"Read status" doesn't work

[jibjub169]

So my library in Calibre is finally getting big enough that I figured it would be useful to be able to track which books I've read and which ones I haven't. I was pleased to see a column available in the main view called "Read Status".

Unfortunately, I have found no way whatsoever to change that variable, anywhere in Calibre.

• It's not in the metadata in the individual books.

• There is no where you can click on the main viewer to change the value.

• Based on internet research I tried creating custom tags for individual books called "Read" but that doesn't change the "Read Status" column.

• Based on internet research I tried the "Reading List" plugin but no matter how many custom lists I create and move books from "tbr" to "read" etc, the value of "Read Status" never changes.

• I read a tutorial on creating a separate custom column called "Read", then manually checking that Y or N for each book. Unfortunately this is clumsy as heck and does not change the built-in "Read Status" column. I guess this is the only workable option though it is not great.

What's the point of having the "Read Status" column if it can't be changed and can't be used? What am I missing?

[theducks]

Read Status is not a standard column.
Some book you 'borrowed' must have had that defined and you authorized the addition (Calibre asks: do you want to add) to you Library.

Preference: Add your own columns will tell you more. Selecting the column name and clicking the edit (pencil n paper) icon, will tell even more

[jibjub169]

Originally Posted by theducks

Read Status is not a standard column.
Some book you 'borrowed' must have had that defined and you authorized the addition (Calibre asks: do you want to add) to you Library.

Preference: Add your own columns will tell you more. Selecting the column name and clicking the edit (pencil n paper) icon, will tell even more

Incorrect. I have only been using Calibre for a few months and at no point did it ask me to authorize any additional columns or anything else for that matter. I am using a Kindle Paperwhite 3. The only "read" stuff within the hardware device is a percentage, not a yes/no attribute.

Even if what you say were true, upon syncing my device with my computer and Calibre the "Read Status" column should draw data from the device such as the percentage read. It does not.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by jibjub169

Incorrect. I have only been using Calibre for a few months and at no point did it ask me to authorize any additional columns or anything else for that matter. I am using a Kindle Paperwhite 3. The only "read" stuff within the hardware device is a percentage, not a yes/no attribute.

Sorry, "Read status" is NOT a standard column in calibre. How the custom column was created in your library, I don't know. Most custom columns are created by the user, but, they can be created in the method that theducks mentioned. Some plugins will create columns, but I don't know of one that will create a "Read status" column.

Even if what you say were true, upon syncing my device with my computer and Calibre the "Read Status" column should draw data from the device such as the percentage read. It does not.

Well, that is not something that calibre does. Doing it requires someone to have written the code for the device, and for the device to have the status somewhere it can be read when the device is connected to a PC. I haven't heard of anyone doing this for Kindles, so I assume the reading status is not somewhere that it can be read.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by jibjub169

Incorrect. I have only been using Calibre for a few months and at no point did it ask me to authorize any additional columns or anything else for that matter. I am using a Kindle Paperwhite 3. The only "read" stuff within the hardware device is a percentage, not a yes/no attribute.

Even if what you say were true, upon syncing my device with my computer and Calibre the "Read Status" column should draw data from the device such as the percentage read. It does not.

AFAIK Calibre Companion is the only APP that can update Date Read ot 'Read' (a T/F field). Both are custom columns, BOTH had to also be configured matched) in CC.
look at my join date, look at yours... While I do occasional make errors, others with similar experience are know to smack me up the side.

There are 3 ways a custom column can appear:
1) You created it from scratch
2) You 'inherited' the Library (or structure) from a 3rd party
3) You added a book (Copy to Library) from another Library

I Know from use that #3 asks for permission to Include the field if it does not exist.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by jibjub169

Incorrect

Au contraire - it is you that is incorrect, look at the post counts of previous posters.







You might want to bookmark this ==>> calibre User Manual

And spend some time watching these ==>> Video Tutorials

Added : Where did you get calibre? If not from here ==>> calibre - Download calibre, then you may have a 'bespoke' fork of calibre.

BR