Unable to add EPUB in Zotero 7.0.5

cberrigan
There are some EPUBs in my library that I am unable to add to Zotero. I have tried all manner of things including:

- Dragging and dropping the EPUB onto the Zotero menu bar icon (nothing happens)
- Using "attach" to add the file to the entry in Zotero (the file is grayed out and cannot be attached)
- Dragging and dropping the EPUB onto the parent item in Zotero (nothing happens)

Some EPUBs seem to work fine, others do not. I was having this same issue in Zotero 6. The update didn't fix it.

Thanks for your tips!
  • martynas_b
    Can you send an example file to support@zotero.org with a link to this thread?
  • AbeJellinek
    edited September 23, 2024
    Are these EPUBs from Apple Books? See this thread. We're working on making Apple Books EPUBs usable in Zotero.
  • cberrigan
    Thanks for both of your replies! Indeed, I was trying to attach an EPUB that had been modified by the Apple Books program. After re-downloading it from the publisher's website where I had purchased the book, I was able to add it to Zotero and read it within the app.

    What a shame about Apple Books though... I have many books in there that I would like to transfer over to Zotero (and never use Apple Books again!)
  • AbeJellinek
    edited September 30, 2024
    For now, copy the Apple Books EPUBs you want to import into a folder (e.g. on your desktop), then paste and run this in Zotero's Tools -> Run JavaScript window:

    var { Subprocess } = ChromeUtils.import('resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.jsm');
    var { FilePicker } = ChromeUtils.importESModule('chrome://zotero/content/modules/filePicker.mjs');

    var fp = new FilePicker();
    fp.init(window, 'Select Directory Containing EPUBs', fp.modeGetFolder);
    fp.appendFilters(fp.filterAll);
    if (await fp.show() === fp.returnOK) {
    let dir = fp.file;
    await Subprocess.call({
    command: '/bin/bash',
    arguments: ['-c', `
    mkdir -p "Converted"
    find . -name '*.epub' -type d -maxdepth 1 |
    while read epub_package; do
    epub_file="$PWD/Converted/$epub_package"
    cd "$epub_package"
    [ -f "$epub_file" ] && continue
    zip -0 -X "$epub_file" mimetype
    zip -9 -X -r -u "$epub_file" *
    cd ..
    done
    `],
    workdir: dir
    });
    return "Success";
    }
    else {
    return "Cancelled";
    }

    When the Open dialog shows, select the folder you put the Apple Books EPUBs in. Fixed copies will appear in a new subfolder called Converted. You should be able to add them to your Zotero library.

    We'll support adding Apple Books EPUBs directly in the future.
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