Problem

When trying to open a Citavi 5 project with Citavi 6 (i.e. when migrating a project), you receive the following error message:

Cause

Citavi needs to use the folder C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Temp to convert the project. If the project name or one of the attachment file names is too long, the maximum number of characters can be exceeded.

Solutions

Preparation

Before you try one of the following solutions, check first in Citavi 5 if your attachments are no longer available. Use the quick filter under More > Local file unavailable (see screenshot). Re-attach your files in Citavi 5 before migrating to Citavi 6.

Option 1

1. Close Citavi 5 and Citavi 6.
2. Rename the project folder for your Citavi 5 project. (For example, from "Molecular mechanical models for organic and biological systems going beyond the atom centered two body additive approximation" to "MMM")
3. Open your Citavi 5 project with Citavi 6.

Option 2

(Do not use this solution if the attachments for your Citavi 5 project are saved on a network drive and also used by others!)

1. Start Citavi 5.
2. In Citavi 5 rename all attachments with the Citavi short title ( see screenshot ).
3. Open your Citavi 5 project with Citavi 6.

Option 3

1. Close Citavi 5 and Citavi 6.
2. Temporarily move the Attachments folder for the Citavi 5 project to another location.
3. Open the Citavi 5 project with Citavi 6 to convert it to a local project.
4. Close Citavi 6.
5. Replace the Attachments folder for the Citavi 6 project with the Attachments folder for the Citavi 5 project.
6. Open the Citavi 6 project. If desired, copy the local project to the cloud.