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zotero_data [2018/06/15 15:31] – [Locating Your Zotero Data] dstillmanzotero_data [2019/01/14 16:37] – [Restoring Your Zotero Library from a Backup] dstillman
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 ===== Locating Your Zotero Data ===== ===== Locating Your Zotero Data =====
  
-The easiest and most reliable way to find your Zotero data is by clicking the "Show Data Directory" button in the [[preferences/advanced|Advanced]] tab of your Zotero [[preferences|Preferences]] window.+The easiest and most reliable way to find your Zotero data is by clicking the "Show Data Directory" button in the [[preferences/advanced|Advanced]] tab of your Zotero [[preferences|Preferences]] window. This will reveal the folder on your computer that contains your Zotero database and attachment files.
  
 ==== Default Locations ==== ==== Default Locations ====
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 ===== Library Contents ===== ===== Library Contents =====
  
-The most important file in the 'zotero' directory is the zotero.sqlite file, which contains the majority of your data: item metadata, notes, tags, etc. The directory also contains a 'storage' subdirectory, containing all of your file attachments, such as PDFs, web snapshots, audio files, or any other files you have imported (note that files that are [[attaching_files|linked]] are not copied into this subdirectory).+The most important file in the data directory is the zotero.sqlite file, which contains the majority of your data: item metadata, notes, tags, etc. The directory also contains a 'storage' subdirectory, containing all of your file attachments, such as PDFs, web snapshots, audio files, or any other files you have imported (note that files that are [[attaching_files|linked]] are not copied into this subdirectory).
  
 Your 'zotero' directory will likely contain several other files. These can include zotero.sqlite.bak (an automatic backup of zotero.sqlite, which is updated when you quit Zotero and the existing zotero.sqlite.bak file hasn't been updated in the last 12 hours) and zotero.sqlite.[number].bak files (automatic backups of zotero.sqlite that are created during certain Zotero updates). Your 'zotero' directory will likely contain several other files. These can include zotero.sqlite.bak (an automatic backup of zotero.sqlite, which is updated when you quit Zotero and the existing zotero.sqlite.bak file hasn't been updated in the last 12 hours) and zotero.sqlite.[number].bak files (automatic backups of zotero.sqlite that are created during certain Zotero updates).
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 If you were not using Zotero syncing (or were but don't want to perform a full sync) and have a backup of your Zotero data directory, you can restore your library by replacing your active data directory with your backed-up data directory. If you were not using Zotero syncing (or were but don't want to perform a full sync) and have a backup of your Zotero data directory, you can restore your library by replacing your active data directory with your backed-up data directory.
  
-Open the Advanced pane of the Zotero preferences and make a note of the specified path under Data Directory Location. (By default, this will be "Zotero" within your home directory.) Click "Show Data Directory", which should reveal your active data directory containing zotero.sqlite and possibly a 'storage' subdirectory. Close Zotero, move one level up in the filesystem (Cmd-up-arrow on macOS, Alt-up-arrow on Windows), and rename the directory to "Zotero-Old". Next, copy the data directory from your backup to the original location.+Open the Advanced pane of the Zotero preferences and make a note of the specified path under Data Directory Location. (By default, this will be "Zotero" within your home directory.) Click "Show Data Directory", which should reveal your active data directory containing zotero.sqlite and possibly a 'storage' subdirectory. Close Zotero, move one level up in the filesystem (Cmd-up-arrow on macOS, Alt-up-arrow on Windows), and rename the directory to "Zotero-Old". Next, copy the data directory from your backup to the original location (e.g., "Zotero").
  
 When you reopen Zotero, you should see your restored Zotero data. When you reopen Zotero, you should see your restored Zotero data.
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   - Once you see your restored data, were you to sync again, the more recent data in the online library would replace the data you just restored.   - Once you see your restored data, were you to sync again, the more recent data in the online library would replace the data you just restored.
     - If you're trying to restore a small number of deleted items or notes, you can simply duplicate the items — by right-clicking and choosing "Duplicate Item(s)" — so that the new copies remain even after syncing.     - If you're trying to restore a small number of deleted items or notes, you can simply duplicate the items — by right-clicking and choosing "Duplicate Item(s)" — so that the new copies remain even after syncing.
 +    - If you're trying to restore deleted collections, you can create duplicate collections and drag items from the old collections to the new ones. When you sync, the old collections will be deleted but the new ones will remain.
     - If many items were affected or collections were deleted, you can use [[kb:sync_reset_options#restore_to_online_library|Restore to Online Library]] to force Zotero to upload the local version of the library, overwriting previously synced changes.     - If many items were affected or collections were deleted, you can use [[kb:sync_reset_options#restore_to_online_library|Restore to Online Library]] to force Zotero to upload the local version of the library, overwriting previously synced changes.
  
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   - Were you to sync again now, the more recent data in the online library would replace the data you just restored.   - Were you to sync again now, the more recent data in the online library would replace the data you just restored.
     - If you're trying to restore a small number of deleted items or notes, you can simply duplicate the items — by right-clicking and choosing "Duplicate Item(s)" — so that the new copies remain even after syncing.     - If you're trying to restore a small number of deleted items or notes, you can simply duplicate the items — by right-clicking and choosing "Duplicate Item(s)" — so that the new copies remain even after syncing.
 +    - If you're trying to restore deleted collections, you can create duplicate collections and drag items from the old collections to the new ones. When you sync, the old collections will be deleted but the new ones will remain.
     - If many items were affected or collections were deleted, you can use [[kb:sync_reset_options#restore_to_online_library|Restore to Online Library]] to force Zotero to upload the local version of the library, overwriting previously synced changes.     - If many items were affected or collections were deleted, you can use [[kb:sync_reset_options#restore_to_online_library|Restore to Online Library]] to force Zotero to upload the local version of the library, overwriting previously synced changes.
  
zotero_data.txt · Last modified: 2023/07/13 17:52 by dstillman