How to change author names

Jardin95 · 06-12-2026, 12:49 PM

Hello,
In my Calibre, the author's name is currently displayed as: 'Last Name, First Name'. I would like to have it displayed as 'First Name Last Name'. Is it possible to automate this change... or not?

Thank you

gbm · 06-12-2026, 01:26 PM

https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...es-and-sorting

bernie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jardin95

Hello,
In my Calibre, the author's name is currently displayed as: 'Last Name, First Name'. I would like to have it displayed as 'First Name Last Name'. Is it possible to automate this change... or not?

Thank you

JSWolf · 06-12-2026, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jardin95

Hello,
In my Calibre, the author's name is currently displayed as: 'Last Name, First Name'. I would like to have it displayed as 'First Name Last Name'. Is it possible to automate this change... or not?

Thank you

It's very easy to fix. The Quality Check plugin has an option to swap from FN LN to LN, FN and LN, FN to FN LN. Calibre will still sort by last name.

theducks · 06-12-2026, 02:50 PM

And while you are setting up the Quality check plugin. choose how IT will FIX author initials. (these are 2 step fixes)

Jardin95 · 06-19-2026, 06:15 AM

Thanks everyone!

I used Calibre's regular expressions and it works.

pypeke · 07-15-2026, 11:59 AM

All of my authors are listed in the author column, by FN>LN, but I want them to be LN>FN.

I did step 1 and 2. Then, I added 6 new books. The new books appear as LN>FN, but the old books are still FN>LN.

I tried to do step 3, but I am misunderstanding something. I opened Manage Authors dialogue, and I am stuck.

What does step 3 mean? Do I need to manually, retype each author's names to LN>FN?

With over 2,000 books, it looks like there has to be an easier way.

What am I missing? TIA

Steps:
1. Set the author_sort_copy_method tweak to copy as described above.

2. Restart calibre. Do not change any book metadata before doing the remaining steps.

3. Change all author names to LN, FN using the Manage authors dialog.

4. After you have changed all the authors, press the Recalculate all author sort values button.

5. Press OK, at which point calibre will change the authors in all your books. This can take a while.

JSWolf · 07-15-2026, 12:08 PM

delete post

pypeke · 07-15-2026, 12:20 PM

Thank you. I just used Quality Check and the FIX option. Worked like a charm.

Now, how do I enter an author who only uses her last name's initial and first name?

Do I need a period and a comma after her last name's initial?

V., Ann or V, Ann (without the period)

DNSB · 07-15-2026, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pypeke

Thank you. I just used Quality Check and the FIX option. Worked like a charm.

Now, how do I enter an author who only uses her last name's initial and first name?

Do I need a period and a comma after her last name's initial?

V., Ann or V, Ann (without the period)

More or less up to what you feel more comfortable using. There are no fixed rules.

06-12-2026, 12:49 PM	#1
Jardin95 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2020 Device: Google Pixel 4a5g	How to change author names Hello, In my Calibre, the author's name is currently displayed as: 'Last Name, First Name'. I would like to have it displayed as 'First Name Last Name'. Is it possible to automate this change... or not? Thank you

07-15-2026, 12:08 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 84,326 Karma: 153744555 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	delete post Last edited by JSWolf; 07-16-2026 at 01:57 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Confused with Author-Names and Author-Firstnames	yp54	Kobo Reader	6	05-07-2022 10:32 AM
Bulk changing author names to author sort in tag browser	AussieTupp	Library Management	6	02-05-2017 04:22 AM
Can I change library folder names?	lizzielou	Library Management	2	01-23-2012 11:49 AM
Change names and titels	Grandad	Calibre	2	11-15-2011 05:55 AM
Change Names	Grandad	Calibre	3	11-14-2011 10:29 AM

06-12-2026, 02:50 PM	#4
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,908 Karma: 64184592 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	And while you are setting up the Quality check plugin. choose how IT will FIX author initials. (these are 2 step fixes)

06-19-2026, 06:15 AM	#5
Jardin95 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2020 Device: Google Pixel 4a5g	Thanks everyone! I used Calibre's regular expressions and it works.

07-15-2026, 11:59 AM	#6
pypeke Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 202 Join Date: Jul 2015 Device: Kobo Colour and Sage	All of my authors are listed in the author column, by FN>LN, but I want them to be LN>FN. I did step 1 and 2. Then, I added 6 new books. The new books appear as LN>FN, but the old books are still FN>LN. I tried to do step 3, but I am misunderstanding something. I opened Manage Authors dialogue, and I am stuck. What does step 3 mean? Do I need to manually, retype each author's names to LN>FN? With over 2,000 books, it looks like there has to be an easier way. What am I missing? TIA Steps: 1. Set the author_sort_copy_method tweak to copy as described above. 2. Restart calibre. Do not change any book metadata before doing the remaining steps. 3. Change all author names to LN, FN using the Manage authors dialog. 4. After you have changed all the authors, press the Recalculate all author sort values button. 5. Press OK, at which point calibre will change the authors in all your books. This can take a while.

07-15-2026, 12:20 PM	#8
pypeke Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 202 Join Date: Jul 2015 Device: Kobo Colour and Sage	Thank you. I just used Quality Check and the FIX option. Worked like a charm. Now, how do I enter an author who only uses her last name's initial and first name? Do I need a period and a comma after her last name's initial? V., Ann or V, Ann (without the period)