Zotero Plugin

Help
3

Hello!

The most likely cause is the Zotero 8 + Better BibTeX citation‑key migration: Zotero Integration is still “talking” to Zotero, but the plugin is no longer getting a usable citekey / format back, so the progress bar flashes and nothing is inserted.

To solve it (it worked for me) :

In Zotero:

  • Confirm Better BibTeX is enabled (Tools → Add-ons → Extensions → Better BibTeX).

  • Open Zotero Preferences → Advanced → Config Editor and verify extensions.zotero.httpServer.localAPI.enabled is true (Zotero’s local API has to be on for Obsidian to receive data).​

  • In your Zotero library, check that items actually have a Citation Key (new Zotero-native field). If these are blank after the migration dialog, Zotero Integration may have nothing to insert.

    • If keys are missing (it was my case on the articles I uploaded after the new Zotero update), regenerate them.

How to regenerate them:

Regenerate for specific items:

  • Select one or more items in your Zotero library (use Ctrl/Cmd+A for all in a collection). Right-click → Better BibTeX → Refresh (or Refresh BibTeX key). This applies your BBT citation key pattern and populates the Citation Key field in the right pane.

Regenerate for entire library:

  • Go to Zotero → Edit → Preferences → Better BibTeX tab.

  • Confirm or set your Citation key pattern (default is auth.lower + shorttitle(3,3) + year; edit if needed for your academic style).

  • Select all items (Ctrl/Cmd+A across libraries/collections).

  • Right-click → Better BibTeX → Refresh. BBT will generate/pin stable keys based on authors, title, and year, avoiding clashes.

I hope this works for you :slight_smile: