add button to force bibtex sync
I like the feature to automatically generate bibtex files from collections. However, it isn't clear to me when these files are generated. I usually use collections per paper I'm writing, and then reference the generated bibtex file in the Latex I write.
As I write, I often add items from my library to the collection as I realize I need new references. I would like to then force sync the bibtex-collection link so I can use the new reference.
Can you make it clear how these things are synced and when?
neil.ernst
shared this idea
14 comments
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James Head-Mears
commented
My bib file is still not updating on OSX
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Trevor Bekolay
commented
I believe this has been fixed in a recent update right? I'm removing my votes.
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Chris Davis
commented
This issue seems to have lingered. There is currently a button available for forcing a library sync. Please add a feature that allows a forced bibtex sync somewhere (in a menu would be fine, if it would clutter the main layout). It's very nice that the software guesses when syncing should happen, but there are occasions when I want to generate an updated bibtex file without having done one of the changes that triggers it. Right now, I find myself closing and restarting the program to trigger this behavior, which does not seem optimal.
Thanks for this wonderful product; this seemingly minor fix would make my day, and I suspect many other latex users as well.
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Duncan Mortimer
commented
I'm having this problem as well (version 0.9.8.2 on Mac). No automatic syncing of my bibtex files when I add or remove a document from a collection - though Neil's trick works. (Thanks Neil)
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matt.s
commented
Hey - thanks Neil. That does the trick (although not for removing a doc of course). Nono - I don't get sync either adding or removing. Agree it would be nice if this sync could actually be made to work - preferably automatically, or if not with a sync button... looking forward to that bug fix mentioned below.
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neil.ernst
commented
A workaround: say you add a document to a collection, and want to update your Bibtex file for that collection. To trigger the re-generation of Bibtex, go to that collection and toggle the 'unread' icon (the bullet) (on/off works fine). That should be enough to force the export.
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nono
commented
Hi, I use version 0.9.8.1 for Windows.
Sync is triggered when I add a document, but not when I remove it. Furthermore, the functionality sometimes stops working for a given document, I don't know why: no matter the changes I make, no sync is done at all.
I'm therefore in favour of a button to verify all bibtex files, and force sync if unsync elements are detected. -
matt.s
commented
Hi Bruno,
Which Mendeley version are you using? I'm using v0.9.8.1 for Mac but bibtex sync isn't triggered when I add a document. I notice from another post that this functionality was supposedly introduced in v0.9.4, so I'm wondering why it doesn't work for me?
Matt -
nono
commented
Hello Robert,
in the latest version, it seems that bibtex sync service gets triggered when a document is added or modified, but not when a document is removed...
Bruno -
matt.s
commented
Hi Robert, I have the same issue. The Collections folder is great for keeping a set of citations that you want to use in a paper that you're writing, but it's really annoying to have to go into preferences/BiBTeX/create one BiBTeX file per collection/ and then hit 'apply' every time you add a paper, during the writing process. Either a simple 'BiBTeX sync' button on the toolbar, or better still an automatic sync would be great. Any progress on this? Thanks, Matt
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Robert Knight
commented
Hello,
We did some further testing. It appears the problem is that the Bibtex sync service gets triggered when a document's details/tags/notes are changed but not when a document is added to or removed from a collection. So when syncing in file-per-collection mode, adding an existing document to a collection may not result in the Bibtex file for that collection being updated.
The next time a change is made to a document which is in that collection at the time of the change, it will be updated.
Have filed a bug report to fix in future.
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Robert Knight
commented
> Even waiting for hours, or a sync with the online database is not rewriting the bitex files.
When the sync happens, it should be within a few seconds of making changes in the UI, otherwise there is a problem somewhere.
One thing to be aware of is that unreviewed documents (those in the 'Needs Review' collection or which show the 'These documents need reviewing' bar above them in the Details pane) are not exported via Bibtex sync.
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anonymous
commented
Hi Robert
In the latest version of Mendeley 0.9.7 for generic linux, I have to force a sync by going to tools>options>bibtex>apply
There is no automatic sync otherwise. Even waiting for hours, or a sync with the online database is not rewriting the bitex files. -
Robert Knight
commented
Hello Neil,
Bibtex files should be automatically updated as soon as you make any changes to your library or when you restart the application. If the collection is large there may be a short delay whilst the file is written, in which case there will be a <Bibtex filename>.part file in the same folder containing the partially created file whilst it is being written.
If you are not seeing the Bibtex file being updated immediately please let us know.
