Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- sync [2021/07/22 05:34] – "Zotero File Storage" → "Zotero Storage" dstillman
+++ sync [2024/12/06 01:08] (current) – [Alternative Syncing Solutions] don't recommend symlinking, which can break Zotero dstillman
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ===== Data Syncing =====
-Data syncing merges library items, notes, links, tags, etc.---everything except attachment files---between your local computer and the Zotero servers, allowing you to work with your data from any computer with Zotero installed. It also allows you to view your library online on zotero.org. Data syncing is free and unlimited, and it can be used without file syncing.
+Data syncing merges library items, notes, links, tags, etc. — everything except attachment files — between your local computer and the Zotero servers, allowing you to work with your data from any computer with Zotero installed and to view your library online on zotero.org. Data syncing is free and unlimited, and it can be used without file syncing.
-The first step to syncing your Zotero library is to [[/user/register/|create a Zotero account]] (which is also used for the Zotero Forums). Then, open the Sync pane of the [[preferences|Zotero preferences]] and enter your login information in the Data Syncing section. By default, Zotero will sync your local data with the Zotero servers whenever changes are made. To disable automatic syncing, uncheck the "Sync automatically" checkbox in this section.
+The first step to syncing your Zotero library is to [[/user/register/|create a Zotero account]] (which is also used for the Zotero Forums). Then, open the Sync pane of the [[preferences|Zotero preferences]] and enter your login information in the Data Syncing section.
 {{http://www.zotero.org/static/images/support/quick_start/small/sync.png?nolink&w=160 }}
-In addition to automatic syncing, you can sync manually at any time by clicking the "Sync with zotero.org" button on the right-hand side of the Zotero toolbar.
+By default, Zotero will sync your local data with the Zotero servers whenever changes are made. To disable automatic syncing, uncheck the "Sync automatically" checkbox in this section. You can sync manually at any time by clicking the "Sync with zotero.org" button on the right-hand side of the Zotero toolbar.
-By default, Zotero will merge your local Zotero library with your library on zotero.org — any changes you make in one place will be applied to the other and on all other synced computers. If an item has changed in multiple places in conflicting ways between syncs, you'll receive a conflict resolution dialog asking which version you'd like to keep. In the rare case that you want to completely overwrite your online library with the contents of your local library (such as if you restore from a local backup after accidentally deleting data and then syncing), you can use the [[kb:Sync Reset Options]].
+When Zotero syncs, it automatically applies changes in both directions — any changes you make in one place will be applied to all other synced computers. If an item has changed in multiple places in conflicting ways between syncs, you'll receive a conflict resolution dialog asking which version you'd like to keep. If you find yourself using a new computer, you can simply set up syncing and Zotero will automatically download all data from your online library.
 ===== File Syncing =====
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 Zotero file sync should work with any correctly functioning WebDAV server. Zotero developers cannot provide support for third-party WebDAV servers.
-==== Linked File Attachments ====
-In your personal library, you can also sync Zotero files across computers using [[attaching_files#File_Copies_and_Links|linked files]]. Rather than attaching stored copies of files to Zotero items, you can attach links to files stored in a cloud-sync folder, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. When using linked attachments, you should set up Zotero's [[:preferences/advanced#linked_attachment_base_directory|Linked Attachment Base Directory]] feature so that Zotero can find your files on each computer, even if the path to the cloud-sync folder differs. The [[plugins#attachment_file_management|ZotFile plugin]] can make managing linked attachments easier by automatically moving attachment files to a designated folder as you import them.
-See [[#alternative_syncing_solutions|Alternative Syncing Solutions]] for more details.
-Linked files cannot currently be used in group libraries.
 ===== Syncing In Practice =====
 If Zotero is set to sync automatically, changes will be synced within a few seconds of being made. Otherwise, you can start a manual sync by clicking the sync button on the right-hand side of the Zotero toolbar.
-If you enter the same login information into the Sync preferences on multiple computers, Zotero will sync everything transparently. Your attention should only be needed if the same item or file is edited in two different places before Zotero has a chance to sync them. In this instance, you will be presented with a conflict resolution window, where you can decide which changes to accept.
+If you enter the same login information into the Sync preferences on multiple computers, Zotero will sync everything transparently. Your attention should only be needed if the same item or file is edited in conflicting ways in two different places before Zotero has a chance to sync them. If that happens, you'll be presented with a conflict resolution window, where you can decide which changes to accept.
 If you sync from only one computer, you can still view your online library at zotero.org from any computer. Should something happen to your computer or should you want to start using Zotero on another computer, simply set up your account info on the new computer. Zotero will pull down your entire library from the server.
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 If, for whatever reason, you are unable to use Zotero's syncing features, there are some alternative ways to sync your data, though there are significant risk and limitations depending on the approach that you choose.
-**Storing the Zotero data directory directly in a cloud storage folder is extremely likely to corrupt your Zotero database and should not be done.** (The same is true of most database-backed programs.) The forums contain [[/forum/discussion/13359/|many]] [[/forum/discussion/27900/synching-to-dropbox/|threads]] [[/forum/discussion/6128/dropbox-and-zotero-15-case-conflicts/|about]] [[/forum/discussion/24593/backing-up-a-large-database-without-corrupting-it/|the problems]] that users have faced with Dropbox- or Google Drive–based setups.
+**Storing the Zotero data directory directly in a cloud storage folder is [[kb:data_directory_in_cloud_storage_folder|extremely likely to corrupt your Zotero database]] and should not be done.**
 If you want to avoid syncing any data to Zotero servers:
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   * You can close Zotero, manually copy your entire [[zotero_data|Zotero data directory]] to a synced folder on one computer, and then restore it — again with Zotero closed — on another computer, as if you were performing a [[zotero_data#backing_up_your_zotero_library|backup and restore]] of your data.
-If you want to use Zotero data syncing but use an external service to sync just your Zotero attachment files, you have a couple options:
+If you want to use Zotero data syncing but use an external service to sync just your Zotero attachment files:
-  - The easiest method is to use [[attaching_files#stored_files_and_linked_files|linked files]], rather than stored copies of files, and to store your attachment files in the externally synced folder. The [[plugins#attachment_file_management|ZotFile plugin]] can make this simple by automatically moving attachment files to a designated folder as you import them. You should also set up Zotero's [[:preferences/advanced#linked_attachment_base_directory|Linked Attachment Base Directory]] feature to point to the same folder so that Zotero can find your files on each computer, even if the path to the cloud storage folder differs.
+  * You can use [[attaching_files#stored_files_and_linked_files|linked files]], rather than stored copies of files, with only your attachment files in the externally synced folder.
-  - Alternatively, you can use a symlink to sync only the ''storage'' directory from your Zotero data directory using the external sync service. This will sync your attachment files without touching the main Zotero SQLite database. This is an advanced technique, and if you don't fully understand how to create symlinks and how they interact with your cloud storage service, you should not use it.