How can I add ALL authors to an entry?

[jecilop]

I know you wonder WHY would I ever do that, but I have my reasons.

Lately with a special library, I've found I wish I could add authors the same way I can add many tags by clicking on the button next to tags and choosing what I want quickly. This function also helps with auditing and library management. This would be especially helpful with massive anthology type listings...massive....like 30 names at least per entry.

Now I have a case where I'd like ALL author names on one entry. This is about 1700 author names.

The authors seem to require typing at least the first letters to pull them in and then the next and then the next and so on......

The only way I know otherwise is to merge all books which would combine them, but there are so many varied entries, I think it would crash the Epub Merge plug-in. I did something like this previously in another library to help with tag management (ie, clearing out the junk ones), but circumstances were different to allow such a merge.

Anyone know a way to do this easily for these authors? I have tried to figure it out...Now I'm asking.

[ownedbycats]

Job Spy plugin has something called along the lines of 'mega-metadata reference' as part of the Metadata tools. I don't know if it covers authors though.

[jecilop]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Job Spy plugin has something called along the lines of 'mega-metadata reference' as part of the Metadata tools. I don't know if it covers authors though.

I'll have to see what that can do. I never ended up using Job Spy so I finally removed it after a computer crash when I "lightened" my toolbar of plug-ins I just never ended up using.

UPDATE: I've looked through it and cannot find a feature that applies to this whether under Metadata Related or even the other options. If something can be used that isn't readily apparent, I don't know what it would be.

[BetterRed]

You could extract a CSV of authors with the calibredb list_categories command, as excel-tab, then replace the tabs with '&' and load that into a book with the ebook-meta command.

See ==>> calibre: Command Line Interface

BR

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by jecilop

I'll have to see what that can do. I never ended up using Job Spy so I finally removed it after a computer crash when I "lightened" my toolbar of plug-ins I just never ended up using.

UPDATE: I've looked through it and cannot find a feature that applies to this whether under Metadata Related or even the other options. If something can be used that isn't readily apparent, I don't know what it would be.

[jecilop]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

You could extract a CSV of authors with the calibredb list_categories command, as excel-tab, then replace the tabs with '&' and load that into a book with the ebook-meta command.

See ==>> calibre: Command Line Interface

BR

BR, you've always offered help that has launched me to more abilities. This sounds like a workable answer. HOWEVER, I feel like an idiot for not understanding the starting point. I get what the goal is and the principle of working with a CSV and manipulating.. So if I can get there, I can do it.

HOWEVER, I feel I'm missing the obvious with the help manual on this. It seems made for people who have experience running python language. I do not. I understand principles and can figure out a lot, but I have to hit the right launching point to connect the dots and try things to learn more.

With this.....

"Pass a command to Calibre ".... do I work from a Command Prompt for Wdws and in what directory do I start? Is there a command line within Calibre instead? This would make sense, but I can't find anything.

Based on the instructions your link leads to, my content server is set up to allow me to make changes IF that's the route it goes through....I don't understand why I need a server when I am working in Calibre (or rather why it works like that), but I can still follow steps to see what happens. But.......

If I can get to the starting point, I know a part of the command is some combination of:
calibredb command [options] [arguments]
calibredb list_categories [options]
--categories, -r

How to combine these? What to fill in for options and arguments?

It's like having a feel for a language but not knowing how to put phrases together as they aren't your first language.

If anyone can help more, it's appreciated. I've tried reviewing this command "stuff" before and am still missing an understanding of a starting point....

IF it helps anyone to help me, the goal now is to get a list, CSV style is fine I think, of all the authors in, say:
"Library A" who also have a specific tag "TAG1" . In the actual library, "TAG1" is the basis of a virtual library to separate these authors from others.

Anyone who can give more direction?

[jecilop]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Attachment 202204

Hmmmm..... well, I would not have connected that function to what I need. I clicked it to see where it would take me...but I see it was some sort of command. ...
I was on one book. I was left with the search bar saying "marked:true" and that single entry suddenly have EVERY tag in the library......
Thankfully, the entry I was on isn't hard to fix the tags back on, but that's definitely not what I'm looking for.....

I tried to see if I could customize that GUI tool, but I get an error when choosing the Customize GUI Tools option as pictured below. I'll reinstall the plug-in. I actually never deleted it, but it did disappear from the toolbar after setting up everything on new computer. I just added it back, but I haven't updated in awhile.

We'll see what happens.

Thanks for the extra info.

[jecilop]

:

Originally Posted by jecilop

I tried to see if I could customize that GUI tool, but I get an error when choosing the Customize GUI Tools option as pictured below.

Grrr...didn't attach error.......UGGGHHH...has the ability to attach a picture changed on MobileRead or am I going senile very early in life?

It wants a URL of an image rather than an upload from my computer. Using the path the photo doesn't do it either... Uggggghhhhh

Here..it's just FYI anyhow..this is what it says.

AttributeError:type object 'QCompleter' has no attribute 'UnfilteredPopupCompletion'

[BetterRed]

@jecilop - To add an attachment, get yourself into Advanced mode and click on the paper-clip icon in the top row of icons.

AFAIK - the Job Spy mega-meta helper tool only works on the Tags column, and Tag-like custom columns.

The command line tools are invoked from the Windows command line. But if you're not familiar with using command line tools, my suggestion probably isn't worth pursuing. You would need to use other tools to transform what comes out of calibredb list_categories into something ebook-meta can process.

Does the object have to be the authors column, could it be a 'real' copy of the Authors column. A custom column with type names (e.g. Writer/#writers) would have a Manage items: Writers column, a'la:



BR

[jecilop]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@jecilop - To add an attachment, get yourself into Advanced mode and click on the paper-clip icon in the top row of icons.

AFAIK - the Job Spy mega-meta helper tool only works on the Tags column, and Tag-like custom columns.

The command line tools are invoked from the Windows command line. But if you're not familiar with using command line tools, my suggestion probably isn't worth pursuing. You would need to use other tools to transform what comes out of calibredb list_categories into something ebook-meta can process.

Does the object have to be the authors column, could it be a 'real' copy of the Authors column. A custom column with type names (e.g. Writer/#writers) would have a Manage items: Writers column, a'la:

Attachment 202205

BR

SOLVED!!! Thank you. That was the reminder I needed about making custom columns...building off a column didn't work but a basic bulk metadata search and replace let me copy to another custom column using names managed like Tags. That's easy enough in my case to compile all authors on one book..
I've had my library tweaked just right for so long I've forgotten about some features in this awesome program.

Thanks, BR!!!!

[capink]

You can print all authors (or any column that have multiple items) using Action Chains plugin, by having a pre-defined formula action with the following template:

program:
    category_items('authors')

Attached below is a chain the performs this action, all you have to do is import it into the plugin: Action Chains > Add/Modify chains > right click the table > import.

After importing the chain, you should see a menu entry called "Print all authors". By invoking it; all authors will be printed into a dialog, where you can copy them.