Batch Export PDFs from Zotero

[abdullahahmed-dev]

Description

Select multiple files with attached PDFs in Zotero, then run this script to automatically export all attached PDFs to your downloads folder . This convenient tool saves you time and effort, allowing you to quickly access and organize your PDF files."

Usage

In the script, first configure the path your downloads folder path (or your folder of choice) in this line.

var downloadsPath = '/Users/user/Downloads';

Then trigger the script and it will create a new folder in your Downloads Folder with all your selected PDF files.

Preview

Event

None

Operation

Script

Data

/**
 * Batch export PDFs from Zotero
 * @author quantumfrost00
 * @usage Configure the path to your foler in var downloadsPath = '/Users/user/Downloads'
 * @link https://github.com/windingwind/zotero-actions-tags/discussions/379
 * @see https://github.com/windingwind/zotero-actions-tags/discussions/
 */

(async function() {
  var zp = Zotero.getActiveZoteroPane();
  var items = zp.getSelectedItems();

  if (!items.length) {
    zp.displayAlert(null, "Please select some items first.");
    return;
  }

  var downloadsPath = '/Users/user/Downloads';
  var lockFile = Zotero.File.pathToFile(downloadsPath);
  lockFile.append('.zotero_export_lock');

  // Check if an export is already in progress
  if (lockFile.exists()) {
    zp.displayAlert(null, "An export is already in progress. Please wait for it to complete.");
    return;
  }

  // Create lock file
  lockFile.create(Components.interfaces.nsIFile.NORMAL_FILE_TYPE, 0o666);

  try {
    var folderName = 'Zotero_Export_' + new Date().toISOString().replace(/[-:]/g, '').split('.')[0];
    var exportDir = Zotero.File.pathToFile(downloadsPath);
    exportDir.append(folderName);

    // If the folder already exists, use it instead of creating a new one
    if (!exportDir.exists()) {
      exportDir.create(Components.interfaces.nsIFile.DIRECTORY_TYPE, 0o755);
    }

    var exportCount = 0;

    for (let item of items) {
      let attachments = item.getAttachments(false);
      for (let attID of attachments) {
        let att = Zotero.Items.get(attID);
        if (att.attachmentContentType === 'application/pdf') {
          let file = att.getFile();
          if (file && file.exists()) {
            // Check if file already exists in export directory
            let destFile = exportDir.clone();
            destFile.append(file.leafName);
            if (!destFile.exists()) {
              file.copyTo(exportDir, file.leafName);
              exportCount++;
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }

    if (exportCount > 0) {
      zp.displayAlert(null, `Exported ${exportCount} PDFs to ${exportDir.path}`);
    } else {
      zp.displayAlert(null, "No new PDFs found to export.");
    }
  } finally {
    // Always remove the lock file, even if an error occurs
    if (lockFile.exists()) {
      lockFile.remove(false);
    }
  }
})();

Anything else

No response

[windingwind]

https://github.com/windingwind/zotero-actions-tags/blob/master/README.md#custom-script

Please always use the items instead of ZoteroPane.getSelectedItems(). The action can be triggered from entrances outside the library, where the items are not from ZoteroPane.

[abdullahahmed-dev]

Sorry but I am new to this, I couldn't get it to work with the change you suggested

[mvmalyi]

Hi @quantumfrost00 ! I saw you had a batch tag operation command in there, too. Could you please share your script for that one? I've managed to set up a command for batch adding a pre-difined tag within the script, but I couldn't find a way to select the tag when calling the command, or for removing the tags set on items. I'm curious what your solution is!

[abdullahahmed-dev]

Hi @mvmalyi it is actually an excellent community script by @thalliant-ai. You can find it here. When triggered it comes up with multiple options for tags and works great.

[mvmalyi]

Thanks a lot for sharing! Your script for PDF export is also super helpful.

[abdullahahmed-dev]

Thankyou

[ihateforking]

Is anyone looking for a complete OpenAI Agent based solution?! I’ve fully tested and set up a working end-to-end implementation based on it.

1. Install the Actions & Tags Plugin

Download the latest .xpi from the releases page.
In Zotero, go to Tools → Add-ons, click the gear icon → Install Add-on From File…
Select the .xpi you downloaded and restart Zotero.

2. Prepare the Export Script

Replace /path/to/your/Downloads with your own folder path.

Windows: C:\Users\YourName\Downloads
macOS: /Users/YourName/Downloads
Linux: /home/yourname/Downloads

/**
 * Batch export PDFs from Zotero (custom Actions & Tags script)
 * Set downloadsPath to the folder where you want the exported PDFs.
 */
(async function() {
  const Zotero = require('Zotero');
  const zp = Zotero.getActiveZoteroPane();

  // If the script is triggered for a single item (variable 'item' is set), skip to avoid duplicate runs.
  if (typeof item !== 'undefined' && item !== null) {
    return;
  }

  // Use the 'items' array supplied by the plugin.
  if (!items || items.length === 0) {
    zp.displayAlert(null, "Please select some items first.");
    return;
  }

  // Adjust this path to your system
  const downloadsPath = '/path/to/your/Downloads';

  const exportBase = Zotero.File.pathToFile(downloadsPath);
  const lockFile = exportBase.clone();
  lockFile.append('.zotero_export_lock');

  // Avoid running multiple exports at once
  if (lockFile.exists()) {
    zp.displayAlert(null, "An export is already in progress. Please wait for it to complete.");
    return;
  }

  // Create lock file
  lockFile.create(Components.interfaces.nsIFile.NORMAL_FILE_TYPE, 0o666);

  try {
    const folderName = 'Zotero_Export_' + new Date().toISOString().replace(/[-:]/g, '').split('.')[0];
    const exportDir = exportBase.clone();
    exportDir.append(folderName);
    if (!exportDir.exists()) {
      exportDir.create(Components.interfaces.nsIFile.DIRECTORY_TYPE, 0o755);
    }

    let exportCount = 0;

    for (const it of items) {
      const attachments = it.getAttachments(false);
      for (const attID of attachments) {
        const att = Zotero.Items.get(attID);
        if (att.attachmentContentType === 'application/pdf') {
          const file = att.getFile();
          if (file && file.exists()) {
            const destFile = exportDir.clone();
            destFile.append(file.leafName);
            if (!destFile.exists()) {
              file.copyTo(exportDir, file.leafName);
              exportCount++;
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }

    if (exportCount > 0) {
      zp.displayAlert(null, `Exported ${exportCount} PDFs to ${exportDir.path}`);
    } else {
      zp.displayAlert(null, "No new PDFs found to export.");
    }
  } finally {
    // Remove the lock file so another export can run
    if (lockFile.exists()) {
      lockFile.remove(false);
    }
  }
})();

3. Add the Script as a Custom Actio

1. Open Zotero settings→ Actions & Tags tab.
2. Click the “+” button to add a new action.
3. Set Operation to Script.
4. Paste the script above into the Data field.
5. Enter a menu label (e.g., Batch Export PDFs).
6. (Optional) Assign a keyboard shortcut.
7. Click Save.

4. Run the Script

In your Zotero library, select the items you want to export PDFs from.
Right-click and choose Batch Export PDFs from the context menu (or use your shortcut).
PDFs will be copied into a new, time-stamped folder inside your chosen directory.

Notes

Each export run creates a new folder named like Zotero_Export_20250804T135910.
If nothing is exported, make sure your selected items have PDF attachments.
If you get an error, double-check the downloadsPath and that the folder exists.
Script uses a lock file (.zotero_export_lock) to avoid duplicate runs.

You’re ready!
You can now batch-export PDFs from your Zotero library using the Actions & Tags plugin.