HTML to MOBI. How to create book "start" location?

tehmac · 08-21-2012, 10:17 AM

Hello. I have an issue I hope you can help me with.

I've created a perfect HTML version of my ebook using Guido Henkel's instructions for formatting (and it does work perfectly in MOBI format), but I need to include the information to tell the Kindle where to look for the beginning of the book. Right now, it automatically goes to my table of contents instead of Chapter 1.

Now, I've read plenty about inserting the information into the <guide> section of the OPF file. But the problem is, I don't convert from ePUB to MOBI. I just put the HTML file into Calibre and convert that to MOBI, and it's perfect.

Is there a way I can tell it to choose a start location without going via ePUBs?

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding how to do this?

Many thanks.

kovidgoyal · 08-21-2012, 10:34 AM

There's no way. You have to use an epub with the appropriate info in <guide>.

tehmac · 08-21-2012, 10:48 AM

I'm wary of converting HTML to ePUB, then ePUB to MOBI. What differences in formatting might I encounter between various devices with the resulting MOBI file after going via ePUB, rather than with a pure MOBI from HTML file?

Hoyt Clagwell · 08-21-2012, 11:59 AM

I know if you use MobiPocket Creator you can tell where you want the book to be open. There is a tutorial document at this thread:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17914

JSWolf · 08-21-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoyt Clagwell

I know if you use MobiPocket Creator you can tell where you want the book to be open. There is a tutorial document at this thread:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17914

Unless you modify Mobipocket Creator, it may not work properly with a Windows system that has IE9 installed. There is a thread about it someplace on MR.

08-21-2012, 10:17 AM	#1
tehmac Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Kindle	HTML to MOBI. How to create book "start" location? Hello. I have an issue I hope you can help me with. I've created a perfect HTML version of my ebook using Guido Henkel's instructions for formatting (and it does work perfectly in MOBI format), but I need to include the information to tell the Kindle where to look for the beginning of the book. Right now, it automatically goes to my table of contents instead of Chapter 1. Now, I've read plenty about inserting the information into the <guide> section of the OPF file. But the problem is, I don't convert from ePUB to MOBI. I just put the HTML file into Calibre and convert that to MOBI, and it's perfect. Is there a way I can tell it to choose a start location without going via ePUBs? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding how to do this? Many thanks. Last edited by tehmac; 08-21-2012 at 10:22 AM.

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08-21-2012, 10:34 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,856 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	There's no way. You have to use an epub with the appropriate info in <guide>.

08-21-2012, 10:48 AM	#3
tehmac Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Kindle	I'm wary of converting HTML to ePUB, then ePUB to MOBI. What differences in formatting might I encounter between various devices with the resulting MOBI file after going via ePUB, rather than with a pure MOBI from HTML file?

08-21-2012, 11:59 AM	#4
Hoyt Clagwell Not an Addict Posts: 301 Karma: 5678807 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: The blue one next to the fish.	I know if you use MobiPocket Creator you can tell where you want the book to be open. There is a tutorial document at this thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17914

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