MacOS→Linux: Metadata Mess

Clebbel · 05-03-2025, 04:20 PM

Question: I moved from MacOS to Linux, backed up my Calibre library before I made the switch but I've just imported it back in again and the metadata is an absolute mess. No book covers, author names are file names, no blurb etc. Some are ok but I've to fix thousands. Is there a way I can get this back to my previous level of super organisation? Doing it one by one might break me.

BetterRed · 05-03-2025, 04:28 PM

Moderator Notice
Moved to separate thread

How did you "backup" and "import" your Calibre library?

BR

Clebbel · 05-03-2025, 04:43 PM

Hi, i like my new post title thanks! So I used Calibre to make a backup of my library and saved that to an external hdd, then when I was installed on Linux I just imported that whole folder back in again.

BetterRed · 05-03-2025, 05:03 PM

Calibre has no explicit "backup" feature.

What it has is a Export/Import calibre data feature - see item 6 ==> The Graphical User Interface — Library

Is that what you used?

BR

Clebbel · 05-03-2025, 05:20 PM

Yes sorry, I exported my library to a folder which I backed up on my hdd, then imported this folder.

Clebbel · 05-03-2025, 05:38 PM

hmm... no, no I didn't do this right. I added the books from the exported folder as if they were new books. I've just deleted my whole library and brought them back with the actual import library function and tah-dah it's perfect!

My apologies for wasting your time. Thank you very much for making the distinction clearer for me.

05-03-2025, 04:20 PM	#1
Clebbel Fiction > Reality Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2025 Location: Ireland via NZ Device: Kobo Clara & Kindle PW5	MacOS→Linux: Metadata Mess Question: I moved from MacOS to Linux, backed up my Calibre library before I made the switch but I've just imported it back in again and the metadata is an absolute mess. No book covers, author names are file names, no blurb etc. Some are ok but I've to fix thousands. Is there a way I can get this back to my previous level of super organisation? Doing it one by one might break me.

05-03-2025, 05:38 PM	#6
Clebbel Fiction > Reality Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2025 Location: Ireland via NZ Device: Kobo Clara & Kindle PW5	hmm... no, no I didn't do this right. I added the books from the exported folder as if they were new books. I've just deleted my whole library and brought them back with the actual import library function and tah-dah it's perfect! My apologies for wasting your time. Thank you very much for making the distinction clearer for me. Last edited by Clebbel; 05-03-2025 at 05:39 PM. Reason: spelling

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05-03-2025, 04:28 PM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,659 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Moderator Notice Moved to separate thread How did you "backup" and "import" your Calibre library? BR

05-03-2025, 04:43 PM	#3
Clebbel Fiction > Reality Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2025 Location: Ireland via NZ Device: Kobo Clara & Kindle PW5	Hi, i like my new post title thanks! So I used Calibre to make a backup of my library and saved that to an external hdd, then when I was installed on Linux I just imported that whole folder back in again.

05-03-2025, 05:03 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,659 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Calibre has no explicit "backup" feature. What it has is a Export/Import calibre data feature - see item 6 ==> The Graphical User Interface — Library Is that what you used? BR

05-03-2025, 05:20 PM	#5
Clebbel Fiction > Reality Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2025 Location: Ireland via NZ Device: Kobo Clara & Kindle PW5	Yes sorry, I exported my library to a folder which I backed up on my hdd, then imported this folder.

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