Format Column Doesn't Sort

[ThatOneThere]

I feel like I'm going a little crazy. I know that I used to be able to sort my library by format using the default column. But now I can't. It makes it really annoying to find all the formats I'm looking for to convert. I swear I used to be able to sort via Ascending and Descending.

Have I completely lost my mind here?

[theducks]

Formats is not a default column
You can find if you have a specific one or none (formats:false)
Or find your missing Target type.

not formats:AZW3

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by ThatOneThere

I feel like I'm going a little crazy. I know that I used to be able to sort my library by format using the default column. But now I can't. It makes it really annoying to find all the formats I'm looking for to convert. I swear I used to be able to sort via Ascending and Descending.

Have I completely lost my mind here?

RU sure it was the base Formats/formats column, AFAIK that cannot be a column in the book list, and its not available in the Sort by tool.

There's a Custom column helper for 'Formats' in Add your own columns that uses the approximate_formats template, it's sortable, viz:



The Lookup and Header names are 'custom' names..

BR

[CAIArchive]

I have always sorted on Formats column by using the tag browser layout and selecting the format I wanted, which equates to the following in the search bar: formats:"insert format here keep the quotes" for example: formats:"epub"

if you dont see it in tag browser layout go to, settings -> look & feel -> tag browser -> Display -> make sure Formats(formats) is checked

[theducks]

Originally Posted by CAIArchive

I have always sorted on Formats column by using the tag browser layout and selecting the format I wanted, which equates to the following in the search bar: formats:"insert format here keep the quotes" for example: formats:"epub"

if you dont see it in tag browser layout go to, settings -> look & feel -> tag browser -> Display -> make sure Formats(formats) is checked

I would call that 'filtering' as well as any use of the search bar (inc via the tag browser)

Sorting is Ordering: 1,2,3 or A,B,C or AZW3, EPUB, MOBI . The latter is only done from a custom column (Mine is #masterformat. A single value)

[ThatOneThere]

I'll be honest, I don't know what 99% of everyone said even means. I have only ever used one custom column. I don't even use plug-ins. I basically use Calibre in its simplest form. But I do remember I used to be able to click on Format and it would sort them. I've never used the tag window. Couldn't even begin to know how. I edit each book I have individually to my exact preferences.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by ThatOneThere

I'll be honest, I don't know what 99% of everyone said even means. I have only ever used one custom column. I don't even use plug-ins. I basically use Calibre in its simplest form. But I do remember I used to be able to click on Format and it would sort them. I've never used the tag window. Couldn't even begin to know how. I edit each book I have individually to my exact preferences.

AFAIK there is no Standard (default) place you could do a sort on formats. Sorts are by column header (a up or down arrow shows when active)
Not in the details.
The tag browser is a filter (only show those with format X)

[BetterRed]

@ThatOneThere - How long have you been using calibre?

I've been using it since Q1 2012. The baseline formats/Formats column has never been available in the book list. However the helper for a custom #formats/Formats column, has always been there, and it is sortable, by clicking on the Header name in the book list viz:



Version 0.8.10 was released in July 2011.

BR

[thiago.eec]

Well, I do have a 'Formats' column available. And it is not a custom column.

[CAIArchive]

Originally Posted by ThatOneThere

I'll be honest, I don't know what 99% of everyone said even means. I have only ever used one custom column. I don't even use plug-ins. I basically use Calibre in its simplest form. But I do remember I used to be able to click on Format and it would sort them. I've never used the tag window. Couldn't even begin to know how. I edit each book I have individually to my exact preferences.

quick question(s) - what os are you using? which version of calibre? is your calibre on a local drive (not a cloud drive ie google/dropbox/nas)? and can you clarify what calibre is doing when you click the formats header?

as for the original issue, you are correct you should be able to click the header that says Formats on the library view that looks like a spreadsheet, and it should sort based on that information. for clarification it should group all epubs together either ascending or descending based on your file type (epub, pdf, azw, doc, etc).

[theducks]

Originally Posted by thiago.eec

Well, I do have a 'Formats' column available. And it is not a custom column.

I wonder when (Calibre version) that was added. In THIS case, the OP need only SHOW the column , so they can sort.
Note: This DOES NOT appear on the Sort By context menu list (what I mainly use for non-visible / hidden columns, thus my lack of knowing it had been added )

[kovidgoyal]

Formats, are not meant to be sorted on. There is no reasonable use case for sorting by them. If you want to see all books that have a particular format, simply click on that format in the tag browser to the left.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by theducks

I wonder when (Calibre version) that was added.

It wasn't in 5.44, it is in 6.29 - so version 6.something.

Because I use View Manager I never noticed it in Add your own columns either, I tend not to see base columns in there.

Originally Posted by theducks

In THIS case, the OP need only SHOW the column , so they can sort.

Nope, doesn't work. Nor does it work as Sort column in View Manager. I guess that's why it doesn't appear in Sort By tool.

Originally Posted by theducks

Note: This DOES NOT appear on the Sort By context menu list (what I mainly use for non-visible / hidden columns, thus my lack of knowing it had been added )

If you create a custom column using the Quick create->Format in Add your own columns->Add, you can sort on that column, viz:



Interestingly, when you do that, if the base Formats column is shown, then it will get sorted too

BR