Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
attaching_files [2020/02/29 16:31] – [Stored Files and Linked Files] dstillman | attaching_files [2021/05/15 01:22] – [Stored Files and Linked Files] dstillman | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
===== Child versus Standalone Attachment Files ===== | ===== Child versus Standalone Attachment Files ===== | ||
- | Files can be added either as // | + | Files can be added either as // |
- | + | ||
- | If you have standalone files in your library, you make them into child items by dragging them onto a regular Zotero item, using the [[retrieve_PDF_metadata|Retrieve PDF Metadata]] function, or right-clicking on the standalone attachment and choosing " | + | |
+ | If you save a PDF directly to your library, Zotero will attempt to retrieve metadata for it and create a parent item automatically. If the item can't be recognized, you'll be left with a standalone attachment. You can either add a parent item another way (e.g., via the web browser or Add Item by Identifier) and drag the standalone attachment onto it or, if all else fails, right-click on the standalone attachment, choose " | ||
===== Stored Files and Linked Files ===== | ===== Stored Files and Linked Files ===== | ||
Files can be added to your Zotero library as either stored files or linked files. | Files can be added to your Zotero library as either stored files or linked files. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Stored Files ==== | ||
Stored files, which are the default, are stored within the [[zotero_data|Zotero data directory]], | Stored files, which are the default, are stored within the [[zotero_data|Zotero data directory]], | ||
+ | |||
+ | When using Zotero file syncing, you can choose to download stored files only as needed, avoiding the need to download all files to every device. An upcoming version of Zotero will allow you to choose how long to keep synced files on a given computer in order to limit disk space usage, temporarily redownloading files when you need them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | To use stored files outside of Zotero, you can use Zotero' | ||
+ | |||
+ | We generally recommend using stored files for the most seamless experience. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Linked Files ==== | ||
With linked files, Zotero only stores a link to the location of the original file on your computer. Linked files are not synced, nor are they deleted if the attachment item is deleted in Zotero. They also can't be used within a group library, as there' | With linked files, Zotero only stores a link to the location of the original file on your computer. Linked files are not synced, nor are they deleted if the attachment item is deleted in Zotero. They also can't be used within a group library, as there' | ||
- | If you sync linked files using an external tool (Dropbox, etc.) for use on multiple computers, it is a good idea to set the [[preferences/ | + | If you sync linked files using an external tool (Dropbox, etc.) for use on multiple computers, it is a good idea to set the [[preferences/ |
- | If you wish to convert linked files to stored files in order to allow Zotero to manage them, you can do so from the File → Manage Attachments menu. | + | If you wish to convert linked files to stored files in order to allow Zotero to manage them, you can do so from the Tools → Manage Attachments menu. |
===== Adding Files ===== | ===== Adding Files ===== | ||
Line 36: | Line 45: | ||
== Adding linked files == | == Adding linked files == | ||
- | * By default, files dragged into Zotero are added as **copies** of the original files. To instead add **links** to the original files, hold down '' | + | * By default, files dragged into Zotero are added as **copies** of the original files. To instead add **links** to the original files, hold down '' |