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Zotero

Attaching Files (PDFs, your own docs)

It's easy to attach files to items in your Zotero library (e.g,.  PDFs, Word doc with your own notes). 

Drag & Drop

Just drag the file into your Zotero pane.  Dropping a file onto a collection, or in between library items, will copy it into your library as a standalone item.  Dropping it onto an existing item will attach it to that item.  This is the easiest way to attach a copy of an article to its entry in your library.

Screenshot of Zotero Standalone Library and a File Explorer window with a PDF file highlighted and an arrow demonstrating dragging the PDF into the central column of the Zotero Standalone Library and attaching it to the highlighted item

"Add Attachment" Option

Each item has an Attachments tab in the right column.  Some attachments are automatically added (e.g., PDF of journal article, Snapshot image of the webpage). You can also manually attach your own files (e.g., Word document with notes, image file).

Add Attachment to Existing Library Item

To add an attachment to an item that is already in your Library, right click the item and select the Add Attachment command. This will open a drop down with options for adding a file. 

Screenshot of an item list in the desktop Zotero window. The document highlighted in blue has the right-click options menu open, with the Add Attachment command highlighted, opening a sub-menu of attachment options.

 

Add Attachment using the Zotero toolbar (Paperclip button) 

Select the item you want to add an attachment to (will highlight the item in blue). Then, click on the paperclip 'Add Attachment' button in the toolbar to select your attachment file. 

Screenshot of an item list in the desktop Zotero window. The paperclip icon in the toolbar is selected, with a drop-down menu of options to attach files open below the icon.