In Zotero 8, you cannot make {{citationKey}} a file name for export. Even though it is listed here as a possible name in the FILE RENAMING Zotero page.
File renaming and export are two different features in Zotero.
{{citationKey}} is a variable available in the file renaming system. If a citation key is set for an item, and your renaming template includes {{citationKey}}, it will be correctly used when Zotero renames attached files.
Exporting is separate. When you export items, you manually choose the filename in the save dialogue - this is not connected to the file renaming template, so {{citationKey}} won’t be applied automatically there.
If this doesn’t clarify things, could you share what exactly you’re exporting and what behaviour you expected?
Thank you for your attention. I am new to this system, I've been working since October to create this workflow. I do a lot of workarounds I am sure and now the flow is broken and I don't know where the break has happened.
I tested everything again this morning. This {{citationKey}} now works in the rename file in Zotero which is fantastic. That really helps move this issue along!
That hasn't been working until today. The last issue is I cannot create a Literature note in Obsidian as I had before. I realize this isn't a zotero issue except - the system stopped working when I upgraded. I think perhaps I don't understand the difference between a file name and a better bib tex created citation?
My Zotero 7 workflow: Zotero + Better BibTex + Attanger --> Move/Link PDF file to Obsidian - PDFs live in Obsidian. The {{citationKey}} created/Pinned by BBT would become file name within Obsidian.
Work Flow Find article on web browser Use Zotero Connector Double Check information pane that {{citationKey}} was correct: last name of author_first word of title_year. In BBT this was zotero.clean. Create PDF on web browser Download PDF to Downloads File Link PDF file in zotero Use Attanger to link and move PDF to Obsidian.
THIS IS NOW WORKING - I was unable to get this far before this morning.
Now that a PDF exists in Obsidian I create a Literature Note which is where I keep the annotations and my notes about the PDF. This is the last step and it is not working.
I use a PlugIn in Obsidian called Citations. I realize perhaps this is part of the break.
I just found a fix I wanted to share if anyone is having the same issues:
The most likely cause is the Zotero 8 + Better BibTeX citation‑key migration: Zotero Integration is still “talking” to Zotero, but the plugin is no longer getting a usable citekey / format back, so the progress bar flashes and nothing is inserted.
Open Zotero Preferences → Advanced → Config Editor and verify extensions.zotero.httpServer.localAPI.enabled is true (Zotero’s local API has to be on for Obsidian to receive data).
In your Zotero library, check that items actually have a Citation Key (new Zotero-native field). If these are blank after the migration dialog, Zotero Integration may have nothing to insert.
If keys are missing (it was my case on the articles I uploaded after the new Zotero update), regenerate them. How to regenerate them:
Regenerate for specific items:
Select one or more items in your Zotero library (use Ctrl/Cmd+A for all in a collection). Right-click → Better BibTeX → Refresh (or Refresh BibTeX key). This applies your BBT citation key pattern and populates the Citation Key field in the right pane. Regenerate for entire library:
Go to Zotero → Edit → Preferences → Better BibTeX tab.
Confirm or set your Citation key pattern (default is auth.lower + shorttitle(3,3) + year; edit if needed for your academic style).
Select all items (Ctrl/Cmd+A across libraries/collections).
Right-click → Better BibTeX → Refresh. BBT will generate/pin stable keys based on authors, title, and year, avoiding clashes.
Upgrade Storage
{{citationKey}} is a variable available in the file renaming system. If a citation key is set for an item, and your renaming template includes {{citationKey}}, it will be correctly used when Zotero renames attached files.
Exporting is separate. When you export items, you manually choose the filename in the save dialogue - this is not connected to the file renaming template, so {{citationKey}} won’t be applied automatically there.
If this doesn’t clarify things, could you share what exactly you’re exporting and what behaviour you expected?
I tested everything again this morning. This {{citationKey}} now works in the rename file in Zotero which is fantastic. That really helps move this issue along!
That hasn't been working until today. The last issue is I cannot create a Literature note in Obsidian as I had before. I realize this isn't a zotero issue except - the system stopped working when I upgraded. I think perhaps I don't understand the difference between a file name and a better bib tex created citation?
My Zotero 7 workflow: Zotero + Better BibTex + Attanger --> Move/Link PDF file to Obsidian - PDFs live in Obsidian. The {{citationKey}} created/Pinned by BBT would become file name within Obsidian.
Work Flow
Find article on web browser
Use Zotero Connector
Double Check information pane that {{citationKey}} was correct: last name of author_first word of title_year. In BBT this was zotero.clean.
Create PDF on web browser
Download PDF to Downloads File
Link PDF file in zotero
Use Attanger to link and move PDF to Obsidian.
THIS IS NOW WORKING - I was unable to get this far before this morning.
Now that a PDF exists in Obsidian I create a Literature Note which is where I keep the annotations and my notes about the PDF. This is the last step and it is not working.
I use a PlugIn in Obsidian called Citations. I realize perhaps this is part of the break.
This may be the issue:
Literature note title template @{{citekey}}
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u18771329/5vjw163kv206ocnabizh.png
I am going to add a photograph.
The most likely cause is the Zotero 8 + Better BibTeX citation‑key migration: Zotero Integration is still “talking” to Zotero, but the plugin is no longer getting a usable citekey / format back, so the progress bar flashes and nothing is inserted.
To solve it (it worked for me) :
In Zotero:
Confirm Better BibTeX is enabled (Tools → Add-ons → Extensions → Better BibTeX).
Open Zotero Preferences → Advanced → Config Editor and verify extensions.zotero.httpServer.localAPI.enabled is true (Zotero’s local API has to be on for Obsidian to receive data).
In your Zotero library, check that items actually have a Citation Key (new Zotero-native field). If these are blank after the migration dialog, Zotero Integration may have nothing to insert.
If keys are missing (it was my case on the articles I uploaded after the new Zotero update), regenerate them.
How to regenerate them:
Regenerate for specific items:
Select one or more items in your Zotero library (use Ctrl/Cmd+A for all in a collection). Right-click → Better BibTeX → Refresh (or Refresh BibTeX key). This applies your BBT citation key pattern and populates the Citation Key field in the right pane.
Regenerate for entire library:
Go to Zotero → Edit → Preferences → Better BibTeX tab.
Confirm or set your Citation key pattern (default is auth.lower + shorttitle(3,3) + year; edit if needed for your academic style).
Select all items (Ctrl/Cmd+A across libraries/collections).
Right-click → Better BibTeX → Refresh. BBT will generate/pin stable keys based on authors, title, and year, avoiding clashes.