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| preferences:advanced [2024/04/11 06:51] – [Files and Folders] dstillman | preferences:advanced [2025/04/15 01:32] (current) – [Files and Folders] dstillman |
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| This setting allows you to access [[:attaching_files#stored_files_and_linked_files|linked files]] on multiple computers even when they're stored in different locations on each computer. You should set the base directory to the folder on each computer under which you store linked files. For example, if the folder with your linked files is at ''/Users/Sarah/Dropbox/PDFs'' on your laptop and at ''C:\Users\Sarah\Dropbox\PDFs'' on your work computer, set those paths as the base directory on each respective machine. If you add a linked file within the base directory, Zotero stores a relative path to that base directory rather than an absolute path. | This setting allows you to access [[:attaching_files#stored_files_and_linked_files|linked files]] on multiple computers even when they're stored in different locations on each computer. You should set the base directory to the folder on each computer under which you store linked files. For example, if the folder with your linked files is at ''/Users/Sarah/Dropbox/PDFs'' on your laptop and at ''C:\Users\Sarah\Dropbox\PDFs'' on your work computer, set those paths as the base directory on each respective machine. If you add a linked file within the base directory, Zotero stores a relative path to that base directory rather than an absolute path. |
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| Note that this setting does not control where files are stored — only whether linked files within the specified folder are referenced by absolute or relative paths. If you're using the [[http://zotfile.com/|ZotFile plugin]] to help with a linked-file workflow, you should configure it to store linked files within the base directory you've configured. | Note that this setting does not control where files are stored — only whether linked files within the specified folder are referenced by absolute or relative paths. If you're using a plugin to help with a linked-file workflow, you should configure it to store linked files within the base directory you've configured. |
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| Note that linked files are an advanced configuration, and we're not able to help troubleshoot problems with specific setups. We recommend that most people use stored files instead. | Note that linked files are an advanced configuration, and we're not able to help troubleshoot problems with specific setups. We recommend that most people use stored files instead. |
| By default, Zotero stores your [[:zotero_data|data directory]] (which contains your library database, attachment files, and several other files) in your user home folder on your computer. This is the best location for most users, but it is possible to change the location. After changing the data directory location, Zotero will store newly created data in the new location. | By default, Zotero stores your [[:zotero_data|data directory]] (which contains your library database, attachment files, and several other files) in your user home folder on your computer. This is the best location for most users, but it is possible to change the location. After changing the data directory location, Zotero will store newly created data in the new location. |
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| Note, that Zotero will not, however, copy over existing data to the new location. If you want to keep your data, you need to move the files manually. Click the "Show Data Directory" button to open the Zotero folder in your computer's file browser. You will need to move everything in the folder (including, 'zotero.sqlite', 'storage', 'styles', and all other files) to the new location. | Note that Zotero will not, however, copy over existing data to the new location. If you want to keep your data, you need to move the files manually. Click the "Show Data Directory" button to open the Zotero folder in your computer's file browser. You will need to move everything in the folder (including 'zotero.sqlite', 'storage', 'styles', and all other files) to the new location. |
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| == Unsafe Data Directory Locations == | == Unsafe Data Directory Locations == |
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| There are several data directory locations that are potentially unsafe and **likely to lead to database corruption or even data loss**. If you use any of these setups, be sure to [[:zotero_data|back up]] your Zotero data frequently. | There are several data directory locations that are **likely to lead to database corruption or even data loss**. |
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| * **Cloud storage folders**: Storing your Zotero data directory in a cloud storage folder (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, or other similar folder synchronization services) is [[kb:data_directory_in_cloud_storage_folder|extremely unsafe]] and will almost certainly lead to database corruption and potentially data loss. | * **Cloud storage folders**: Storing your Zotero data directory in a cloud storage folder (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, or other similar folder synchronization services) is [[kb:data_directory_in_cloud_storage_folder|extremely unsafe]] and will almost certainly lead to database corruption and potentially data loss. |
| === Database Maintenance === | === Database Maintenance === |
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| * **Check Database Integrity:** This function checks your Zotero database for any data corruption. Database corruption is rare, and in most cases is caused by storing your data directory in an [[#unsafe_data_directory_locations|unsafe location]]. Checking database integrity can take a long time if your database is very large. If your database is corrupted, you can try to use the [[/utils/dbfix/|Database Repair Tool]] to repair the corruption. | * **Check Database Integrity:** This function checks your Zotero database for invalid data and database corruption. Database corruption is rare, and in most cases is caused by storing your data directory in an [[#unsafe_data_directory_locations|unsafe location]]. Checking database integrity can take a long time if your database is very large. If your database is corrupted, you can try to use the [[/utils/dbfix/|Database Repair Tool]] to repair the corruption. |
| * **Reset Translators…:** Reset web and import/export translators to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. | * **Reset Translators…:** Reset web and import/export translators to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. |
| * **Reset Styles…:** Reset citation styles to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. | * **Reset Styles…:** Reset citation styles to the versions bundled with the application or provided as updates from Zotero servers. |
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