Numify

A Zotero plugin that automatically adds hierarchical numeric prefixes to your collection names. Create, rename, delete, or reorder collections — the numbering stays in sync.

What problem am I addressing?

If you use Zotero to manage a growing research library, you’ve probably noticed that collections don’t have any built-in way to enforce a consistent ordering. You can nest them, but there’s no numbering, no drag-and-drop reordering, and no visual hierarchy beyond indentation. Once you have dozens of collections and sub-collections, it becomes hard to keep things organized at a glance.

Numify solves this by automatically assigning hierarchical numeric prefixes to every collection in your library. When you create, rename, delete, or move a collection, the numbering updates itself — no manual renumbering needed. Since the prefixes are stored in the collection name itself, they sync natively across all your devices via Zotero Sync.

Another name for this plugin could have been Numero (Number + Zotero), but decided to go with Numify instead!

  • 1 Physics
    • 1.1 Quantum Mechanics
      • 1.1.1 Entanglement
      • 1.1.2 Superposition
    • 1.2 Classical Mechanics
  • 2 Mathematics
    • 2.1 Algebra
    • 2.2 Calculus
  • 3 Chemistry

How it works

Numify hooks into Zotero’s Notifier API to listen for collection events in real time:

Event What happens
Create New collection is assigned the next prefix; all siblings are renumbered
Rename Base name change → prefix is reapplied. Prefix change → siblings are reordered
Delete / Trash Remaining siblings are renumbered to close gaps
Move Both old and new parent’s children are renumbered

Creating collections

When you create a new collection, Numify automatically assigns the next available prefix.

Creating a new collection named 'My Collection'
Create a new collection
Collection appears as '2 My Collection'
Prefix added automatically

Creating sub-collections

Sub-collections receive prefixes relative to their parent, supporting unlimited nesting depth (1.2.3.4.5...).

Creating a sub-collection under '2 My Collection'
Create a sub-collection
Full hierarchy: 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.2
Full hierarchy numbered automatically

Reordering collections

Since Zotero doesn’t support drag-and-drop reordering, Numify lets you reorder by editing the prefix. Change a collection’s prefix to the desired position, collapse and re-expand the parent, and Numify shifts everything accordingly.

Before reorder: 2.1.1 Yet another sub-collection!, 2.1.2 Another one
Before reorder
After reorder: Another one is now 2.1.1, former 2.1.1 shifted to 2.1.2
After reorder — siblings renumbered

Key Features

  • Auto-prefix on creation — New collections and sub-collections are instantly numbered
  • Deep nesting — Supports unlimited depth (1.2.3.4.5...)
  • Reorder by renaming — Change a prefix to move a collection to a new position
  • Gap-free numbering — Deleting a collection renumbers remaining siblings automatically
  • Rename-safe — Change the base name and your prefix is preserved
  • Syncs across devices — Prefixes live in the collection name, so Zotero syncs them natively

Requirements

  • Zotero 7.0 or later (Zotero 7 and 8 supported)