remove ebooks from virtual library

[reup]

hello all,

I have a calibre managed library with around 500 hundred books SF and Fantasy

if I create a virtual library based on the search work Fantasy, I end up with a little number of SF books in it because they have the word fantasy in the description.

if I try to delete the book, it will remove it from the global library.

is there a way to remove books from virtual library without delete them from the global one ?

thx

[fidvo]

The only way to remove a book from a virtual library (aside from removing it from the global library) is to change either the metadata of the book so that it no longer matches the filter the virtual library is based on, or change the filter of the virtual library.

In this case, I think you should focus on the second option. It looks like your virtual library filter is too broad. You may need to modify it to narrow what it's looking for.

I can't go into any more detail because I don't know what the filter is or how you have your library set up. However, I can say this:

What determines whether a book is Fantasy in your library? If you can get a specific answer to that question, including what column(s) store that info, you should be able to come up with a filter that will get exactly what you want. Then you just need to replace the filter in your virtual library.

[eschwartz]

Perhaps you should create the virtual library based on the tag Fantasy?

tags:"=Fantasy"

A virtual library will contain any book in the global library that matches the search -- so you need to fine-tune your search.

...

You can actually exclude a specific book by the record #, e.g. don't include book #2424:

not id:2424

But that's not very maintainable, as you have to manage them by hand.

[reup]

thanks both from your answers, but this is actually the issue,

my tags are not set, so I have to split the library base on tags and content, then set the tags correctly. on 500 books, that is a bit hard to do it manually.

(sorry for the spelling, I am french and not so good at spelling in english)

[eschwartz]

And you are already setting the Virtual Libraries???

I have a suggestion: Do a search for "fantasy", manually go through the results, and get your Fantasy books properly tagged.


If you are relying on a search but want to exclude specific books, then presumably you are confident that all the rest are definitely Fantasy.
So... tag them.



It's pretty easy to just CTRL+click and add books to a list of highlighted books, then drag them onto the "Fantasy" tag in the tag browser... or use Edit Metadata to set the tag in bulk.

But regardless, the only way to get an accurate Virtual Library is if you can accurately sort through the books. In which case, again, tag them.

[reup]

thanks again,

I will try some of the advises you gave me. I like the "not id xxx"

the good think with the virtual library is that I can start some work, save the virtual and come back to it a a later time. if I only select a hundred book then CTRL-Click to unselect a few, any bad manipulation will deselect the complete set and I would have to redo it all (I try that already, not cool :-) )

I still believe that it would be great to be able to remove one book from the list, but calibre is already so perfect, I would not bother the developer for a request like this one

[eschwartz]

You *can* remove one book from the Virtual Library.

Just remember -- a Virtual Library is a search, not a list.
So... tack on another parameter to the search, a logical NOT operator that matches only that book. By id#.



As for bad manipulation destroying a selection, perhaps using Mark Books can help. There is a toolbar button you can add, and the default shortcut is CTRL+M

Select a few books, CTRL+M to "Mark" them, and build a list of marked books. Then add the marked books to a tag.

Mark Books -- one of the more obscure features of calibre, which no one seems to think about much. But I find it quite useful.

[reup]

you did it,

I did not know about marking books, but it is exactly the feature I needed.

I did create a column but I could not get a checkbox, only a yes/no options, that is done with 3 click, and it is too much, but CTRL-M is perfect

[theducks]

Virtual libraries are created from the Main library by establishing a set of CONDITIONS that must be met.
Typically those fall into 2 categories: OR or AND

ex.
I have a VL 'To Read' that requires: formats:true and #read:false

(My library contains Empty Books, that document my paper Library and my wishlist )

I also have a VL 'Poor or None'
formats:false or #usertagsoor
(... whatever, I still need to clean up ridiculous font-size, huge margins...)

Bottom line, you need to AND another condition to hide the book. AND NOT a_condition can be used

[reup]

thanks also "theducks" for taking the time to reply.

I will try the "AND NOT" conditions, and the "no id xxx" combine with the possibility to mark books, that really makes calibre a perfect Library software for me

I use also the technic to create 2 other library and to Copy(delete after copy) so I can separate my ebooks then reunite the library when the tags are sorted

[eschwartz]

Always something new to learn about calibre. (Even the gurus learn new tricks sometimes. )

Happy to help.
Hopefully you have enough different solutions by now that one of them will do the trick.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Always something new to learn about calibre. (Even the gurus learn new tricks sometimes. )

Happy to help.
Hopefully you have enough different solutions by now that one of them will do the trick.

Kovid keeps us on our toes by continually adding or improving the features
(Ack, my toes hurt, Maybe he should slow down )