Is there a way to ADD from BOTH file data & file name

[Philosopher]

I hope I can get this to make sense and be concise.

Is there a way (or if not - could this be considered) to have upon ADDING books - it to FIRST look to see if there is a FIELD with info in the file already - to get the metadata (i.e. Author, Title), and IF NOT - to then fill out that field from the Filename?

Sometimes I have a set of added books (PDF's in particular) where SOME in that set - have the PDF info set for those fields - but not all of them. Whereas the filename may have at least SOME of that information in it (the issue comes from having limits on the lengths of the filename - so in that case - the WHOLE name is not necessarily there - but MAY BE in the PDF itself).

That's the scenario that this question/idea came to me from.

[eschwartz]

In my case I want to use the filename for custom metadata. But I am afraid the answer is no. It is either-or.

[Philosopher]

Ah - thanks. Too bad - that would be nice.

In the meantime - I have found a convenient way to "work around" this issue - although its a couple steps (but not too much).

I have found that using A-PDF Explorer to see what books I am about to add to Calibre - and it is perfect for being able to see those which have the metadata in the info fields already and those that don't. And so then separate them into two sets - and ADD them using the appropriate method to get that info in.

I think you might find - at least for PDFs - that this MAY be an option for what you are trying through file names to - although I have not found the best corresponding tool yet to SET the PDF data in batches first. But have been trying a few. I'll let you know if I come up with a good one. That way you could have the filename with all that metadata - be used to import those fields into the PDF file itself. (And you can set "custom" fields - not just the standard INFO ones - not certain how it can do more than those into Calibre - but I am about to try some ideas. Since I know that having the ISBN:XXXXXXX in the comments field - puts it into the isbn field in Calibre. Perhaps similarly - using that format for others FIELDATA - using Calibre's fields, in a list in that Comments field in the PDF, can do this for others. Then if I can find the ideal PDF batch metadata input tool - that would be even better depending on what you are trying to add via filename.

But certainly at least with Author, Title, Published Date ... and even ISBN - this is a possible option for you. I'll keep you up to date as I keep exploring this from this angle (for PDFs - not sure about tools for other formats). Because if you could first have the PDF fields updated from the filename - and then (so TWO steps) import using the FILE METADATA - you will have accomplished what I think you are seeking.

[BetterRed]

@Philosopher - it may come as surprise but, Phil Harvey's exif-tool can edit PDF metadata. Google for it. Oh look - I have bookmarked a blog that refers to it ==>> PDF metadata: different tool, same story - Ross Mounce Ψ²

To see the non standard properties (series etc) you need something that will show the XML metadata - exiftool will do that

BR

PS : I too have often wished for an option in Add Book that would get metadata from file name as per selected template, and gather anything else from embedded metadata. Would also be good if Extract ISBN functionality could be incorporated into Add Book.

[eschwartz]

@Philosopher -- Very kind of you but I already have a rather hackish script that automates everything. All I need is to fill a custom column named "Original Filename" -- for MOBI/AZW3.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Very kind of you but I already have a rather hackish script that automates everything. All I need is to fill a custom column named "Original Filename" -- for MOBI/AZW3.

Non capisce - what does original file name have to do with PDF metadata, or with extracting metadata from file name AND what's embedded in format being added

And unlike Ross Mounce's blog, your hack's not available to the great unwashed masses

That said the OP does tend to conflate - which belies his/her nick somewhat.

BR

[eschwartz]

Because the OP was offering to share his solution.

So I said thanks, but I already have one.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Because the OP was offering to share his solution.

So I said thanks, but I already have one.

@eschwartz - suggest you either use quote button or put the nick of the person you're addressing at the start of the post. I assumed you was 'talking' to my prior post.

I note that the @whoever convention seems to have dropped out of favour in recent times - pity.

BR

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@eschwartz - suggest you either use quote button or put the nick of the person you're addressing at the start of the post. I assumed you was 'talking' to my prior post.

I note that the @whoever convention seems to have dropped out of favour in recent times - pity.

BR

Very often I do, but sometimes I slip up -- I guess because of the insidious anti-convention.

Usually happens when there isn't an intervening post - or I didn't notice there was one.

[BetterRed]

@eschwartz - I sometime miss doing it too

What's need is a post reply button (next to quote) that would put the @poster nick in for us - I don't always want a quote.

Maybe the quick reply box could be primed with @<last poster nick>

BR

[eschwartz]

That would be nice.

[Philosopher]

Yes - that would be nice - the reply TO the particular post - not just new reply to the thread.

On that note - let me thus then thank you each here more generally for the above.