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zotero_data [2020/08/05 10:01] – [Locating Missing Zotero Data] dstillman | zotero_data [2020/09/16 01:39] – [Data Directory Contents] dstillman |
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===== Data Directory Contents ===== | ===== Data Directory Contents ===== |
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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. When Zotero starts up, it reads the zotero.sqlite file in the active data directory. |
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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). | 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. (Files that are [[attaching_files|linked]] are not copied into this subdirectory.) |
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| Your data 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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**Warning**: Before you copy, delete, or move any of these files, be sure that Zotero is closed. Failure to do so before moving these files can damage your data. | **Warning**: Before you copy, delete, or move any of these files, be sure that Zotero is closed. Failure to do so before moving these files can damage your data. |
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, which are your Zotero database and automatic database backups. An empty Zotero database will be either approximately 1 MB (~1,000 KB) or 5 MB. | 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, which are your Zotero database and automatic database backups. An empty Zotero database will be either approximately 1 MB (~1,000 KB) or 5 MB. |
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If you see only 1 MB or 5 MB zotero.sqlite files, look in the 'storage' folder (if one exists) for folders with dates 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.sqlite database, so you may need to [[#restoring_your_zotero_library_from_a_backup1|restore a zotero.sqlite file from a backup]]. | If you see only 1 MB or 5 MB zotero.sqlite files, look in the 'storage' folder (if one exists) for folders with dates 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.sqlite database, so you may need to [[#restoring_your_zotero_data_from_a_backup1|restore a zotero.sqlite file from a backup]]. |
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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 computer and look at the dates of the folders within the 'storage' folder. | 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 computer and look at the dates of the folders within the 'storage' folder. |