Automatically add a child note from marked text

b.grig · 2025-10-29T16:36:39+00:00

Hi everybody,

I'm looking for a very specific function and apparently I can't find the right terms to google it:
If I mark a next in the pdf-format it shows up as a note on the left side of the pdf-format. Now, I would likte zotero to automatically create a child note, that is visible under the article in the libary-format...
Is there a way to do this automatically?
Apparently I also can't add a note manually to my libary: When I click on the 3 points of a highlightes text note, I can't click on "Add as a note" (see image).
I'm grateful for every hint. :)
Thank you!

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u18629607/upn4gadteg0um8dm7wr1.png

tim820 · 2025-10-30T01:16:21+00:00

It's not automatic. You do it manually by first selecting Add Item Note in the right Note pane of the PDF (or selecting an existing item note there). Then "Add To Note" will be UN-dimmed on the single annotation you want to add to the note, so you can select it. It's not very intuitive (another option in the "..." menu to "Add to a New Note" would be useful). ;)

mjthoraval · 2025-10-30T13:25:55+00:00

@b.grig: If you want to see the annotations directly in your library in the items list, you can do that in Zotero beta: https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/123884/available-for-beta-testing-annotations-in-the-items-list/p1
You do not need to convert the annotations to separate child notes.