How to switch and manage literature data between Zotero and Mendeley?

Switching and managing literature data between Zotero and Mendeley is feasible primarily through exporting and importing standardized Bibliographic (BibTeX or RIS) files and transferring associated PDF attachments. While core metadata transfers reliably, some platform-specific elements like detailed folder structures may not transfer perfectly due to differences in their underlying database architectures. Successful migration hinges on correctly exporting full collections as BibTeX (.bib) files to capture comprehensive metadata. Crucially, users must manually transfer the linked PDF files' actual directory structure along with the .bib file to ensure attachment links are maintained upon import into the target software. Not all metadata fields map exactly between Zotero and Mendeley; certain custom fields, notes, or annotations might be lost or require manual verification and cleanup post-transfer, demanding user diligence. To execute the transfer, follow these steps. First, in the source application (e.g., Zotero), select the desired library collection(s) and export them using the BibTeX format. Second, locate the folder containing the associated PDF files and copy this entire folder alongside the exported .bib file. Third, import the .bib file into the target application (e.g., Mendeley), which should automatically attempt to link the cited references to the PDFs within the copied folder. Finally, carefully review the imported entries for accuracy, correct any broken PDF links manually using the target application's tools, and resolve any duplicate entries created during the import process. Zotero also offers an experimental translator for directly opening Mendeley SQLite backups.