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zotero_data [2018/07/16 20:12] dstillmanzotero_data [2019/08/16 08:47] – [Troubleshooting Zotero Data issues] 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. This will reveal the folder on your computer that contains your Zotero database, attached files, and other auxiliary files.+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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 The "Show Data Directory" button will always reveal the data directory currently in use and is the recommended method for finding your data directory. If you're unable to access the Zotero preferences, a search for the file name 'zotero.sqlite' can also help you locate the Zotero data directory. The "Show Data Directory" button will always reveal the data directory currently in use and is the recommended method for finding your data directory. If you're unable to access the Zotero preferences, a search for the file name 'zotero.sqlite' can also help you locate the Zotero data directory.
-===== Library Contents =====+===== Data Directory Contents =====
  
 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). 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).
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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.
  
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 ==== Where did my items go? ==== ==== Where did my items go? ====
  
-If you open Zotero to find your library blank or missing lots of data, don't panic. Zotero is mostly likely simply looking in the wrong location for the data. You need to make sure that Zotero is looking in the right location for your Zotero files and that the right files are in that spot.+If you open Zotero to find your library blank or missing lots of data, don't panic. Data is never removed unless you delete it, so Zotero is most likely looking at a different database from the one you were using previously. You need to make sure that Zotero is looking in the right location for your Zotero files and that the right files are in that spot.
  
-Use the "Show Data Directory" button in the [[preferences/advanced|Advanced]] pane of the Zotero preferences to reveal the current data directoryIf this isn't the directory you were expecting, you can either specify a different data directory from the preferences or, with Zotero closed, rename that directory (e.g., to "Zotero-Old") and move your desired Zotero directory to the specified location. If you're not sure where your most recent Zotero data is located, it's a good idea to look for larger versions of zotero.sqlite or zotero.sqlite.bak stored elsewhere on your hard drive and to look at the dates of folders within the 'storage' directory.+If you have recently updated to Zotero 5 and are missing data, see [[kb/data_missing_after_zotero_5_upgrade|Missing Data After Zotero 5 Upgrade]]. Zotero 5 was released in 2017so this no longer applies to most people.
  
-If you have recently updated to Zotero 5 and are missing data, see [[kb/data_missing_after_zotero_5_upgrade|Missing Data After Zotero 5 Upgrade]].+If you're using a different computer from the one where you created the missing data, and your data is also missing in your online library, your data simply hasn't synced from the computer where you created it. See [[kb:Changes Not Syncing]].
  
-Unless you have a good reason to use a custom data directory location, we recommend using the default location in your home directory.+If you're using the same computer where you originally created the missing data, you'll need to locate your Zotero data on this computer. Use the "Show Data Directory" button in the [[preferences/advanced|Advanced]] pane of the Zotero preferences to reveal the current data directory. Take note of the names, sizes, and dates of the zotero.sqlite* files in this folder. An empty Zotero database will be either approximately 1 MB (~1,000 KB) or 5 MB. 
 + 
 +If you see only 1 MB or 5 MB zotero.sqlite files, look in the 'storage' folder (if one exists) for folders with timestamps corresponding with your previous usage of Zotero. If you see them, this is likely the Zotero data directory you were using previously, but something happened to the Zotero database, so you may need to [[#restoring_your_zotero_library_from_a_backup1|restore a zotero.sqlite file from a backup]]. 
 + 
 +If this isn't the directory you were expecting, or if you don't see a 'storage' directory, you'll need to locate your previous data directory and either specify a different data directory from the preferences or, with Zotero closed, rename the current directory (e.g., to "Zotero-Old") and move your desired Zotero directory to the specified location. If you're not sure where your most recent Zotero data is located, look for larger versions of zotero.sqlite or zotero.sqlite.bak stored elsewhere on your hard drive and look at the dates of the folders within the 'storage' folder.  
 + 
 +Unless you have a good reason to use a custom data directory location, we recommend using the [[#default_locations|default location]] in your home directory.
  
 When specifying a custom data directory location, keep in mind that Zotero doesn't move or copy any data. You still need to copy your data into the specified location. Also, when pointing the data directory location to an existing directory, be sure to specify the parent directory containing zotero.sqlite and 'storage', not the 'storage' directory itself. When specifying a custom data directory location, keep in mind that Zotero doesn't move or copy any data. You still need to copy your data into the specified location. Also, when pointing the data directory location to an existing directory, be sure to specify the parent directory containing zotero.sqlite and 'storage', not the 'storage' directory itself.
  
 Finally, remember to close Zotero before making any changes to Zotero files. Finally, remember to close Zotero before making any changes to Zotero files.
zotero_data.txt · Last modified: 2023/07/13 17:52 by dstillman