@eschwartz - all I got when I tried following what you said was an extra column which shows the code you gave me against every book. Not sure WHAT it's suppose to do and I do realise I am just being dense. My headspace is pretty poor at the moment ...
@DMee - it's a long rambling one I can't duplicate at will. What does happen consistently is that an error box tells me it can't do anything because the files are open in another process - this being when I am working on a bunch of files already selected with Check Series. When I return to Calibre it has usually processed a decent percentage of the books despite complaining.
Seriously guys, I don't want anyone to waste any more of their time on this as tidying up my library was a once-off procedure I hope never to have to do again. Backups, maintenance etc. will be diligently done!!
If OTOH you are interested at an academic level, I'm happy to keep the thread going.