Google Docs connector bug prevents use "Z" button or "add citation" buttons

mgerber01
I am using google docs on a large document (28 pgs, 100+ citations). I worked on the document in July/August and everything was fine. I started working on it again this week and Zotero has been bugging out. First I had an issue with a corrupt citation that prevented any edits. Once I finally fixed that, zotero hasn't worked properly. I can only add and edit citations by using Cntl+Alt+C. Directly clicking on the citation doesn't work. Clicking the "Z" button on the docs connector doesnt work. Nativating to the zotero dropdown and clicking "Add/edit citation" doesn't work. Theres no error message, nothing happens. I can only add things by using the short cut. Zotero also appears to be having a hard time adding citations. It takes FOREVER (like 2-3min each time I add a citation). Once the citation is added, it isn't numbered correctly (using ACS citation style). Citations are numbered according to the order they appear, so if you add something in the middle, the rest of the citations usually change automatically. I am having to manually refresh through the zotero dropdown to get it to update.

Any suggestions? Is anyone else having these issues? I feel like Zotero is extremely fragile and anything I do will break it.

  • dstillman
    edited 4 days ago
    I can only add and edit citations by using Cntl+Alt+C. Directly clicking on the citation doesn't work.
    It's possible the citation dialog is appearing behind your browser window. Look through your other windows. (The window would belong to the Zotero app.) If you're sure it's not that, provide a Debug ID from Zotero for reloading Google Docs and reproducing this.
    t takes FOREVER (like 2-3min each time I add a citation).
    Make sure you've disabled "Automatic citation updates" from the plugin's Document Preferences window.
    Once the citation is added, it isn't numbered correctly (using ACS citation style). […] I am having to manually refresh through the zotero dropdown to get it to update.
    This would happen if you do in fact have "Automatic citation updates" disabled. (In Google Docs, the citations would also have a gray highlight.) The point is it avoids unnecessary work until you do a manual refresh.
    I feel like Zotero is extremely fragile and anything I do will break it.
    Google Docs is just fundamentally going to be slower and more fragile. For a large document with many citations, you may want to consider using Word or LibreOffice, which don't need to interact with a remote third-party service. (If you do want to switch, see Moving Documents with Zotero Citations Between Word Processors.)
  • mgerber01
    Thank you for the help!
    I have submitted a Debug form. I will try unchecking automatic citations so Zotero doesn't have to work as hard.
  • dstillman
    You would need to post the Debug ID here if you want us to look at it.
  • mgerber01
    Sorry, I started a new thread with the ID. Here it is: 842985478
  • dstillman
    That's a Report ID, not a Debug ID.
  • dstillman
    Can you update to Zotero Connector 5.0.185, reload Google Docs, and try again? (Your browser may have already updated the Connector.)
  • mgerber01
    It works! Thank you for your help! I am extremely grateful!!!
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