Replace book that is already in the library

jgould1981 · 02-16-2024, 07:54 PM

I have a bunch of books that I've downloaded from AO3 that are still being worked on by their authors. One of them had a new chapter added to it today, so I downloaded the AZW3 file (Reading on a Kindle) and added the newest book with the newest chapter to my library. Calibre did the standard "This book already exists, do you want to add this?" I did, and then I went and opened the book in the viewer to verify that it had the newest chapter.

It didn't... It created a new record with the book in the library.

I have set 'Auto Merge added books if they already exist' to "Overwrite" as well as Ignore with the same result on both options. The new file created a new entry in the library, regardless of the settings I have chosen.

Is there a way to have Calibre replace the existing file upon adding a book with the same name and information to the library?

theducks · 02-16-2024, 09:52 PM

There may be a subtle difference.
Instead of Add. You could open the MDE (metadata Editor) And drop the book into the formats section.

This does NOT check you are dropping the correct book, so be sure

Karellen · 02-16-2024, 10:07 PM

Or you could just bypass Calibre (I know not recommended) and replase the existing file with the new file. Calibre won't know its not the same book.

BetterRed · 02-16-2024, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karellen

Or you could just bypass Calibre (I know not recommended) and replase the existing file with the new file. Calibre won't know its not the same book.

It's not recommended because if the library has FTS enabled then replacing the format through the back door won't regen the FTS index. I'm not sure about extracting embedded metadata.

The simplest legitimate ways to add/replace a format file for an existing book are:

drag/drop the format file into the book's Book details panel
copy the format file to the clipboard (via Ctrl+C), and then use the Add books->Add files to selected book records from clipboard action (via a shortcut makes it easier - I use Shift+Ctrl+V)

BR

Karellen · 02-16-2024, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

It's not recommended because if the library has FTS enabled then replacing the format through the back door won't regen the FTS index.
BR

I don't use it, so didn't think of that scenario.
Thanks.

theducks · 02-17-2024, 09:17 AM

And whatever IS causing the issue, is not adjusted (file name is now Calibre standard) as when you drop.
Simple: Avoid outside back doors whenever possible. Calibre does a lot to make things just work.

02-16-2024, 07:54 PM	#1
jgould1981 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Ohio, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10th Gen	Replace book that is already in the library I have a bunch of books that I've downloaded from AO3 that are still being worked on by their authors. One of them had a new chapter added to it today, so I downloaded the AZW3 file (Reading on a Kindle) and added the newest book with the newest chapter to my library. Calibre did the standard "This book already exists, do you want to add this?" I did, and then I went and opened the book in the viewer to verify that it had the newest chapter. It didn't... It created a new record with the book in the library. I have set 'Auto Merge added books if they already exist' to "Overwrite" as well as Ignore with the same result on both options. The new file created a new entry in the library, regardless of the settings I have chosen. Is there a way to have Calibre replace the existing file upon adding a book with the same name and information to the library?

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02-16-2024, 09:52 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,809 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	There may be a subtle difference. Instead of Add. You could open the MDE (metadata Editor) And drop the book into the formats section. This does NOT check you are dropping the correct book, so be sure

02-16-2024, 10:07 PM	#3
Karellen Wizard Posts: 1,103 Karma: 4911876 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2	Or you could just bypass Calibre (I know not recommended) and replase the existing file with the new file. Calibre won't know its not the same book.

02-17-2024, 09:17 AM	#6
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,809 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	And whatever IS causing the issue, is not adjusted (file name is now Calibre standard) as when you drop. Simple: Avoid outside back doors whenever possible. Calibre does a lot to make things just work.