Adding another format to an existing book

[Len666]

Hi,

Couldn't find it in the archives so here goes:
I have a book, let's say it's an epub.
I want to add an identical book which is in Mobi.

How do I go about ta get one book with an Epub as well as a mobi-file?

Thanks, Len.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Len666

Hi,

Couldn't find it in the archives so here goes:
I have a book, let's say it's an epub.
I want to add an identical book which is in Mobi.

How do I go about ta get one book with an Epub as well as a mobi-file?

Thanks, Len.

Use 'Convert Books' icon
On the (Convert) settings screen, make sure the Upper Right says EPUB and the Upper Left says Mobi

All the rest is user preference

Click OK
When done:
Both formats now exist in the same Library list item(record)

Note, if your preferred OUTPUT format in Preferences is Mobi, then the Right box will default to that.

Setting the ORDER of the Preferred input format, will cause Calibre to try and find each in that order until it finds one to use.

[itimpi]

Actually, I think the OP was asking about adding another format of eBook to an existing book record?

Assuming I am right, then this is done via the Edit Metadata dialog that allows for adding (or removing) eBook formats from an existing eBook record.

[kiwidude]

Originally Posted by itimpi

Actually, I think the OP was asking about adding another format of eBook to an existing book record?

Assuming I am right, then this is done via the Edit Metadata dialog that allows for adding (or removing) eBook formats from an existing eBook record.

Or you can just select the book, have the book details panel visible on the right hand side and drag/drop the extra format onto the comments area of that panel, to avoid opening the edit dialog.

[Len666]

Yes, I meant the adding of a mobi, not converting into. Thanks!

Len.

[travger]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

Or you can just select the book, have the book details panel visible on the right hand side and drag/drop the extra format onto the comments area of that panel, to avoid opening the edit dialog.

Wow! I never even guessed that! My much-abused wrist thanks you for saving it all those future clicks.

[kiwidude]

Yeah that drag/drop works to replace formats as well, when you get a better version of a book. Note that unlike using the edit metadata window there is no "undo" though - so if you drag/drop with the wrong book selected you can do some damage. I use a combination of both approaches depending on what other operations I am doing on that book at the time.

[Venus]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

Or you can just select the book, have the book details panel visible on the right hand side and drag/drop the extra format onto the comments area of that panel, to avoid opening the edit dialog.

Thanks Kiwidude. Shortcuts are always appreciated.

[Zetmolm]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

Yeah that drag/drop works to replace formats as well, when you get a better version of a book. Note that unlike using the edit metadata window there is no "undo" though - so if you drag/drop with the wrong book selected you can do some damage. I use a combination of both approaches depending on what other operations I am doing on that book at the time.

I didn't know all that. Thanks for these very useful tips!

[Len666]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

Or you can just select the book, have the book details panel visible on the right hand side and drag/drop the extra format onto the comments area of that panel, to avoid opening the edit dialog.

Hi Kiwidude,

Would you know of a way that enables the mobi format to be stored as another format while the "adding books" operation is working?
Now, during "adding books" when adding a mobi with an existing epub in the lib. I get another book instead of one book in two formats.

Thanks, Len.

[kiwidude]

@Len666 - turn on "Automerge" in Preferences -> Adding books. Choose the appropriate suboption that appeals to you - most likely "Overwrite existing duplicate formats" but depends on whether you always want to replace an existing format or not if you have a duplicate.

[Len666]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

@Len666 - turn on "Automerge" in Preferences -> Adding books. Choose the appropriate suboption that appeals to you - most likely "Overwrite existing duplicate formats" but depends on whether you always want to replace an existing format or not if you have a duplicate.

Great! Thanks a lot.
Len.