Please help!!

kiera34 · 01-17-2011, 09:46 AM

I've been trying to change a PDF to an Epub. Everything works except for the fact that there are some formatting issues. I.e. Sentences that are part of a paragraph appear as their own separate paragraph. And every time there is a quotation mark, the program reads ot as a paragraph break, even though there is not one in the original document. How do I keep my original formatting?

Thanks!

itimpi · 01-17-2011, 10:43 AM

It can be very difficult to convert PDF files without serious formatting issues.

It is worth looking at the PDF conversion section of the Calibre user manual for tips.

Manichean · 01-17-2011, 11:26 AM

Just a friendly reminder: Try including at least the type of problem in your subject line. A thread name of "Please help!!" isn't very clear, whereas a thread name of, say, "Please help with PDF to ePub conversion!!" may get more attention from the right people. Remember that there are lots of new threads around here, and some of us are in the habit of only viewing those that they can potentially contribute to.

kiera34 · 01-17-2011, 11:48 AM

Thanks... I actually tried that and got no responses... i seriously need the help from one of your brilliant minds. I can't find an option to convert my book to web page filtered. If pdf doesn't work, and my word software doesn't have an option for web page filtered, what should I do??

theducks · 01-17-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiera34

Thanks... I actually tried that and got no responses... i seriously need the help from one of your brilliant minds. I can't find an option to convert my book to web page filtered. If pdf doesn't work, and my word software doesn't have an option for web page filtered, what should I do??

My software? What software?
See what Manichean is trying to get you to provide? Details, without us having to pry every bit out (without anesthetic

) of you.

I am trying to do XtoZ with Y and I can't find "save as filtered". What should I try?

BTW As the Originator, I believe you can edit the title of you original post to something more meaningful.

Manichean · 01-17-2011, 12:10 PM

Weeell, if you asked in another thread already and got no response, chances are that noone has an idea. I've not know threads to go willfully unregarded around here.
Also, theducks is right: provide as much (relevant) details as you can. Makes it easier for people answering to decide what to suggest. If you have already tried something that didn't work, tell us that also.

kiera34 · 01-17-2011, 12:14 PM

Sorry - I'm not as technical as I'd like to be. I appreciate your patience.

My Microsoft Word for Mac 2008 does not allow me the option to convert my word file to a web page filtered.

I've tried using Calibre to create an ebook from PDF and TXT but it screws up the formatting, adding paragraph breaks where there should be none.

Advice?

(btw, i did end up changing the title of this post.)

jackie_w · 01-17-2011, 12:30 PM

Converting PDF to anything is a frustrating and time consuming manual process if you want to reconstruct paragraphs correctly and retain styling, TOC and pictures.

If you're lucky enough to have an iPad, with its bigger screen, why not just read the PDF as-is. Some people have recommended the Goodreader app as being very good. I don't have an iPad myself so cannot speak from personal experience.

Manichean · 01-17-2011, 12:35 PM

If I remember correctly, the web page filtered is in the file type selection if you select "save as". You can also convert from RTF, though, if you have the book in word already.

kiera34 · 01-17-2011, 12:36 PM

Thanks Jackie. I'm actually trying to self-publish, so I need my book in eBook format. Do any of you know of an affordable service that does this (without taking royalties)?

Any other suggestions? What does everyone else do when they are trying to self-publish by creating an ebook? Just pay for it?

itimpi · 01-17-2011, 12:48 PM

If you do not have the option to save as Web Page (Filtered) in your version of word, have you tried the alternative of saving as RTF. Calibre knows how to convert RTF files, and should do a good job of converting from RTF format.

kiera34 · 01-17-2011, 12:54 PM

Brilliant! Thank you SO much! RTF is working. I'm having some trouble not getting it to detect my chapters, but it's much better than the huge formatting issues I had before.

jackie_w · 01-17-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiera34

Brilliant! Thank you SO much! RTF is working. I'm having some trouble not getting it to detect my chapters, but it's much better than the huge formatting issues I had before.

Open the RTF in Word and apply one of the built-in heading styles ('Heading 1", "Heading 2" etc) to style your chapter headings. Calibre can work with these in the Convert - StructureDetection page.

theducks · 01-17-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiera34

Thanks Jackie. I'm actually trying to self-publish, so I need my book in eBook format. Do any of you know of an affordable service that does this (without taking royalties)?

Any other suggestions? What does everyone else do when they are trying to self-publish by creating an ebook? Just pay for it?

I am confused now.
You are the Author? You used what program to originally Create this work? That is where you should start.
PDF is the worst to convert FROM. Not being an adobe user, I can only guess that there are Export options that allow 1)HTML, 2)RTF , exports

Word is notorious for adding tons of kruft to stylesheets (hence the filtered).
There is a nice plug-in (writer2epub. 2 forums down

that does a nice job with a clean source.) using Open Office (writer)

We each have our favorite

tools.
make a backup and try things/different tools on a fresh 'restored' copy until you get close.
Tweak to taste with Sigil (or other tool), Validate with Flightcrew (also built in to Sigil)
Ship it

kiera34 · 01-17-2011, 01:16 PM

Ahhh thank you so much! Will try that Jackie.

Yes I am the author. I created it in Microsoft Word. Will look at Open Office!!

Thanks again!!

01-17-2011, 09:46 AM	#1
kiera34 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: ipad	Please help!!/ creating ebook I've been trying to change a PDF to an Epub. Everything works except for the fact that there are some formatting issues. I.e. Sentences that are part of a paragraph appear as their own separate paragraph. And every time there is a quotation mark, the program reads ot as a paragraph break, even though there is not one in the original document. How do I keep my original formatting? Thanks! Last edited by kiera34; 01-17-2011 at 11:50 AM.

01-17-2011, 10:43 AM	#2
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	It can be very difficult to convert PDF files without serious formatting issues. It is worth looking at the PDF conversion section of the Calibre user manual for tips.

01-17-2011, 11:26 AM	#3
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	Just a friendly reminder: Try including at least the type of problem in your subject line. A thread name of "Please help!!" isn't very clear, whereas a thread name of, say, "Please help with PDF to ePub conversion!!" may get more attention from the right people. Remember that there are lots of new threads around here, and some of us are in the habit of only viewing those that they can potentially contribute to.

01-17-2011, 11:48 AM	#4
kiera34 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: ipad	Thanks... I actually tried that and got no responses... i seriously need the help from one of your brilliant minds. I can't find an option to convert my book to web page filtered. If pdf doesn't work, and my word software doesn't have an option for web page filtered, what should I do??

01-17-2011, 12:10 PM	#6
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	Weeell, if you asked in another thread already and got no response, chances are that noone has an idea. I've not know threads to go willfully unregarded around here. Also, theducks is right: provide as much (relevant) details as you can. Makes it easier for people answering to decide what to suggest. If you have already tried something that didn't work, tell us that also.

01-17-2011, 12:14 PM	#7
kiera34 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: ipad	Sorry - I'm not as technical as I'd like to be. I appreciate your patience. My Microsoft Word for Mac 2008 does not allow me the option to convert my word file to a web page filtered. I've tried using Calibre to create an ebook from PDF and TXT but it screws up the formatting, adding paragraph breaks where there should be none. Advice? (btw, i did end up changing the title of this post.)

01-17-2011, 12:30 PM	#8
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,251 Karma: 16539642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E, LibraCol, PBTouchHD3	Converting PDF to anything is a frustrating and time consuming manual process if you want to reconstruct paragraphs correctly and retain styling, TOC and pictures. If you're lucky enough to have an iPad, with its bigger screen, why not just read the PDF as-is. Some people have recommended the Goodreader app as being very good. I don't have an iPad myself so cannot speak from personal experience.

01-17-2011, 12:35 PM	#9
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	If I remember correctly, the web page filtered is in the file type selection if you select "save as". You can also convert from RTF, though, if you have the book in word already.

01-17-2011, 12:36 PM	#10
kiera34 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: ipad	Thanks Jackie. I'm actually trying to self-publish, so I need my book in eBook format. Do any of you know of an affordable service that does this (without taking royalties)? Any other suggestions? What does everyone else do when they are trying to self-publish by creating an ebook? Just pay for it?

01-17-2011, 12:48 PM	#11
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	If you do not have the option to save as Web Page (Filtered) in your version of word, have you tried the alternative of saving as RTF. Calibre knows how to convert RTF files, and should do a good job of converting from RTF format.

01-17-2011, 12:54 PM	#12
kiera34 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: ipad	Brilliant! Thank you SO much! RTF is working. I'm having some trouble not getting it to detect my chapters, but it's much better than the huge formatting issues I had before.

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01-17-2011, 01:16 PM	#15
kiera34 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: ipad	Ahhh thank you so much! Will try that Jackie. Yes I am the author. I created it in Microsoft Word. Will look at Open Office!! Thanks again!!