Column for timestamp of ebook file?

PiperKev · 01-09-2025, 06:47 PM

Not sure if this can be done, but I figure this is the best place to ask. I've been using a third party program (sebsync) to keep my library of books from Standard Ebooks updated. When a new version of an ebook is released, the program replaces the book file in the calibre library directory, bypassing the import function, so the calibre import date isn't changed. is there a way to create a custom column that sorts the library by the timestamp on the book file itself, not when it was imported into calibre? I like to keep the library sorted by the most recently updated/added book, so being able to sort on a column like this would be a godsend!

Thanks for any advice,
Kevin

ownedbycats · 01-09-2025, 08:33 PM

I think GetFileName can do this, but only upon import: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=278559

BetterRed · 01-09-2025, 09:47 PM

What you describe is the publication date.

Maybe the format_modtimes template function can help - though I doubt it survives download and injection in calibre… worth a look though.

BR

Comfy.n · 01-09-2025, 09:54 PM

I believe that would require a plugin to read the OS timestamp and apply it on demand.

PiperKev · 01-11-2025, 10:34 AM

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I decided to disable the automatic updates and just import each updated book as a new one. I can then just delete the duplicates!

01-09-2025, 06:47 PM	#1
PiperKev Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: KOA3 JB	Column for timestamp of ebook file? Not sure if this can be done, but I figure this is the best place to ask. I've been using a third party program (sebsync) to keep my library of books from Standard Ebooks updated. When a new version of an ebook is released, the program replaces the book file in the calibre library directory, bypassing the import function, so the calibre import date isn't changed. is there a way to create a custom column that sorts the library by the timestamp on the book file itself, not when it was imported into calibre? I like to keep the library sorted by the most recently updated/added book, so being able to sort on a column like this would be a godsend! Thanks for any advice, Kevin

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01-09-2025, 08:33 PM	#2
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,954 Karma: 74999999 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	I think GetFileName can do this, but only upon import: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=278559

01-09-2025, 09:47 PM	#3
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,716 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	What you describe is the publication date. Maybe the format_modtimes template function can help - though I doubt it survives download and injection in calibre… worth a look though. BR

01-09-2025, 09:54 PM	#4
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,611 Karma: 7891011 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: none	I believe that would require a plugin to read the OS timestamp and apply it on demand.

01-11-2025, 10:34 AM	#5
PiperKev Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: KOA3 JB	Thanks for the replies, everyone! I decided to disable the automatic updates and just import each updated book as a new one. I can then just delete the duplicates!

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