How to correct odd, unwanted characters in an epub?

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Third time is the charm! I once again copied the original and did nothing but apply the modify epub (utf-8 encoding), as jackie_w suggested. It worked!! Thank you, jackie_w. In this case, it accomplished the shortcut to Jon's suggestion.

I'm glad you got it sorted out.

For future reference. If you were adding the original ebook to calibre as a html file then the coding was screwed up on adding the file. In which case the code needs to be fixed in the html prior to adding or the code set in Preferences - Plugins - File type plugins - HTML to ZIP plugin as explained here in section 2 (see attached.)

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

I'm glad you got it sorted out.

For future reference. If you were adding the original ebook to calibre as a html file then the coding was screwed up on adding the file. In which case the code needs to be fixed in the html prior to adding or the code set in Preferences - Plugins - File type plugins - HTML to ZIP plugin as explained here in section 2 (see attached.)

Thank you, Walt -- that's very helpful when working with an html file. Apparently it was screwed up in the original (epub)but I am not knowledgeable enough to know what is wrong/missing simply by looking at the CSS.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Thank you, Walt -- that's very helpful when working with an html file. Apparently it was screwed up in the original (epub)but I am not knowledgeable enough to know what is wrong/missing simply by looking at the CSS.

Character encoding is not controlled by the CSS

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by theducks

Character encoding is not controlled by the CSS

Thank you for the correction. As mentioned, I know little when it comes to stylesheets -- I am grateful for the many helpful MR contributors.

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

Using the Modify Epub plugin, with the option Encode HTML in UTF-8 checked usually works for me.

I had another book this happened to today and your solution worked perfect. I need to save this info for when it happens again, it happens so rarely, I'm sure I'll forget how to do it the next time .

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

... I'm sure I'll forget how to do it the next time .

I just avoid this problem by running Modify Epub (with my standard list of checked items) for every new epub I add to calibre. I always want the cover changed to a calibre-type cover anyway, so may as well do the rest at the same time. The best thing about the plugin is that it only makes changes if they're needed.

Glad it helped, anyway