Switching to Zotero (for Zotero 6)

This is how I configured the storage location in Zotero 6. In Zotero Preferences, you can specify where linked attachments (PDFs) are stored. Since my workplace uses OneDrive, I save PDFs under a OneDrive folder. OneDrive also keeps a local folder on my laptop for offline use, so I point Zotero to that folder. Update the red parts below.

Preference/Advanced/Files and Folders
    Linked Attachment Base Directory
        Base Directory: (Mac)
        /Users/***/Library/CloudStorage/OneDrive-***/Zotero
        Base Directory: (Windows)
        C:\Users/***\OneDrive-***\Zotero
    Data Directory Location
        Default (/users/zotero)

On Windows, you can configure the same path in Tools/ZotFile Preferences as well.

Previously, I used a folder under Documents and kept it synchronized with my work computer. In that case, the setting looks like this:

Preference/Advanced/Files and Folders
    Linked Attachment Base Directory
        Base Directory:
        /users/***/documents/zotero
    Data Directory Location
        Default (/users/zotero)

With the ZotFile plugin, Zotero can rename PDFs based on item metadata and move them into a specified folder. It can also create subfolders (e.g., by journal name or publication year), which is handy.

Download the plugin from ZotFile (ZotFile.xxx.xpi), then install it in Zotero as follows:

Tools/Add-ons,
  From the settings icon (top right), select "Install add-on from file"
  Choose the downloaded file.

My ZotFile settings are below. I create subfolders by journal name inside the Zotero folder. I name PDFs using the first author, publication year, and title.

There are many other options you can customize. ZotFile also has its own setting for the target folder, but in my case it followed the folder I set in Zotero Preferences.

Tools/ZotFile Preferences
  General Setting/Custom Location:
      /users/user/documents/zotero
  Use subfolder defined:
      /%w

  Renaming Rules/Renaming Format/
    Format for all item types:
        {%F_}{%y_}{%t}

%w: Journal name   %F: Author family name + given initial
%y: Publication year   %t: Title

To rename an attached PDF manually:

Select an item in Zotero,
  Right click / Manage Attachments / Rename Attachments

Back to the Zotero page .

Last updated: January 1, 2025