are attempting to sync with (“b”). If you continue, all Zotero libraries associated with the “b” account will be removed from this computer.
Before continuing, make sure all data and files you wish to keep have been synced with the “b” account or you have a backup of your Zotero data directory.
You can switch between accounts just fine. As it says, it will delete your local data when it switches to the other account. It's no different from logging out while removing local data and logging in to the other account.
What you can't do is switch between accounts and somehow merge data between the two accounts.