AZW Import

Maeglin99 · 08-12-2015, 02:22 PM

When I import an AZW/AZW3 file into Calibre, it converts it to MOBI, which Calibre cannot edit. So then I have to convert it back to AZW before editing.
I try to minimize the number of conversions back and forth, as it can introduce problems.
I can't seem to find a setting that leaves it as AZW when importing, so I can directly edit it.
People say that AZW and MOBI are basically the same, but I find that hard to believe, as there are no MOBI editors, and Calibre has no trouble editing AZW.
Help!

eschwartz · 08-12-2015, 03:19 PM

calibre cannot edit AZW. AZW is a renamed MOBI -- it isn't basically the same, it is the same except for a file extension rename.

There are two Kindle ebook formats:

mobi7 -- this is the original mobipocket format Amazon acquired when it bought out Mobipocket SA, with the file extension *.mobi, and which is known as MOBI. Amazon usually renames this to *.azw when sending you a mobi7 ebook -- this signifies it came from Amazon and might have DRM.
mobi8/KF8 -- the "new" mobi, which Amazon developed in-house as an upgrade to mobi7. Usually known as AZW3 (the "3" at the end is significant), KF8 supports many more new features, including CSS, and internally uses XHTML -- it is equivalent to EPUB in a binary wrapper.

calibre can edit AZW3, but not MOBI. The name "AZW" is confusing and I prefer not to use it.

calibre does not convert your *.azw files, but the DeDRM plugin will rename them to *.mobi -- the One True Naming Scheme.

The DeDRM plugin does not rename AZW3 to MOBI (that would be silly). If you indeed had AZW3, they wouldn't be renamed.

AnemicOak · 08-12-2015, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

calibre can edit AZW3, but not MOBI. The name "AZW" is confusing and I prefer not to use it.

Yes it can be confusing. Back in the day when you downloaded an AZW file from Amazon it was always a Mobi, now it could be one of many different format that Kindle uses and different apps/devices might download the same format with different extensions (eg. Topaz format could have an azw, azw1 or tpz extension).

cybmole · 08-12-2015, 03:30 PM

And let's not forget azw6, which is not yet convertible

jhowell · 08-12-2015, 04:15 PM

And also the new kfx (azw8/azw9) enhanced typesetting format.

cybmole · 08-12-2015, 04:34 PM

I have not encountered 8, 9 yet. what nor 4,5,7 if they exist?

AnemicOak · 08-12-2015, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

I have not encountered 8, 9 yet. what nor 4,5,7 if they exist?

IIRC 4 is their print replica PDF format.

Maeglin99 · 08-13-2015, 11:02 PM

You guys are confusing me a little bit. Yes, my issue does involve removing DRM from my Amazon books. I have discovered that the plugin refuses to remove DRM from a file with an azw3 extension, but remove the "3" and voila, no problem.
The imported file ends with a .mobi. Are you saying that if I change the extension to .azw3, it will be editable as an .azw3 file?

Update: Yes, that is apparently right!

08-12-2015, 02:22 PM	#1
Maeglin99 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2015 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	AZW Import When I import an AZW/AZW3 file into Calibre, it converts it to MOBI, which Calibre cannot edit. So then I have to convert it back to AZW before editing. I try to minimize the number of conversions back and forth, as it can introduce problems. I can't seem to find a setting that leaves it as AZW when importing, so I can directly edit it. People say that AZW and MOBI are basically the same, but I find that hard to believe, as there are no MOBI editors, and Calibre has no trouble editing AZW. Help!

08-12-2015, 03:19 PM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	calibre cannot edit AZW. AZW is a renamed MOBI -- it isn't basically the same, it is the same except for a file extension rename. There are two Kindle ebook formats: mobi7 -- this is the original mobipocket format Amazon acquired when it bought out Mobipocket SA, with the file extension .mobi, and which is known as MOBI. Amazon usually renames this to .azw when sending you a mobi7 ebook -- this signifies it came from Amazon and might have DRM. mobi8/KF8 -- the "new" mobi, which Amazon developed in-house as an upgrade to mobi7. Usually known as AZW3 (the "3" at the end is significant), KF8 supports many more new features, including CSS, and internally uses XHTML -- it is equivalent to EPUB in a binary wrapper. calibre can edit AZW3, but not MOBI. The name "AZW" is confusing and I prefer not to use it. calibre does not convert your .azw files, but the DeDRM plugin will rename them to .mobi -- the One True Naming Scheme. The DeDRM plugin does not rename AZW3 to MOBI (that would be silly). If you indeed had AZW3, they wouldn't be renamed. Last edited by eschwartz; 08-12-2015 at 03:23 PM.

08-13-2015, 11:02 PM	#8
Maeglin99 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2015 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	You guys are confusing me a little bit. Yes, my issue does involve removing DRM from my Amazon books. I have discovered that the plugin refuses to remove DRM from a file with an azw3 extension, but remove the "3" and voila, no problem. The imported file ends with a .mobi. Are you saying that if I change the extension to .azw3, it will be editable as an .azw3 file? Update: Yes, that is apparently right! Last edited by Maeglin99; 08-13-2015 at 11:07 PM.

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08-12-2015, 03:30 PM	#4
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	And let's not forget azw6, which is not yet convertible

08-12-2015, 04:15 PM	#5
jhowell Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,171 Karma: 92500001 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Charlottesville, VA Device: Kindles	And also the new kfx (azw8/azw9) enhanced typesetting format.

08-12-2015, 04:34 PM	#6
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	I have not encountered 8, 9 yet. what nor 4,5,7 if they exist?

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