Is it possible to add items to a fixed-value text column without restarting Calibre?

[ownedbycats]

As stated in title.

While setting up a new fixed-value column, I ended up restarting Calibre a bunch of times after remembering more items I ought to add to the list.

I considered turning it into a tag-like but each book only needs one entry so I prefer the dropdown menu.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

As stated in title.

While setting up a new fixed-value column, I ended up restarting Calibre a bunch of times after remembering more items I ought to add to the list.

I considered turning it into a tag-like but each book only needs one entry so I prefer the dropdown menu.

Why not try it.
IIRC it works after the initial Column is created.
I also reordered some so tapping the First letter takes me to the most frequently used. P -> PDF,PDB

[ownedbycats]

Every time I try, closing the column window tells me to restart and I can't open it again until I do.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Every time I try, closing the column window tells me to restart and I can't open it again until I do.

I have been corrected by Calibre.
Those values do get added to the Schema (part of the DB rules)

[ownedbycats]

It works until I have to change a setting or something.

It does drive me a little nuts at times that I can't edit the Calibre settings while a job is running. I understand that it can break things but I don't think adjusting the order of displayed metadata in the books detail pane while checking for fanfic updates will hurt much.

[ownedbycats]

I actually went and found another bug. Turns out that renaming fixed-values from the tag browser doesn't work. Well, it's on the bug tracker now.

I swear I break everything I touch....

[ownedbycats]

Bug #1900921 - chaley seems to have added a list editor for next release.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Bug #1900921 - chaley seems to have added a list editor for next release.

My list is made up of many short items. This will help big time
Thanks Charles

[chaley]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Bug #1900921 - chaley seems to have added a list editor for next release.

If you want to see/test this, Kovid (for other reasons) released a Win64 beta that has it. He didn't change the version number. You will see change in the tag browser context menu for enumerated types. There is a line "Edit permissible values for X". Note that because it changes the database the last modified date will be updated for all books, just like it is when you edit a custom column definition.

[ownedbycats]

I just gave it a quick test. Looks good.

One thing that might be an oversight: renaming an existing value doesn't modify that value on existing books.

I also appreciate the tweak to adjust the width of the custom column label. I don't use the default UI font so I was able to adjust it to fit better.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I just tested it out.

One thing that might be an oversight: renaming an existing value doesn't modify that value on existing books.

Not an oversight. The editor changes the list stored in the database just as if you edited the column definition. You then use "Manage X" to change the no-longer-valid values to whatever you want. You will see that the invalid values are marked with a red background.

Reason: combining defining the values with changing the values created difficulties I didn't want to try to solve, specifically the problems of splitting books between new values and dealing with virtual libraries.

[ownedbycats]

Ah I see. I'll try to remember it.