Attaching PDFs to Existing Zotero Entries

Whenever possible, Zotero will auto-attach any full text PDFs when you use the browser plugin to save articles. However, it may not get all of them. (This is most likely to happen when you bulk import items to Zotero, either using the browser plugin from a page of search results or via a file exported from a database.)  Here's how you can attach the missing full text to existing Zotero entries. 

Select any articles that are missing full texts in the center column of your Zotero program. Right-click (Windows) or double-tap (Mac) over the selected article(s) to bring up the menu. Choose "Find Full Text." 

The Zotero program, with several articles selected and the "Find Full Text" option highlighted.

 

Zotero will try to find and attach the relevant PDFs. For best results accessing our U-M subscription library resources, do this while you're connected to the internet on campus or using a U-M VPN. 

The Zotero program, showing the 'Find Full Text' tool at work.

 

Zotero will be able to find a good many articles in this way, but it may not be able to find them all. (In our example here, the 'Find Full Text' tool attached 7 of 10 articles.) 

The Zotero program, displaying many article with PDFs attached.

 

Just because the 'Find Full Text' tool can't identify a PDF doesn't mean that we don't subscribe to it in our U-M resources. Check by opening up the DOI link for each article that's still missing a PDF. That link will take you to a webpage where you should be prompted to download the full text PDF. Again, you'll have the best results if you're connected to the internet on campus or using a U-M VPN. (If you're at home, you can use the U-M library bookmarklet tool Links to an external site. or the Lean Library Access browser extension Links to an external site. instead.) 

The Zotero program, displaying an article's DOI link in the right-hand column.

 

Once you've downloaded the PDF to your computer, you can drag and drop it onto its relevant entry in your Zotero program. 

A split screen, showing a PDF being dragged over from a file manager to the Zotero program.

 

If you prefer not to drag and drop, you can right-click (Windows) or double-tap (Mac) over the specific item in the center column of your Zotero program, and choose "Add Attachment > File." 

The Zotero program, with one item selected and the option 'Add Attachment > File' showing from the center column menu.

 

From there, you'll be prompted to choose the file to attach. 

Remember that you should never have to pay for access to any research while associated with U-M. If we don't subscribe to the resource you want, you can place an interlibrary loan request Links to an external site..