Paragraph Spacing Disappears in MP Creator

Prestidigitweeze · 05-18-2011, 04:12 AM

Can anyone answer this question? It was posed by an online friend. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Quote:

When I code in HTML a blank space above a paragraph, either by inserting <br> six times, or putting style="margin-top:100px;" into the p class tag, then run the file through Mobipocket Creator, the blank space shows up fine when I look at the ebook in Kindle for PC. But when I transfer the file over to my handheld Kindle and look at the ebook, the blank space no longer shows up. Is this just a Kindle bug, or does anybody know if there's a work-around for the problem? Thanks in advance.

HarryT · 05-19-2011, 05:56 AM

The correct way to do vertical spacing in a Mobipocket book is to use the "height=" attribute of the <p> or <div> tag.

Eg: <p height="1em"> will leave a 1em space above the paragraph.

Jellby · 05-19-2011, 06:56 AM

But Mobipocket Creator should convert the CSS margins, as far as I know...

Stodder · 05-19-2011, 07:26 AM

The Amazon Publishing Guidelines state that: "The space before each paragraph can be changed using the “margin-top” style on tag <p>."

Unless i'm mistaken, the margin-top method is still okay, isn't it? I've never tried the alternatives.
I hope it's still acceptable as I use it a lot :-)

Billi · 05-19-2011, 07:51 AM

Yes, margin-top in a css-file works, too. Both ways are possible.
Prestidigitweeze, has your friend played a little bit along it? Tried it with other measures like pt or em or with a smaller gap?

HarryT · 05-19-2011, 09:18 AM

Yes, it's not a good idea to specify paragraph spacing in pixels, since you almost certainly want it to scale with the text size.

Prestidigitweeze · 05-19-2011, 12:08 PM

When last I looked, Harry and Billi, this thread wasn't active. Now that it is, I'll present your findings and ask your questions. Thanks so much for the helpful responses.

DaleDe · 05-19-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellby

But Mobipocket Creator should convert the CSS margins, as far as I know...

I believe Mobipocket creator is less capable than Kindle Creator in this regard.

Dale

Stodder · 05-19-2011, 08:40 PM

Kindle Creator?

DaleDe · 05-19-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stodder

Kindle Creator?

Kindle Generator I meant.

Dale

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05-19-2011, 05:56 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The correct way to do vertical spacing in a Mobipocket book is to use the "height=" attribute of the <p> or <div> tag. Eg: <p height="1em"> will leave a 1em space above the paragraph.

05-19-2011, 06:56 AM	#3
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,571 Karma: 20150435 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	But Mobipocket Creator should convert the CSS margins, as far as I know...

05-19-2011, 07:26 AM	#4
Stodder Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 12 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: ipad, kindle	The Amazon Publishing Guidelines state that: "The space before each paragraph can be changed using the “margin-top” style on tag <p>." Unless i'm mistaken, the margin-top method is still okay, isn't it? I've never tried the alternatives. I hope it's still acceptable as I use it a lot :-)

05-19-2011, 07:51 AM	#5
Billi Wizard Posts: 3,388 Karma: 14190103 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Device: Cybook, iRex, PB, Onyx	Yes, margin-top in a css-file works, too. Both ways are possible. Prestidigitweeze, has your friend played a little bit along it? Tried it with other measures like pt or em or with a smaller gap?

05-19-2011, 09:18 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, it's not a good idea to specify paragraph spacing in pixels, since you almost certainly want it to scale with the text size.

05-19-2011, 12:08 PM	#7
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 2,384 Karma: 31132263 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: White Plains Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.	When last I looked, Harry and Billi, this thread wasn't active. Now that it is, I'll present your findings and ask your questions. Thanks so much for the helpful responses.

05-19-2011, 08:40 PM	#9
Stodder Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 12 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: ipad, kindle	Kindle Creator?