Restoring custom columns from opf metadata?

moredrowsy · 08-13-2016, 09:39 PM

Is there a way to restore the custom column data from the metadata opf files? I know that calibre edits the opf file when changing column data.

I had a column of "Date Read" for my books that I sync with goodreads but I accidentally deleted the Date Read column when I was messing with the column preferences (yikes).

So is there a way to tell calibre to restore the data or is all the data deleted from the opf files when I deleted the custom column?

theducks · 08-13-2016, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moredrowsy

Is there a way to restore the custom column data from the metadata opf files? I know that calibre edits the opf file when changing column data.

I had a column of "Date Read" for my books that I sync with goodreads but I accidentally deleted the Date Read column when I was messing with the column preferences (yikes).

So is there a way to tell calibre to restore the data?

The problem is:
When you deleted the column, calibre set the 'Dirty Flag' on all the records and queued them in the Library Backup (status). That starts the background task of updating (~3 per sec) that OPF

moredrowsy · 08-13-2016, 09:57 PM

Well, damn. That sucks. I guess I'll just have to recreate the column and enter it again. Sighs

BetterRed · 08-13-2016, 10:30 PM

@moredrowsyIf you don't have a backup then maybe your OS might have something - e.g. the Windows Restore previous versions, if its enabled, of the metadata.opf files - could be tricky though.

First thing I suggest you do is to get a backup/restore process in place, if you use a process that does incremental backups that should encourage you to use it frequently - like daily.

BR

davidfor · 08-14-2016, 12:53 AM

@moredrowsy: If the dates are good on Goodreads, you can export the list as a CSV. Then you can use the Import List plugin to import the details and add the read date to each book.

moredrowsy · 08-14-2016, 04:01 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, and especially to davidfor. I forgot about the goodreads sync. That did the job.

davidfor · 08-14-2016, 04:41 AM

@moredrowsy: Glad that I helped. But, I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even think of using Goodreads Sync!

08-13-2016, 09:39 PM	#1
moredrowsy Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 3	Restoring custom columns from opf metadata? Is there a way to restore the custom column data from the metadata opf files? I know that calibre edits the opf file when changing column data. I had a column of "Date Read" for my books that I sync with goodreads but I accidentally deleted the Date Read column when I was messing with the column preferences (yikes). So is there a way to tell calibre to restore the data or is all the data deleted from the opf files when I deleted the custom column? Last edited by moredrowsy; 08-13-2016 at 09:56 PM.

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08-13-2016, 09:57 PM	#3
moredrowsy Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 3	Well, damn. That sucks. I guess I'll just have to recreate the column and enter it again. Sighs

08-13-2016, 10:30 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,662 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	@moredrowsyIf you don't have a backup then *maybe* your OS *might* have something - e.g. the Windows Restore previous versions, if its enabled, of the metadata.opf files - could be tricky though. First thing I suggest you do is to get a backup/restore process in place, if you use a process that does incremental backups that should encourage you to use it frequently - like daily. BR

08-14-2016, 12:53 AM	#5
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	@moredrowsy: If the dates are good on Goodreads, you can export the list as a CSV. Then you can use the Import List plugin to import the details and add the read date to each book.

08-14-2016, 04:01 AM	#6
moredrowsy Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 3	Thanks for the replies guys, and especially to davidfor. I forgot about the goodreads sync. That did the job.

08-14-2016, 04:41 AM	#7
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	@moredrowsy: Glad that I helped. But, I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even think of using Goodreads Sync!

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