Move PDFs out of zotmoov and into Zotero again

sharonrosenrauch
Hi team

I followed my institutions instructions and set up Zotmove to move all my PDFs in my library to a folder in iCloud. I am having issues with this and would prefer to have all the PDFs kept back in my paid Zoterro storage. Are you able to assist with how I may be able to restore settings and undo zotmov taking all files into an iCloud folder?


Note this question applies both to moving existing files out of zotmov and future PDFs.
  • tim820
    edited 5 days ago
    To be clear, Zotmoov doesn't actually "have" your linked PDF files, so you're not moving them "out of" Zotmoov. ;) They are in a linked files folder you designated (to Zotmoov). The exact location of each linked file was written into the Zotero database, just as if they were in local Zotero storage. That's how Zotero can open linked files, without any need to interact with Zotmoov.

    To move linked attachment files back under Zotero\storage, select the items whose linked files you want to move back (ideally in workable-size chunks), then select Tools\Manage Attachments\Convert Linked Files to Stored Files. Note that Zotero must be able to find the PDFs at the location for each of them which has been stored in the Zotero database, in order to move the files back.

    You should then also uninstall Zotmoov, since you no longer want it to move *future* PDFs (eg downloaded via the Zotero Connector) to the linked files folder.
  • sharonrosenrauch
    Thank you! The worst has happened it’s corrupted my library.

    I have an iCloud backup “Zoterro” folder from just before everything was deleted. How do I go about restoring everything ? Do I delete the app zoterro (as well the corrupted based director folder) and reinstall it then make my backup the new “base directory”?

    Tomorrow I’ll be travelling and will have plenty of time to play with zoterro directory.
    If I make changes while offline (in airplane mode) then as soon as I reconnect to internet with my laptop / updated changes will this sync to the online zoterro or am I better off waiting until I’m in Internet to make changes?
  • dstillman
    You're misunderstanding something.

    Convert Linked Files to Stored Files does exactly that and couldn't possibly "corrupt" anything, but as @tim820 said (and as I said via email), the linked files would have to have been accessible at the correct locations before using that. If they weren't, the files wouldn't be accessible as stored files either. That's not something that I, at least, can help you with — we specifically do not provide support for linked files, for exactly this sort of reason (and it's completely inappropriate for your institution to be recommending linked files and third-party plugins unless they're also willing to help you with any problems).
  • sharonrosenrauch
    That’s fine but are you able to provide support for how to restore a backup of Zoterro? Should I delete the app entirely ? I’ve also asked other questions regarding work offline and whether that would sync with online as soon as I get into internet?
  • dstillman
    https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#restoring_your_zotero_data_from_a_backup1
  • sharonrosenrauch
    Thank you that’s helpful. Can I just check the response to my question about working on Zoterro offline?
  • dstillman
    Overwriting the online version from a backup is covered in the linked documentation.
  • sharonrosenrauch
    Thanks. Honestly given how much you pay for additional storage I would have thoughts the customer service would have been better / more polite ...
  • dstillman
    edited 4 days ago
    This has nothing to do with a storage subscription. You're using a workflow — via a third-party plugin — that we specifically do not provide support for, and we say so clearly in our documentation:
    Given the advanced nature of linked-file workflows, and the differences on individual systems, we're not able to help troubleshoot problems with specific setups.
    That's the reason we can't help you further.

    We're happy to help you with other Zotero issues — we help countless people a day here.
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