How to add values to custom column without deleting existing contents

ElMiko · 03-02-2025, 09:18 AM

I have a custom column ("Comma separated text, like tags, shown in Tag browser"; [contains names]) which I use for things like pseudonyms, translators, and anthology contributors.

I want to add an author's name to multiple anthologies for which that column has already been populated with other contributors. But if I try to do that via "bulk edit", it'll delete the existing contents of that column for all the select books, and replace them with the the single author name I'm trying to add. Is there any way for me to simply append, in bulk, the author name to that column without deleting its existing contents?

theducks · 03-02-2025, 09:54 AM

NOT FULLY TESTED Test on a copy Library

Search and Replace (Bulk mode)

(REGEX) Search: (.+)

Mode: Replace <<<normal
Replace: \1 & new name

OR

Mode: Append or Prepend
Replace: new name

chaley · 03-02-2025, 11:32 AM

It is easy to do using S&R template mode.

ElMiko · 03-02-2025, 04:57 PM

Thank you, both.

My brain straight-up didn't register the "Replace Field/Append Field" optionality. I swear my brain usually works okay...

03-02-2025, 09:18 AM	#1
ElMiko Evangelist Posts: 428 Karma: 65460 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kindle	How to add values to custom column without deleting existing contents I have a custom column ("Comma separated text, like tags, shown in Tag browser"; [contains names]) which I use for things like pseudonyms, translators, and anthology contributors. I want to add an author's name to multiple anthologies for which that column has already been populated with other contributors. But if I try to do that via "bulk edit", it'll delete the existing contents of that column for all the select books, and replace them with the the single author name I'm trying to add. Is there any way for me to simply append, in bulk, the author name to that column without deleting its existing contents?

03-02-2025, 11:32 AM	#3
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,400 Karma: 8012652 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	It is easy to do using S&R template mode. Attached Thumbnails

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03-02-2025, 09:54 AM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,997 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	NOT FULLY TESTED Test on a copy Library Search and Replace (Bulk mode) (REGEX) Search: (.+) Mode: Replace <<<normal Replace: \1 & new name OR Mode: Append or Prepend Replace: new name

03-02-2025, 04:57 PM	#4
ElMiko Evangelist Posts: 428 Karma: 65460 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kindle	Thank you, both. My brain straight-up didn't register the "Replace Field/Append Field" optionality. I swear my brain usually works okay...

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