Missing import/export function

[recce]

I apologize if this question has been answered before. I search the forum but found only a post from 2019 and it was not helpful.
My setup:

• Calibre library is on my Google drive
• Two home PCs running Calibre 5.29 version on Windows 10

Problem:
I noticed that if I update the epub file from one PC, Calibre on that PC shows those updates, but the second PC does not show any updates. I figured that though both PC are connected to the same epub file, the database needs to be in sync between those PCs.

So here is my problem: how can I sync all settings including the databases between the two machines that using the same library?
I thought I saw an Export/Import function in the previous Calibre versions. But for the life of me I can’t find it in the latest version. Was it removed in the latest version or am I searching in the wrong place?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bnZ...ew?usp=sharing

[gbm]

Originally Posted by recce

I apologize if this question has been answered before. I search the forum but found only a post from 2019 and it was not helpful.
My setup:

• Calibre library is on my Google drive
• Two home PCs running Calibre 5.29 version on Windows 10

Problem:
I noticed that if I update the epub file from one PC, Calibre on that PC shows those updates, but the second PC does not show any updates. I figured that though both PC are connected to the same epub file, the database needs to be in sync between those PCs.

So here is my problem: how can I sync all settings including the databases between the two machines that using the same library?
I thought I saw an Export/Import function in the previous Calibre versions. But for the life of me I can’t find it in the latest version. Was it removed in the latest version or am I searching in the wrong place?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bnZ...ew?usp=sharing

From the calibre FAQ's:

https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...rked-drive-nas

Even with these tools there is danger of data corruption/loss, so only do this if you are willing to live with that risk. In particular, be aware that Google Drive is incompatible with calibre, if you put your calibre library in Google Drive, you will suffer data loss. See this thread for details.

bernie

[chaley]

Many settings, for example saved searches and virtual libraries, are stored in the database. If you aren't seeing changes to these preferences then the two clients are seeing different databases, probably because of conflicts. In other words you have already broken your library. If you haven't then there is a good chance you will, especially using Google Drive.

Putting the above aside, preferences that are stored per user are saved in the calibre configuration folder/directory, which is not in the library. Move this directory to the shared storage and use the environment variable CALIBRE_CONFIG_DIRECTORY to point at it.

[recce]

Ah! Thanks, gbm for the very valuable info. I didn't know about the Google drive. I guess I need to rethink my setup.

Thanks again!

[recce]

@chaley
Thanks. That's what exactly what I did today - backed up the entire Calibre2 folder to the shared network drive. I will just keep syncing this folder between the 2 machines using Pathsync.
As for the library location - that's a whole new story. Do you suggest to keep it local and just keep manually sync it between the PCs or use the Calibre server. What would be the recommended setup for multiple PCs using the same library?

[recce]

I found the answer to the missing export option:"Right click the calibre icon in the main calibre toolbar and select Export/import all calibre data. Note that if there is currently a device connected, this menu option will not be available – so, disconnect any connected devices."

I should have read the instructions before asking. But then again, there is a log to read!

[chaley]

Originally Posted by recce

@chaley
Thanks. That's what exactly what I did today - backed up the entire Calibre2 folder to the shared network drive. I will just keep syncing this folder between the 2 machines using Pathsync.

Do you mean \Program Files\calibre2? There is no need to copy that. No user configuration is stored there.

The calibre configuration folder is by default in your user folder, AppData\Roaming\calibre IIRC. You can easily find the exact location from within calibre by going to Preferences / Miscellaneous and click "Open calibre configuration folder". Move that folder to wherever you want it, then tell calibre where it is using the environment variable.

As for the library location - that's a whole new story. Do you suggest to keep it local and just keep manually sync it between the PCs or use the Calibre server. What would be the recommended setup for multiple PCs using the same library?

First, if you do what I discuss below then you *MUST* ensure that only one instance of calibre is open at a time.

For many years I have kept my library and configuration folder in Dropbox without a problem. Before you run calibre you must be sure that the library etc is fully synced. It is a very good idea to pause syncing while calibre is active.

Another better approach is to use a sync program to copy the library and config folders onto the local machine, run calibre, then run the sync program to copy changes back. This avoids the possibility of problems while calibre manipulates the files. Each sync should be one-way. You could do this in a .bat file: sync the files from the shared storage to the local machine, set the environment variable, start calibre, then sync the files back to the shared storage. If you start calibre using "calibre-debug -g" you will avoid problems caused by calibre disconnecting from the dos box so executing the second sync won't happen until calibre exits.

[recce]

Originally Posted by chaley

Do you mean \Program Files\calibre2? There is no need to copy that. No user configuration is stored there.

The calibre configuration folder is by default in your user folder, AppData\Roaming\calibre IIRC. You can easily find the exact location from within calibre by going to Preferences / Miscellaneous and click "Open calibre configuration folder". Move that folder to wherever you want it, then tell calibre where it is using the environment variable.
First, if you do what I discuss below then you *MUST* ensure that only one instance of calibre is open at a time.

That's the best advice! The Config folder happened to be much smaller (like 795KB). I'll sync the folder between my machines.

I don't have a Drop Box, just a Google Drive, so I will keep both libraries and config folders locally synchronized. Of course it is a bit of work, but I don't update my library that often. My major concern was how to keep the library synced between the PCs. Thanks to your advice, now I know how to do it!