Space not highlighted before italics on Kobo Libra Colour

Kriemfield · 03-14-2026, 08:58 AM

When I highlight a sentence with some italics on my Kobo Libra Colour, the space before the word in italics doesn't get highlighted. I use a plugin to convert automatically to kepub upon sideloading. Here is an example of the guilty structure:

Code:

The</span> <em class="calibre6">Roci</em><span> might be a decade or two past her sell-by date

I had already mentioned a similar issue a few months ago, it was solved for some time, but reading another book recently, it reappeared differently. It is probably because the structure is slightly different. Previously, it wasn't highlighting before and after the italics, but it looks like it depends on the various ways the code can be done in the epub. So now it highlights correctly after, but not before.
To me, the most obvious reason is the fact there is a space between the "</span>" and the "<em class="calibre6">".
I am currently reading a paperback book, so I haven't tested on more epubs, but I got it on a few ones from the same series of ebooks, probably due to the fact they are from the same publisher.
If there is a way to solve that issue without too much hassle, I would be very pleased, thanks!

JSWolf · 03-14-2026, 09:04 AM

There's an option in calibre's Preferences to have KePub look better vs highlighting look better.

Preferences > Output options > KEPUB output Select or not Prefer improved text justification to proper highlighting.

kovidgoyal · 03-14-2026, 09:09 AM

THere isnt thisis a limitation of the kepub renderer in kobos. You can improve the situation via Preferences->Output options->KEPUB output->Prefer improved justification to highlighting (make sure it is off)

Kriemfield · 03-14-2026, 09:16 AM

Just checked it: "Prefer improved justification to highlighting" is off in my settings.

kovidgoyal · 03-14-2026, 09:20 AM

Then that's the best you are going to get.

Kriemfield · 03-14-2026, 09:28 AM

Okay. I did another test on the next book from the same collection, it highlights normally, no spaces before nor after the italics. So it is probably the two previous epubs trolling me for whatever reasons lol. Thanks for the help!

03-14-2026, 08:58 AM	#1
Kriemfield Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kobo Libra Colour	Space not highlighted before italics on Kobo Libra Colour When I highlight a sentence with some italics on my Kobo Libra Colour, the space before the word in italics doesn't get highlighted. I use a plugin to convert automatically to kepub upon sideloading. Here is an example of the guilty structure: Code: The</span> <em class="calibre6">Roci</em><span> might be a decade or two past her sell-by date I had already mentioned a similar issue a few months ago, it was solved for some time, but reading another book recently, it reappeared differently. It is probably because the structure is slightly different. Previously, it wasn't highlighting before and after the italics, but it looks like it depends on the various ways the code can be done in the epub. So now it highlights correctly after, but not before. To me, the most obvious reason is the fact there is a space between the "</span>" and the "<em class="calibre6">". I am currently reading a paperback book, so I haven't tested on more epubs, but I got it on a few ones from the same series of ebooks, probably due to the fact they are from the same publisher. If there is a way to solve that issue without too much hassle, I would be very pleased, thanks!

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03-14-2026, 09:04 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 82,446 Karma: 151278869 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There's an option in calibre's Preferences to have KePub look better vs highlighting look better. Preferences > Output options > KEPUB output Select or not Prefer improved text justification to proper highlighting.

03-14-2026, 09:09 AM	#3
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 46,091 Karma: 29579912 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	THere isnt thisis a limitation of the kepub renderer in kobos. You can improve the situation via Preferences->Output options->KEPUB output->Prefer improved justification to highlighting (make sure it is off)

03-14-2026, 09:16 AM	#4
Kriemfield Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kobo Libra Colour	Just checked it: "Prefer improved justification to highlighting" is off in my settings.

03-14-2026, 09:20 AM	#5
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 46,091 Karma: 29579912 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Then that's the best you are going to get.

03-14-2026, 09:28 AM	#6
Kriemfield Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kobo Libra Colour	Okay. I did another test on the next book from the same collection, it highlights normally, no spaces before nor after the italics. So it is probably the two previous epubs trolling me for whatever reasons lol. Thanks for the help!