Automatically convert to multiple formats?

meghane_e · 12-01-2025, 03:31 PM

I have Calibre set up to automatically convert files to EPUB, but I would like all of my incoming books to automatically try converting to two different formats, ie EPUB and AZW3. I'm ok, if the conversion fails. I would just like to make sure the attempt is made.

[Edit: I do know how to do a broad manual search ie `format:EPUB and not format:AZW3`. Would just like to automate it a bit.]

Is there anything currently in place that does that (as of Nov2025)?

Thank you!

theducks · 12-01-2025, 04:29 PM

No and IIRC it was asked before.
But WHY?
If you configure the device driver format order for each. Calibre will convert on the fly, not even putting the copy in the Library. Your Library has the 'master' only.
The only time this might be a pain is if you are sending a really complex book that takes a bunch of time to crunch.

meghane_e · 12-02-2025, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

No and IIRC it was asked before.
But WHY?
If you configure the device driver format order for each. Calibre will convert on the fly, not even putting the copy in the Library. Your Library has the 'master' only.
The only time this might be a pain is if you are sending a really complex book that takes a bunch of time to crunch.

Sorry, I don't understand what you're explaining here.

Basically, I want all my books' primary format to be in ePub (except for PDF and comics obviously) and I side-load everything onto my Kindle, so basically all of my ePubs also need to be converted to AZW3. I want to have as little direct interaction with the Zon as possible and I do not want to send things through amazon.com/sendtokindle. Occasionally I have a small batch of AZW3 books to convert to EPUB. Because I don't do that as much I tend to forget to check them, which is why I would like it to be automated.

Does that make sense?

theducks · 12-02-2025, 05:07 PM

Calibre will do that ON THE FLY. EPUB->AZW3 is almost instant, so no need to pre-convert unless you want to edit the AZW3 BEFORE sending.

Just set the device driver with the formats in order. See image
Note Kindles do NOT have EPUB ticked. so it will auto convert to AZW3 (first on list).
Try it. It does work

meghane_e · 12-03-2025, 01:40 AM

Where is that window located (the image you posted)?
(Sorry for being slow here)

I did set the Preferences > Behavior
> Preferred Output Format: AZW3
> Preferred input format order: EPUB, AZW3

theducks · 12-03-2025, 08:07 AM

That is only available when the device is connected.
Configure device is on the Device View Icon

DNSB · 12-03-2025, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meghane_e

Where is that window located (the image you posted)?

You can also set it from the the customization options for the Kindle 2/3/4/etc. driver from Preferences => Plugins. See attached image.

meghane_e · Yesterday, 02:53 PM

Thank you both!! I prefer to check the Conversion formatting before transferring it to the eReader; that's why I like to have both formats stored. This functionality is good to know about though. If only I can remember this 3 years from now.

theducks · Yesterday, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

You can also set it from the the customization options for the Kindle 2/3/4/etc. driver from Preferences => Plugins. See attached image.

David. I think that location only applies BEFORE you ever connect a Kindle.
If you later look in the settings, you will see a saved version (and a matching JSON with the current config.
FWIW I did not see any specific Kindle model/serial in those files which might be an issue for different family members with Kindle2 types

meghane_e · Yesterday, 04:37 PM

For future reference:

In Add Books > Control the adding of books > Adding Actions, the option Automatically convert added books to the preferred output format will automatically convert the imported format to the output preference. I usually have that checked on. It must have gotten reset sometime in the last year.

The output preference can be set in Preferences > Change calibre behavior > Interface > Behavior.

But it would be nice to be able to set a primary and secondary output.

12-01-2025, 03:31 PM	#1
meghane_e Zealot Posts: 121 Karma: 38500 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Jose, CA Device: Kindle moving to Kobo or Boox	Automatically convert to multiple formats? I have Calibre set up to automatically convert files to EPUB, but I would like all of my incoming books to automatically try converting to two different formats, ie EPUB and AZW3. I'm ok, if the conversion fails. I would just like to make sure the attempt is made. [Edit: I do know how to do a broad manual search ie `format:EPUB and not format:AZW3`. Would just like to automate it a bit.] Is there anything currently in place that does that (as of Nov2025)? Thank you! Last edited by meghane_e; 12-01-2025 at 03:36 PM.

12-02-2025, 05:07 PM	#4
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,341 Karma: 62025226 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Calibre will do that ON THE FLY. EPUB->AZW3 is almost instant, so no need to pre-convert unless you want to edit the AZW3 BEFORE sending. Just set the device driver with the formats in order. See image Note Kindles do NOT have EPUB ticked. so it will auto convert to AZW3 (first on list). Try it. It does work Attached Thumbnails

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12-01-2025, 04:29 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,341 Karma: 62025226 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	No and IIRC it was asked before. But WHY? If you configure the device driver format order for each. Calibre will convert on the fly, not even putting the copy in the Library. Your Library has the 'master' only. The only time this might be a pain is if you are sending a really complex book that takes a bunch of time to crunch.

12-03-2025, 01:40 AM	#5
meghane_e Zealot Posts: 121 Karma: 38500 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Jose, CA Device: Kindle moving to Kobo or Boox	Where is that window located (the image you posted)? (Sorry for being slow here) I did set the Preferences > Behavior > Preferred Output Format: AZW3 > Preferred input format order: EPUB, AZW3

12-03-2025, 08:07 AM	#6
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,341 Karma: 62025226 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	That is only available when the device is connected. Configure device is on the Device View Icon

Yesterday, 02:53 PM	#8
meghane_e Zealot Posts: 121 Karma: 38500 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Jose, CA Device: Kindle moving to Kobo or Boox	Thank you both!! I prefer to check the Conversion formatting before transferring it to the eReader; that's why I like to have both formats stored. This functionality is good to know about though. If only I can remember this 3 years from now.

Yesterday, 04:37 PM	#10
meghane_e Zealot Posts: 121 Karma: 38500 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Jose, CA Device: Kindle moving to Kobo or Boox	For future reference: In Add Books > Control the adding of books > Adding Actions, the option Automatically convert added books to the preferred output format will automatically convert the imported format to the output preference. I usually have that checked on. It must have gotten reset sometime in the last year. The output preference can be set in Preferences > Change calibre behavior > Interface > Behavior. But it would be nice to be able to set a primary and secondary output.

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