You can import files that contain bibliographic information! These files end in .bib, .ris, or .rdf. Plus, if you have a .txt file that is formatted like a bibliographic file, you can import that, as well.
To import files into Zotero Standalone:
-
Go to file (top, left corner)
-
Select import
-
Zotero will ask ‘Where do you want to import from?’ There are two choices.
-
A file (BibTeX, RIS, Zotero RDF, etc.)
-
Mendeley Reference Manager (online import)
-
Choose ‘A file…’ and click ‘Next’
-
Locate your file, select it, and click ‘Open’
-
Zotero will then offer some options:
-
The first is a checkbox to ‘Place imported collection and items into a new collection’
-
If you want to keep track of the files you have imported, keep this box checked. Otherwise Zotero will add the items to ‘My Library’ without organizing them
-
-
Next there is an option about ‘File Handling’
-
Copy files to the Zotero storage folder
-
Link to files in original location
-
-
Choose ‘Copy files to the Zotero storage folder’ click ‘Next.’
-
This is the best choice so that you don’t lose access to original files later.
-
-
An ‘Import Complete’ window pops up when the items have been imported
-
Click ‘Finish’ and you will see a folder under ‘My Library’ with the same name as your imported file
