Preview for Zotero

January 25, 2024 · View on GitHub

This repository/plugin is archived and no longer maintained, since from Zotero 7.0.0-beta.55, attachment preview is supported natively.

Preview for Zotero

Using Zotero Plugin Template

teaser

Preview attachments in the library view.

Fast & easy. Do not require any third-party softwares.

🧩 Outline

👋 Install

😎 Quick start

🔧 Development

🔎 My Zotero Plugins

👋 Install

For Zotero 6, install the latest stable version; For Zotero 7, install the latest prerelease version

  • Download the latest release (.xpi file) from the Releases Page Note If you're using Firefox as your browser, right-click the .xpi and select "Save As.."
  • In Zotero click Tools in the top menu bar and then click Addons
  • Go to the Extensions page and then click the gear icon in the top right.
  • Select Install Add-on from file.
  • Browse to where you downloaded the .xpi file and select it.
  • Finish!

😎 Quick start

Preview can be found in the right side panel of Zotero's main window. You can preview items in either the top/bottom of the info pane or the preview pane. See Settings to customize your preview position.

Shortcuts

To show/hide the preview in info pane, use shortcut P or drag/click the toggel bar.

To zoom in or zoom out, hold ctrl/cmd and scroll, or ctrl/cmd and +/-;

To reset zoom, use ctrl/cmd + 0.

Settings

Find settings here: Menubar -> Edit -> Preferences -> Preview

SettingDetailsDefault Value
Enable PreviewEnable to allow the preview behavior.true
Preview in Info TabEnable to show the preview in a split view under 'info' tab.true
Preview PositionPreview position in the Info Tabbottom
Preview in 'Preview' TabEnable show the preview in a new tab of right sidebar.true
Show Toolbar in Info Tab/Preview TabEnable show the toolbar there.true
Show AnnotationsEnable to show annotations of the PDF files. May slow down the preview speed.false
Show Hovered Page StyleEnable extra style of the hovered page: box shadow and hand cursor.true
Double-click Preview Page to Open/Jump PDFEnable double-click to open/jump to the selected page of PDF.true
Dark ModeEnable to preview PDF files in dark mode. This is a naive dark mode and images color may not be displayed correctly.false
Preview First N PagesSee below10
Preview Tab NameSet the tab label.preview

Advanced Usage of Preview Page Index

A python-style slice command is supported.

Syntax: Click to expand

command1,command2,...
Supported Commands:

  • Number
    Number from 1 to last page

    Example:
    1
    preview page 1

    Example:
    10
    preview page 10

  • Slice
    startIndex:stopIndex.
    The startIndex page is included while the stopIndex page is excluded.

    startIndex or stopIndex may be a negative number, which means it counts from the end of the file instead of the beginning.

    The startIndex or stopIndex may be missing to indicate that starts from the first page or ends at the last page.

    Example:
    1:11
    preview page 1-10

    Example:
    :11
    preview page first page(1)-10

    Example:
    10:
    preview page 10-last page

    Example:
    -3:
    preview last 3 pages

    Example:
    :-3
    preview page first page(1)-last 3rd page(excluded)

    Example:
    :
    preview every page

🔧 Development

This plugin is built based on the Zotero Plugin Template. See the setup and debug details there.

To startup, run

git clone https://github.com/windingwind/zotero-better-notes.git
cd zotero-better-notes
npm install
npm run build

The plugin is built to ./builds/*.xpi.

🔔 Disclaimer

Use this code under AGPL. No warranties are provided. Keep the laws of your locality in mind!

🔎 My Zotero Plugins