ZotFile allowed me to add a PDF from a directory, how can I do it now?

rutyggi
ZotFile had a feature that, when I right-click on an element, there was an option to add to that element the most recent file created in a given folder.

This was useful when the browser connector failed to download the PDF of an article.

How can I do that in modern Zotero?

ZotMoov has a feature like that, but it _links_ the file instead of copying the file in Zotero data directory.

Typically I download the PDF in the "Downloads" folder of my user profile. I want to add the PDF to an element and the delete the file from the folder, making the fewer amount of steps as possible

  • tim820
    I didn't recall Zotfile being able to add the latest-dated PDF in a designated folder as a 'stored' file (under Zotero\storage). But the Zotfile docs (below) do seem to suggest that it could. Perhaps like most people, I only used the option to create a linked file that way (and I use Zotmoov to do the same).
    https://zotfile.com/

    Of course you can drag the file from your folder into Zotero to get it added as a stored file, and a parent item created. But I don't know any single-click way from within Zotero to do it (Zotero devs have never been keen on the idea of a monitored 'watch' folder ... not exactly the same thing, but along similar lines).
  • rutyggi
    So no way to do that? How you all do when the browser connector fails to download the PDF? What is the suggested workflow in that case?
  • tim820
    Well I use linked attachment files, so Zotmoov's Attach New File works fine for me. I use it often. Not only for PDFs acquired other than via the web connector ... but also since I now save web snapshots via the Singlefile browser extension (which allows better control over which HTML pages I want to save and which I don't). I also use Attach New File for downloaded youtube MP4 files.

    I am guessing that stored file users either drag the PDF from their download folder into Zotero, or right-click Add Attachment->File ... neither of which is as streamlined as Zotmoov's (linked file) method.
  • RamonMi
    Previously, I had a script that used a dialog to pick files to attach, triggered by a shortcut. I have now updated it to introduce a new auto-attach feature for files in specified folders, with the option to delete the file after attachment.

    You can try this script via Actions and Tags for Zotero plugin.

    Note: Don't forget to configure the options in the "custom options" area before using it.
  • rutyggi
    @RamonMi Thank you very much! It works perfectly and is exactly what I needed!
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