Zotero 10 suggestion: advanced search in a separate window

auster · 2026-08-26T12:04:16+00:00

Hi there, it would be cool to advanced search in a separate window as in previous versions of Zotero. Now, if I want to search my entire library, I need to go to 'My library' and wait a minute till the whole library (which is huge) loads. With a separate window this search was faster.

jorgelagos · 2026-08-31T21:05:08+00:00

This has to be a bug, right? There's no way this is the intended behavior!!!

I've been using Zotero for years, and the old Advanced Search behavior--undocked window & search across the whole library by default--worked like a charm. Now every time I want to accomplish that I find my having to go all the way up to the root tree entry, which not only is bothersome but, most importantly, forces me to leave the current library entry I was working on! When dealing with a large library, the above becomes a real pain in the ass.

Please bring back the old Advanced Search behavior! Or at least, make the behavior customizable to the user preference!

octavabasso · 2026-09-01T15:00:30+00:00

I want to second this. While I think the new search is far superior (it really is!), the new route of getting to it is:

* click on the main library, away from a subcollection,
* then click on filter (and maybe delete stuff pre-populated in the search),
* then search,
* and then go back to the subcollection

That's far more work than just clicking "search" from wherever I am.

ajb59 · 2026-09-01T16:34:46+00:00

I think it's fair to say that certain aspects of the new implementation of Advanced Search for Z10 are problematic; particularly, in terms of changing the scope of a search vis-a-vis pre-Z10, the way the results are presented inline, and the consequent effect this has on workflow.

There have been a number of posts recently making points along similar lines to the ones presented above, with probably enough disquiet expressed overall to warrant a pinned response in the forums?

In chronological order by first post (by way of summary):

https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/133278/how-can-i-search-my-entire-library-in-zotero-10 (@z-jie) (with comments by @warguelles and @iagogv

My own contribution (with replies by @dstillman)
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/133302/zotero-10-questions-about-search (@ajb59)

A lengthy and extremely clear discussion of the issues with suggested solutions from @pttianya
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/133407/ux-feedback-on-z10-advanced-search-workflow-disruption-when-organizing-search-results-into-nested-c

mjthoraval · 2026-09-01T20:55:39+00:00

With the Weavero plugin, you can open the library in a new separate window. You can also directly open the advanced search in a new separate library window with Shift+Click on the advanced search funnel icon.
https://github.com/mjthoraval/Weavero

Let me know if that solves the problems.

Opening multiple library windows is also planned to be implemented directly in Zotero:
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/482457/#Comment_482457

dstillman · 2026-09-02T04:03:57+00:00

In the latest Zotero 10 beta, we've added a section to the top of the Add to Collection menu for recently used collections. If you want to use advanced search to find items to add to the current collection, you can open advanced search, click on the library root, find an item, and then use right-click → Add to Collection to quickly add the item to the collection you were just in, which will be at the top of the list. (The collection will also then be in Libraries and Collections in the item pane if you want to quickly get back to the collection.)

An upcoming Zotero 11 beta will include support for opening multiple library windows and tabs, including with advanced search active.

dstillman · 2026-09-09T20:51:28+00:00

Zotero 10.0.2, now available, adds recently used collections to the top of the Add to Collection menu.