Upgrade StorageAll PDF File Attachments Turned into Web File Links after an Old Sync
I've been working with Zotero on a new computer for about a month, and then activated the sync to my online account that I created with my old computer. I have quite a few files, and I did not want all of the PDFs stored online, so my online account only has the links. However, when I activated the sync on this local computer, all physical pdf attachments turned into the web linked files.
I checked my Zotero/storage directory, and the pdfs are still stored in that directory. How do I get those physical pdfs attached to each library item on my desktop application with out manually going in and re-attaching each file?
I checked my Zotero/storage directory, and the pdfs are still stored in that directory. How do I get those physical pdfs attached to each library item on my desktop application with out manually going in and re-attaching each file?
Can you provide a screenshot of what you're referring to?
Note that you're at your file-storage quota, so any files you added on another computer wouldn't be synced to this computer unless you transferred the data directory manually.
In the following screen shot, just last week, all of these library items indicated that a physical PDF is attached under the attachment column (the rightmost column). Now, those pdf icons are not there. If you look specifically at the Niziol et al. attachment (highlighted on the screen), you can see that the icon indicates that only a web link is attached.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u15425529/balkmdgngam6yypjj3c3.png
Now, entering my Zotero directory, I can confirm that the highlighted item is, in fact, the PDF that should be attached under the Niziol et al. item.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u15425529/wdwr5dx8uxcm05omyote.png
I could just go in and re-attach this pdf to the library item, but I don't want to do that for the 100s of files missing their pdf location. Does that make more sense?
Assuming you have the original data somewhere, you should sort the library by Date Added and just delete that whole set of items.
Unless you did something outside of Zotero, the file in 'storage' would have an associated item in your library. You can paste '6LREVJIJ' (or any of the other folder names) into the Zotero search bar in All Fields & Tags mode to see it.
If you still have the old computer, you should do a proper transfer, either by adding a storage plan so that all files can sync or by copying the data directory.
Don't re-attach anything manually.
So, if I delete all items that 1.) exist on my previous computer and 2.) don't have a pdf attachment, I should be able to merge with the newer items on this current computer without issue?
This is an export/import. These are not the same items that you were using before — they're duplicates that you created when you imported. Again, just look at the timestamps. These items literally did not exist in your Zotero library before February 3.
If you're going to post here, you're going to have to trust that we know what we're talking about.
You can scroll further down in the list, sorted by Date Added, to see all the items in your library from before the import, dating back years.
The folder you show, 6LREVJIJ, is just a standalone attachment added to your library in March 2024. It doesn't have a parent item and (obviously) can't have anything to do with items that you created via an import in February 2025.
But your latest additions to this thread are helpful! Ok. So, I did incorrectly import all items when I first got this computer (around Feb. 3, obviously). But, after reading the correct way to do it, I promptly deleted the Zotero Storage on the new computer, and imported everything correctly before opening Zotero. (Your latest post confirms this)
I do not have two Niziol et al. items on my desktop application (only the Feb. 3 one). I do not have any duplicates of the Feb. 3 items. I'm assuming you see my two Niziol et al. items on my online library. How do I revert and/or re-sync my desktop applications to ensure I get the old, previously existing items?
Ok! Ok I'm grasping what happened now. I think I can manage from here.
Thank you for taking the time to look at this problem.
I will reiterate, this is ultimately my fault for doing an incorrect import. But it is unfortunate that this happened simply because I synced at the wrong times. Thank you again for your help.
Zotero currently only lets you merge items one set at a time, though. I believe there are plugins that will let you choose all older or all newer items.
When I restore the collections from the Trash to the library, the collections are returned as empty folders.
However, to solve my organization issue, If I merge the duplicate items in Zotero's Duplicates folder, the organization is retained. So that's helpful too.