Help! Cannot successfully import Endnote Library WITH attachments into Zotero

bburian
I have spent the better part of 4 hours trying to import my Endnote Library with all of its attachments into Zotero. I started by purchasing extra storage to make sure that there would be room for all the attachments. I’ve finally been able to import the library but none of the attachments came with. I’ve had to watch multiple videos on YouTube to get this far. If I can’t get someone (a real person, no AI bot) to actually help me with this I will cancel my account with you and stop payment for the extra storage.
  • adamsmith
    Please don't spend 4hs on an issue before asking for help (and then arrive here all frustrated). Also, one of the beauties of Zotero's pricing model is that it's fully functional without a subscription (you just need that for syncing files), so the idea is that people can actually test out if it works for them before paying for anything.

    To the imporr issue: The only relevant guidance for importing from Endnote is https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/endnote_import

    Note in particular the placement of the .XML file as explained under the bold "important" level.

    If that doesn't work, can you walk us through exactly what you did, where you placed the XML file and where (i.e.under which filepath) your PDFs are?
  • bburian
    So….I had no idea that this forum existed (and I did go through the entire quick start training) - your response to me sounds rather scolding - probably not the best tone to take when, as you identified, I am pretty frustrated. Could we please do a re-set?

    As per your guidance: "Navigate to your EndNote data directory (typically, My Documents\endnote.Data). This directory contains a 'PDF' folder, but you should be sure to select the data directory rather than any subfolder.
    This is important! Zotero will look for file attachments in a directory relative to the location of the exported XML file. If you save this file in the wrong spot, file attachments won't be included when you import into Zotero.”

    This is exactly where the XML file was located as several of the YouTube videos and other web-based guidance emphasized that this was where it needed to be in order for the attachments to be imported properly, though my Endnote folder is on my Desktop (not in Documents) as I use it a lot. FYI, Don’t know that it makes a difference but I am using a Mac (not a PC).

    I will try it again and let you know how it works.

    And by the way, the reason I purchased the extra storage is because I estimated that the free 300 MB wouldn’t be large enough for all the attachments. I am unclear about “syncing files” and what that means relative to needing or not needing extra storage - could you please explain this more? Thanks.
  • adamsmith
    And by the way, the reason I purchased the extra storage is because I estimated that the free 300 MB wouldn’t be large enough for all the attachments. I am unclear about “syncing files” and what that means relative to needing or not needing extra storage - could you please explain this more? Thanks.
    Zotero (in that sense not unlike Endnote) stores all your files locally. You never have to pay for that. Zotero _also_ offers to sync your library to its servers and between devices. Syncing item information (metadata) is also free, regardless of the size of your library. If you want Zotero to sync your files, too, you have to pay >300MB of files. See https://www.zotero.org/support/sync
    though my Endnote folder is on my Desktop (not in Documents) as I use it a lot. FYI, Don’t know that it makes a difference but I am using a Mac (not a PC).
    If it still doesn't work, it's be really helpful to have the actual filepath (you can XXX out your username) for the xml file (use right-click --> copy as path in File Explorer) and for one PDF (doesn't matter which) in your Endnote library.

    If you can then open the xml file (right-click --> Open with) in Notepad, search for the filename and take a screenshot of that section of the xml file and also post it here, that should let us understand what's going on.
  • bburian
    So it seemed to have worked this time. Thanks. If you could answer my question about extra storage and syncing files, I would appreciate it.

    I also need to share my library with colleagues - will see if I can find a document about how to do this but if you could direct me to those instructions as well I would be grateful.
  • adamsmith
    I answered syncing above. For sharing, look for groups
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