Metadata saving problem

mtothet · 10-17-2013, 01:41 PM

Hi.
After adding book to library sometimes I want to change eg. title using "edit metadata" panel. After that new title is displayed in main window and correct data is saved to "metadata.opf" file, but after opening book via Calibre viewer or on my Kindle Classic the old metadata is displayed. It's no need to convert these book, because there're already in mobi format from bookstore. Can I change something in Calibre settings to overwrite old metadata or do I have to polish each book manually?
Thanks

Adoby · 10-17-2013, 04:43 PM

No, you can't change this behavior in any settings. It is how calibre works, deep, deep down.

Calibre doesn't update metadata stored inside books in the calibre library. Only in the database metadata.db and the opf-files. Except when you polish or convert a book. You can convert from one format to the same format. Or use the plug-in "Update Epub".

There are two reasons for this: It is much faster and it allows you to store books in the library without changing them. Ever! Except for the filename.

When you save books to disc or send to device the new copies of the books have the updated metadata inside

DoctorOhh · 10-17-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adoby

Calibre doesn't update metadata stored inside books in the calibre library. Only in the database metadata.db and the opf-files. Except when you polish or convert a book. You can convert from one format to the same format. Or use the plug-in "Update Epub".

The metadata in a book (epub, mobi*, azw3) is updated upon export from calibre's library using the following features:

Send to device
Save to disk
Email
Content server

*Metadata in mobi books that contain both mobi and kf8 is not updated by the above methods.

And as you stated the metadata can be updated in the book within the library by using the following features:

Converting the book
Polish feature (azw3, epub)
Modify epub plugin

Adoby · 10-17-2013, 11:39 PM

Shouldn't this be a sticky somewhere? Or is it already?

What about export using Calibre Companion, does that update metadata?

theducks · 10-18-2013, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adoby

Shouldn't this be a sticky somewhere? Or is it already?

What about export using Calibre Companion, does that update metadata?

Yes, It looks like a Device toCalibre

mtothet · 10-18-2013, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

The metadata in a book (epub, mobi*, azw3) is updated upon export from calibre's library using the following features:

Send to device
Save to disk
Email
Content server

*Metadata in mobi books that contain both mobi and kf8 is not updated by the above methods.

That looks like my case. I was confused, because saving to disc and reimporting or sending to device actually didn't change anything. Now I'm sure I'll have to convert to the same format or polish them. Thanks a lot.

DoctorOhh · 10-18-2013, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtothet

That looks like my case. I was confused, because saving to disc and reimporting or sending to device actually didn't change anything. Now I'm sure I'll have to convert to the same format or polish them. Thanks a lot.

Judging by Kovid's quote below Polish won't work either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Updating metadata in general does not work for joint mobi/kf8 files.

mtothet · 10-18-2013, 04:31 AM

I've tried it, works fine. After choosing to polish joint mobi/kf8 book there is a warning saying that "data in kf6 format will be lost". It's true, after polishing it's kf8 only.

10-17-2013, 01:41 PM	#1
mtothet Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Classic 5	Metadata saving problem Hi. After adding book to library sometimes I want to change eg. title using "edit metadata" panel. After that new title is displayed in main window and correct data is saved to "metadata.opf" file, but after opening book via Calibre viewer or on my Kindle Classic the old metadata is displayed. It's no need to convert these book, because there're already in mobi format from bookstore. Can I change something in Calibre settings to overwrite old metadata or do I have to polish each book manually? Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Metadata not saving for 1 book	Cody_B	Library Management	3	05-15-2013 07:28 PM
Saving Metadata?	Occam6	Library Management	1	09-03-2012 11:57 PM
Saving metadata to formats	maksbotan	Library Management	23	10-01-2011 11:28 AM
Saving after modifying metadata	mitch13	Library Management	3	08-02-2011 01:08 PM
Saving metadata to file?	al35	Calibre	20	07-23-2010 11:02 AM

10-17-2013, 04:43 PM	#2
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,736 Karma: 26785668 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Thinkpad E595, Ubuntu Mate, Huawei Mediapad 5, Bouye Likebook Plus	No, you can't change this behavior in any settings. It is how calibre works, deep, deep down. Calibre doesn't update metadata stored inside books in the calibre library. Only in the database metadata.db and the opf-files. Except when you polish or convert a book. You can convert from one format to the same format. Or use the plug-in "Update Epub". There are two reasons for this: It is much faster and it allows you to store books in the library without changing them. Ever! Except for the filename. When you save books to disc or send to device the new copies of the books have the updated metadata inside

10-17-2013, 11:39 PM	#4
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,736 Karma: 26785668 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Thinkpad E595, Ubuntu Mate, Huawei Mediapad 5, Bouye Likebook Plus	Shouldn't this be a sticky somewhere? Or is it already? What about export using Calibre Companion, does that update metadata?

10-18-2013, 04:31 AM	#8
mtothet Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Classic 5	I've tried it, works fine. After choosing to polish joint mobi/kf8 book there is a warning saying that "data in kf6 format will be lost". It's true, after polishing it's kf8 only.