Keeping fields from non master versions

[FCalderoni]

I have reported this initially in Zotero forum. They suggested to report here

Zotfile does not allow to combine the fields from different duplicates of the same entries. E.g., taking names from duplicate A and title from duplicate B.
Currently, my Zotfile asks me to 1) select the item to use as the master item and also ask 2) select fields to keep from other versions of the item. However I cannot select any specific field and if I try it keeps only the fields from the master.

Is it a bug? Can you replicate it? Any suggestions/workaround?

[ChenglongMa]

Hi @FCalderoni,

Thanks for your feedback. I'm not sure if the native Zotero Duplicate merge function could solve your problem:

The example above shows you can choose which URL to keep when manually merging duplicate items.

Zoplicate will use the Master item info and complete the missing fields with non-master items' information.

However, this function is only available in Zotero 7. It seems that ZotFile cannot run in Zotero 7. May I know what version of Zotero you are using?

Thanks!
Best regards,
Chenglong

[FCalderoni]

Thanks @ChenglongMa

Thanks for your feedback. I'm not sure if the native Zotero Duplicate merge function could solve your problem:

Yes the native Zotero function works perfectly in this sense, but I also liked many additional functions of Zoplicate, namely the possibility to tell Zotero that two entries are NOT duplicate.

Zoplicate will use the Master item info and complete the missing fields with non-master items' information.

Did not know this, so this means that also unwanted information/filelds (e.g. urls) will be merged with the master.

However, this function is only available in Zotero 7. It seems that ZotFile cannot run in Zotero 7. May I know what version of Zotero you are using?

I am using 7.0.13 (64-bit)

[ChenglongMa]

Hi @FCalderoni,

Yes the native Zotero function works perfectly in this sense, but I also liked many additional functions of Zoplicate, namely the possibility to tell Zotero that two entries are NOT duplicate.

Zoplicate has already implemented this function. Please check README#Non-Duplicates section for more details.

Did not know this, so this means that also unwanted information/filelds (e.g. urls) will be merged with the master.

Unfortunately, yes. However, I'm implementing a new version that can allow users to manually select desired information/fields. Since I'm currently busy with research, this feature will have to wait a while to complete. 😓

Thanks!
Best,
Chenglong

[nkh0472]

I'm implementing a new version that can allow users to manually select desired information/fields.

This is so super useful when importing RIS files from Web of Science.
I have a simple workflow for batch filling or correcting information. During this workflow, it should correct many broken info, such as bad format Abstracts auto-fetched by Zotero itself:

1. Export whole database in CSV format.
2. Extract DOI column, deduplicate and remove blanks.
3. Join them in a form like DO=(10.xxxx/1234) OR DO=(10.xxxx/2345) OR DO=....
4. Use Advanced Search in Web of Science to search the above string.
5. Export all results from Web of Science to RIS files.
6. Import the files to Zotero.
7. Merge duplicates.

However, I can't just select to keep the latest items and discard old info, because I have some useful things saved in the Extra field. And I can't select to keep the earliest items either, because it just means nothing after I do all this work.
Meanwhile, some fields in Zotero I can't even select which ones to keep, like the Abstract field, as they are not showing in the Merge window.

I look forward to seeing this feature released as soon as possible.

[nkh0472]

I'm implementing a new version that can allow users to manually select desired information/fields.

This is so super useful when importing RIS files from Web of Science. I have a simple workflow for batch filling or correcting information. During this workflow, it should correct many broken info, such as bad format Abstracts auto-fetched by Zotero itself:

Also, I think merge (keep all) Keywords could be useful

[ChenglongMa]

I'm implementing a new version that can allow users to manually select desired information/fields.

This is so super useful when importing RIS files from Web of Science. I have a simple workflow for batch filling or correcting information. During this workflow, it should correct many broken info, such as bad format Abstracts auto-fetched by Zotero itself:

1. Export whole database in CSV format.
2. Extract DOI column, deduplicate and remove blanks.
3. Join them in a form like DO=(10.xxxx/1234) OR DO=(10.xxxx/2345) OR DO=....
4. Use Advanced Search in Web of Science to search the above string.
5. Export all results from Web of Science to RIS files.
6. Import the files to Zotero.
7. Merge duplicates.

However, I can't just select to keep the latest items and discard old info, because I have some useful things saved in the Extra field. And I can't select to keep the earliest items either, because it just means nothing after I do all this work. Meanwhile, some fields in Zotero I can't even select which ones to keep, like the Abstract field, as they are not showing in the Merge window.

I look forward to seeing this feature released as soon as possible.

Thank you so much for the creative idea 💡! I needed to figure out a way to automate these steps and evaluate their feasibility.

I will try it ASAP 🙏

Thanks!
Best,
Chenglong