====== Duplicate Detection ======

As you build your Zotero library, you might introduce a few duplicated items. E.g. you could have saved the same item twice from a webpage, or imported items already in your library. Fortunately, Zotero can help you identify possible duplicates and allow you to merge them.

===== Finding Duplicates =====

Clicking on the "Duplicate Items" collection in your library or right-clicking the library in the left column and selecting "Show Duplicates" will show the items Zotero thinks are duplicates in the center column.

{{ :duplicate-detection.png?nolink&706 |}}

Zotero currently uses the title, DOI, and ISBN fields to determine duplicates. The algorithm will be improved in the future to incorporate other fields.
===== Merging Duplicates =====

In the "Duplicate Items" collection, select an item in the center column. Zotero will automatically co-select the other items that it thinks are duplicates. Click the "Merge n Items" button in the right column to merge the items.

You can also select a group of two or more items //of the same item type// anywhere in your Zotero library, right-click, and select "Merge Items..." from the context menu.

Merges are automatically recognized by the [[word_processor_integration|word processor plugins]] and don't affect your automatically generated citations and bibliographies.