Footnotes/Endnotes

crutledge · 06-06-2010, 10:40 AM

What does the Epub Spec say about Footnotes/Endnotes?

As of now, this will have to be done manually, unless there is something I have not found. Going to the endnote is no problem, but how is one to return to the point of departure? In MOBI this is handled by some sort of "BACK" command. Some PG files provide a link back. This can be problematical if the reader is not paying attention.

What say the experts?

Jellby · 06-06-2010, 12:16 PM

The spec says nothing, only that links are suported.

As for returning to the main text, that should be a feature of the reading software. The Cybooks, for instance, have a "back" button that works fine after following a link to an end note. In my books, I add a "Back" link to the endnote that points to the paragraph where the note appears in the text (this could be problematic if there are several links to the same note, though).

HarryT · 06-06-2010, 12:58 PM

Even in readers which don't have a "Back" button it's not a particular issue. All you have to do is remember to make a mental note of the page number you're on at the time you click the endnote link, and then go back to that page after. Every reader that I know of has a "goto page x" facility.

crutledge · 06-06-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellby

The spec says nothing, only that links are suported.

As for returning to the main text, that should be a feature of the reading software. The Cybooks, for instance, have a "back" button that works fine after following a link to an end note. In my books, I add a "Back" link to the endnote that points to the paragraph where the note appears in the text (this could be problematic if there are several links to the same note, though).

I've put in some endnote links and I have two testing problems. In Sigil, going from the Endnote link, e.g. [1], to the endnote target works but there is no way to return to the main text.

I've the same problem with ADE which is my Epub test tool. I can go from the link to the target but have found no way to return. Anyone know how ADE does this?

crutledge · 06-06-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Even in readers which don't have a "Back" button it's not a particular issue. All you have to do is remember to make a mental note of the page number you're on at the time you click the endnote link, and then go back to that page after. Every reader that I know of has a "goto page x" facility.

That will work, Harry, but seems rather clumsy.

theducks · 06-06-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crutledge

I've put in some endnote links and I have two testing problems. In Sigil, going from the Endnote link, e.g. [1], to the endnote target works but there is no way to return to the main text.

I've the same problem with ADE which is my Epub test tool. I can go from the link to the target but have found no way to return. Anyone know how ADE does this?

same way HTML does.

Anchor tag

in the original.

Code:

<a id="chapter_19.2"></a>

and the link back in the notes:

Code:

<a href="../Text/Chapter_19.html%23chapter_19.2">

be sure to use relative locations in the href, not absolute (sigil type example)

crutledge · 06-06-2010, 04:49 PM

[QUOTE=theducks;946515]same way HTML does.
QUOTE]

I guess I wasn't clear. I have all of the links in and they seem to work fine.

When testing in ADE and click on a footnote, the footnote comes up fine.

Now, how do I return from the footnote to the main text. In Mobipocket Reader, I merely hit backspace. What do I hit in ADE?

theducks · 06-06-2010, 05:39 PM

[QUOTE=crutledge;946650]

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

same way HTML does.
QUOTE]

I guess I wasn't clear. I have all of the links in and they seem to work fine.

When testing in ADE and click on a footnote, the footnote comes up fine.

Now, how do I return from the footnote to the main text. In Mobipocket Reader, I merely hit backspace. What do I hit in ADE?

I was not clear, either. you put a reverse link (that was why my example anchor was "19.1" That anchor is near the first footnote reference in chapter 19.

At the end of your foot note place a (reference)link(s) to where it could be called from

(1) my footnote. Blah Blah [ch19,ch21]
that have the appropriate href with anchor specifier (aka #19.1)

It is all manual

labor. I keep an open text file on the other screen, with useful snippets that I copy paste into my WIP and tweak the finer points

mrmikel · 06-07-2010, 06:55 AM

Last time I tried this for my Sony Reader, it would go out, but it would not come back, apparently due to a flaw in the Sony implementation of ADE.

crutledge · 06-07-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmikel

Last time I tried this for my Sony Reader, it would go out, but it would not come back, apparently due to a flaw in the Sony implementation of ADE.

I don't believe it's your Sony Reader. I have searched all data on ADE and nowhere are footnotes addressed. Nothing in the spec says anything about returning from a footnote so none was implemented.

The Epub reader in Calibre has the same problem. Mobipocket Reader solved the prtoblem with the "back" control.

This can be overcome by inserting code in the book to allow the reader to click on the footnote and return. The only problem with this is when there are multiple calls to the same footnote.

And deeper and deeper ...

kovidgoyal · 06-07-2010, 01:10 PM

the epub reader is calibre has a back button.

crutledge · 06-07-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

the epub reader is calibre has a back button.

BACKSPACE???

kovidgoyal · 06-07-2010, 02:51 PM

The very first button in toolbar.

Stinger · 06-09-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Every reader that I know of has a "goto page x" facility.

just an FYI; My Kobo eReader does not have any sort of 'GOTO PAGE' function with the current firmware. It also has absolutely no hyperlink support :/

amoroso · 07-14-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Code:

<a id="chapter_19.2"></a>

and the link back in the notes:

Code:

<a href="../Text/Chapter_19.html%23chapter_19.2">

Why not <A NAME="...">?

Code:

<a name="chapter_19.2"></a>

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06-06-2010, 10:40 AM	#1
crutledge eBook FANatic Posts: 18,301 Karma: 16078357 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alabama, USA Device: HP ipac RX5915 Wife's Kindle	Footnotes/Endnotes What does the Epub Spec say about Footnotes/Endnotes? As of now, this will have to be done manually, unless there is something I have not found. Going to the endnote is no problem, but how is one to return to the point of departure? In MOBI this is handled by some sort of "BACK" command. Some PG files provide a link back. This can be problematical if the reader is not paying attention. What say the experts?

06-06-2010, 12:16 PM	#2
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,543 Karma: 19001583 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	The spec says nothing, only that links are suported. As for returning to the main text, that should be a feature of the reading software. The Cybooks, for instance, have a "back" button that works fine after following a link to an end note. In my books, I add a "Back" link to the endnote that points to the paragraph where the note appears in the text (this could be problematic if there are several links to the same note, though).

06-06-2010, 12:58 PM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Even in readers which don't have a "Back" button it's not a particular issue. All you have to do is remember to make a mental note of the page number you're on at the time you click the endnote link, and then go back to that page after. Every reader that I know of has a "goto page x" facility.

06-06-2010, 04:49 PM	#7
crutledge eBook FANatic Posts: 18,301 Karma: 16078357 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alabama, USA Device: HP ipac RX5915 Wife's Kindle	[QUOTE=theducks;946515]same way HTML does. QUOTE] I guess I wasn't clear. I have all of the links in and they seem to work fine. When testing in ADE and click on a footnote, the footnote comes up fine. Now, how do I return from the footnote to the main text. In Mobipocket Reader, I merely hit backspace. What do I hit in ADE?

06-07-2010, 06:55 AM	#9
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	Last time I tried this for my Sony Reader, it would go out, but it would not come back, apparently due to a flaw in the Sony implementation of ADE.

06-07-2010, 01:10 PM	#11
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,162 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	the epub reader is calibre has a back button.

06-07-2010, 02:51 PM	#13
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,162 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	The very first button in toolbar.

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