Let's add DOC support

Artiach · 05-05-2011, 06:32 PM

I'm in need of doc support in Calibre, to convert a bunch of docs for my mother. I thought this wouldn't be so hard to add so I want to contribute a patch.

First, of course, I would like to hear from the authors about why Calibre doesn't support DOC already (I'm assuming there's a reason) and if they have pointers on how to go about it.

To get the ball rolling, for DOCX we have this:
http://openxmlviewer.codeplex.com/releases/view/25391

And for normal docs I found antiword http://www.winfield.demon.nl/
Antiword is not a proper solution I know, does anyone know anything better?

EDIT: There's also this I didn't mention it cause it's java but maybe that's acceptable:
http://www.artofsolving.com/opensource/jodconverter

kovidgoyal · 05-05-2011, 07:32 PM

No converter for docx exists because no one has written one. It's on my TODO list, but then so are about 300 other things.

There's never going to be a converter for doc as opposed to docx as doc is Gods own nightmare and I have no desire whatsoever to support it.

If you do want to write an input plugin for docx, I'd estimate it would be a few days work to support basic docx features. For me to merge your plugin into calibre it must be in python and not depend on external utilities as otherwise supporting it becomes too much of a headache.

JSWolf · 05-05-2011, 07:33 PM

Save as RTF and convert from there.

Artiach · 05-05-2011, 08:01 PM

Ooh! Ok. I was under the impression that you relied on open source command line utilities or libraries that you built for every platform and then you'd invoke them. I had no idea converters where in Python too (I wondered why Calibre conversion was so slow).

So yeah, doing a 100% native python solution is too much work unfortunately. I'll look for some kind of batch converter to convert my docs to rtf or html.

kovidgoyal · 05-05-2011, 08:24 PM

Nope the only conversion that uses a non python library is PDF.

Artiach · 05-05-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Nope the only conversion that uses a non python library is PDF.

Ah, so can't we do the same for docs?

Artiach · 05-05-2011, 11:29 PM

Sorry to double post. I just discovered that Calibre supports ODT. That means I can use the batch conversion wizard in OpenOffice Writer (File->Wizards->Document converter) to convert mass amounts of docs to odt and then use that in Calibre. So yeah, doc support isn't really needed in light of this. Thanks for the answers anyway.

05-05-2011, 06:32 PM	#1
Artiach Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: kindle	Let's add DOC support I'm in need of doc support in Calibre, to convert a bunch of docs for my mother. I thought this wouldn't be so hard to add so I want to contribute a patch. First, of course, I would like to hear from the authors about why Calibre doesn't support DOC already (I'm assuming there's a reason) and if they have pointers on how to go about it. To get the ball rolling, for DOCX we have this: http://openxmlviewer.codeplex.com/releases/view/25391 And for normal docs I found antiword http://www.winfield.demon.nl/ Antiword is not a proper solution I know, does anyone know anything better? EDIT: There's also this I didn't mention it cause it's java but maybe that's acceptable: http://www.artofsolving.com/opensource/jodconverter Last edited by Artiach; 05-05-2011 at 06:55 PM.

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05-05-2011, 07:32 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,261 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No converter for docx exists because no one has written one. It's on my TODO list, but then so are about 300 other things. There's never going to be a converter for doc as opposed to docx as doc is Gods own nightmare and I have no desire whatsoever to support it. If you do want to write an input plugin for docx, I'd estimate it would be a few days work to support basic docx features. For me to merge your plugin into calibre it must be in python and not depend on external utilities as otherwise supporting it becomes too much of a headache.

05-05-2011, 07:33 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,479 Karma: 145863170 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Save as RTF and convert from there.

05-05-2011, 08:01 PM	#4
Artiach Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: kindle	Ooh! Ok. I was under the impression that you relied on open source command line utilities or libraries that you built for every platform and then you'd invoke them. I had no idea converters where in Python too (I wondered why Calibre conversion was so slow). So yeah, doing a 100% native python solution is too much work unfortunately. I'll look for some kind of batch converter to convert my docs to rtf or html.

05-05-2011, 08:24 PM	#5
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,261 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Nope the only conversion that uses a non python library is PDF.

05-05-2011, 11:29 PM	#7
Artiach Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: kindle	Sorry to double post. I just discovered that Calibre supports ODT. That means I can use the batch conversion wizard in OpenOffice Writer (File->Wizards->Document converter) to convert mass amounts of docs to odt and then use that in Calibre. So yeah, doc support isn't really needed in light of this. Thanks for the answers anyway.

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