Can't convert Word documents

mak4311 · 01-14-2013, 06:31 AM

Hi,
Got a problem with Calibre - can't convert .doc or .docx (converting to epub).
Error message: couldn't convert book because no supported source format.
If I save the document in another format - pdf, rtf, html (Calibre for some reason shows as .zip instead of .html) - converts without any problem.
Documents can be from "made from scratch" to "copy text from Internet page", added or dragged in - result is the same. Just downloaded newest Calibre 0.9.14 - didn't help.
What can be a problem?

itimpi · 01-14-2013, 07:36 AM

Calibre does not directly support conversion of Word documents (although there is now a plugin to handle .docx files). The best thing to do with Word documents is to load them into Word and then save them as HTML (filtered) and then add the HTML file to Calibre. The HTML should convert without problems.

theducks · 01-14-2013, 09:02 AM

or use Open Office w/Writer2EPUB for a more direct (and free) route to EPUB

mak4311 · 01-15-2013, 06:44 AM

Thank you, so it is "inbuilt feature".
IMO .doc and .docx should be removed from supported formats to prevent confusion.

itimpi · 01-15-2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mak4311

Thank you, so it is "inbuilt feature".
IMO .doc and .docx should be removed from supported formats to prevent confusion.

They are NOT on the list of supported formats for conversion (the list s given here).

Note that calibre can STORE formats that it cannot convert so maybe that is the confusion?

amo · 04-02-2013, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

or use Open Office w/Writer2EPUB for a more direct (and free) route to EPUB

Thanks for that tip! You've just saved me a ton of hassles.

BetterRed · 04-02-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

They are NOT on the list of supported formats for conversion (the list s given here).

Note that calibre can STORE formats that it cannot convert so maybe that is the confusion?

itimpi, can you tell me where I can see the list of formats that Calibre can store but not convert

Its not the Behaviour->Inputs list, because that does not have .doc, only .docx; but I can drop .doc's into the Book Details panel and they show up as a format.

I think the only thing that Calibre can do with a .doc is to store it in a book folder, open it in the associated program, and open it in a program designated in Open With.

This begs the question, so why can't it store .xls, ppt, mp3, .avi... files and do the same with them ?

thanks BR

kovidgoyal · 04-02-2013, 10:50 PM

calibre can store any file at all, simply select the all files filter in the add books dialog. But it will only allow drag and drop adding of known "text document" file types. You cannot D 'nD arbitrary files into calibre.

BetterRed · 04-02-2013, 11:40 PM

for that - what a Gem

I probably clicked on Add Books a couple of times when I first got Calibre, but its not even in my tool bars today.

I use the command line to create empty books and then drop the format files into the empty book - it suits me better do it that way.

Being able to add arbitrary files to a book creates some interesting possibilities. My only wish would be that the File Type selector would use the 'same as last time'.

Thanks again Kovid

BR

01-14-2013, 06:31 AM	#1
mak4311 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Nook	Can't convert Word documents Hi, Got a problem with Calibre - can't convert .doc or .docx (converting to epub). Error message: couldn't convert book because no supported source format. If I save the document in another format - pdf, rtf, html (Calibre for some reason shows as .zip instead of .html) - converts without any problem. Documents can be from "made from scratch" to "copy text from Internet page", added or dragged in - result is the same. Just downloaded newest Calibre 0.9.14 - didn't help. What can be a problem?

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01-14-2013, 07:36 AM	#2
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,552 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	Calibre does not directly support conversion of Word documents (although there is now a plugin to handle .docx files). The best thing to do with Word documents is to load them into Word and then save them as HTML (filtered) and then add the HTML file to Calibre. The HTML should convert without problems.

01-14-2013, 09:02 AM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,782 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	or use Open Office w/Writer2EPUB for a more direct (and free) route to EPUB

01-15-2013, 06:44 AM	#4
mak4311 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Nook	Thank you, so it is "inbuilt feature". IMO .doc and .docx should be removed from supported formats to prevent confusion.

04-02-2013, 10:50 PM	#8
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,843 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	calibre can store any file at all, simply select the all files filter in the add books dialog. But it will only allow drag and drop adding of known "text document" file types. You cannot D 'nD arbitrary files into calibre.

04-02-2013, 11:40 PM	#9
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,553 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	for that - what a Gem I probably clicked on Add Books a couple of times when I first got Calibre, but its not even in my tool bars today. I use the command line to create empty books and then drop the format files into the empty book - it suits me better do it that way. Being able to add arbitrary files to a book creates some interesting possibilities. My only wish would be that the File Type selector would use the 'same as last time'. Thanks again Kovid BR