Long text fields are too tall

[Horus68]

If using custom columns with type "Long text, like comments, not shown in the tag browser" the edit metadata screen shows that filed too tall, almost 9 fields of any other filed (as the field "Text but with fixed set of permitted values" that only takes one line)

That using default layout for metadata screen; If using compact layout (or all in one tab) the size is a 7 field tall.
There is no need to such a big size, as this takes too many space on the screen when using several custom columns.

How to decrease the height of those fields?

See picture attached (2 comments fields are visible in the right column):

[BetterRed]

@Horus68 - I have all the non long-text columns displayed in two columns at the top of the default Custom columns tab, the long text columns are shown under that, again in two columns - viz:



I don't recall doing anything to force that 2 column layout -- other than selecting Default in Edit metadata (single) layout:.

Hopefully someone will know why there is a difference.

BTW: that's my Test library, but my other libraries are the same.

But, because I edit metadata in the Book List using F2, none of that bothers me as I rarely go into Single Metadata Edit. For long text HTML custom columns I use a Column icon with No Text, viz:



I much prefer 'spreadsheet like' interfaces to 'form filling' dialogues. I use the View Manager plugin to create different Book List "Views" (sort order and column sequence) for each library . e.g for Normal use and Data Entry use.

Added: I am using Windows 10 Pro 1903, Calibre 4.4

BR

[Horus68]

I'm not questioning the placement of the columns (I choose it that way), just its height size that should be close to 3 non long text fields not the actual 9 fields (around 13 text lines)

In Edit metadata (single) layout the custom columns are ordered by column header name and with the long text fields at the bottom (your screen).
Note: the fileds "Long text, like comments" but with the option "Interpret this column as" to be "Short text like a title" behave differently from the ones with HTML ou markup)

You can specify a different order in Preferences/Tweaks / like

metadata_edit_custom_column_order = [u'#pages', 
 u'#genre',
 u'#read']

and that's my scenario... And I do prefer the single edit screen for some specific task, just its not truly improved.

End note: Thank you on the hint for the "Column icon with No Text" but how can I do it?!
(found it ... Look and feel / Column icons)

[BetterRed]

Ah-ha - you've answered my question

I have three libraries (books, periodicals, audio video). Because that custom column order tweak is global I couldn't find a workable compromise - so I cleared it. Consequently all my long-text columns are shown below the other column types.

It was one of the factors that lead me to doing all my metadata in the book list. To that end chaley made a number of enhancements for me, including: '=' and '-' to set a date to Now and Undefined, ' ' to set an integer or float to Undefined, Shift+F2 to pop the Tag and other category editors etc.

Now, my only use of Single MDE is to cut content from Comments and paste into Blurb

BR