Q. How do I add PDFs that I have saved on my computer to Zotero?

You may have a collection of PDFs stored locally on your computer. If you want to add these PDFs to Zotero there are three ways to do it:
 

1. Drag and drop PDFs into Zotero Standalone.

• Zotero scans the PDFs for information and then matches the information to a source online.

  • Zotero searches through Crossref (a database) and Google Scholar.

• When Zotero matches information, it changes your PDF into a full citation and renames your PDF.

2. Store a copy of a file from within Zotero Standalone 

• Click on the green plus sign in Zotero's center column

• Select 'Store Copy of File.' 

  • You will be prompted to choose which file. 

  • You can choose one file at a time or select multiple files by using CTRL-click.

• Once you have selected your files and clicked 'Open,' Zotero will begin adding your PDFs.

3. Add attachments

• Choose a citation that you want to add a PDF to. 

• Right-click and select 'Add Attachment' then 'Attach Stored Copy of File...'

  • There are two other choices but this one is recommended because it’s the safest

• Choose your file (PDF) and click ‘Open’

If you’ve added already PDFs to your library and they don't have citation information, see our FAQ on adding citation information to PDFs for instructions.