[GUI Plugin] Multi-Column Search

[KyBunnies]

Originally Posted by DaltonST

Just like Calibre itself, how MCS is used depends entirely on how and what you are trying to do. After you decide on a specific goal, read the Original Post, view its attached images, read the User Guide, then read the exhaustive ToolTips of the various Tabs within MCS itself. Then play with it, since you must teach yourself how to use it to do whatever it is you want to do. You cannot hurt anything by playing with it.

DaltonST

I am trying to find duplicate copies of books across all my libraries. It would be nice if SOMEONE could provide a little more info on how to actually use this plugin.

[DaltonST]

I am trying to find duplicate copies of books across all my libraries.

MCS is not the proper tool for doing that. CALM is exactly the right tool for that job.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=265947


DaltonST

[Tanjamuse]

Is there any way I can set this search criteria as standard instead of author and title?

Thanks

[DaltonST]

Originally Posted by Tanjamuse

Is there any way I can set this search criteria as standard instead of author and title?

There are 2 types of Cross-Library Queries: CL Intra-Book and CL Duplicates. See the attached image.

MCS will automatically validate your parameters and tell you of any parameter errors when you click the "Save Criteria" button.

DaltonST

[taratears]

I'm trying to figure out how to use this to do a full text search, and am apparently doing something incorrectly. Could I be walked thru the process of doing this, please?

[DaltonST]

The ToolTips are quite detailed and explain everything. I have attached them below.

[Katja_hbg]

I try to see all books from an author when I mark at least one book of that author with 5 stars (my rating).
- intra book search with "all author books" does not work as search seems to work with text only
- intra book search (author left, my rating right with AND and =) does not show anything
- SELECT id FROM books WHERE id IN (SELECT id FROM custom_column_18 WHERE value = 5) while _18 is my rating normalized column does not show anything

So will this kind of search be possible and if so, please provide some guidance.
Thanks

[DaltonST]

Originally Posted by Katja_hbg

I try to see all books from an author when I mark at least one book of that author with 5 stars (my rating).

Katja:

See the attached image.


DaltonST

[Katja_hbg]

Thanks for your reply and help. It works now.

The tooltip did not help as I use rating with a custom column. Also that my column is offered in the drop down. Anyhow I got what I like with the SQL tab.

For those who like to copy and paste please find here my sql. Replace "18" with the proper number of your customn column as shown in the tooltip on your screen.

SELECT book FROM books_custom_column_18_link
WHERE value IN (SELECT id FROM custom_column_18 WHERE value >=10 )

[Tanjamuse]

How do I use the search in this screenshot in a single library instead of searching for duplicates in 2 libraries?

[DaltonST]

Originally Posted by Tanjamuse

How do I use the search in this screenshot in a single library instead of searching for duplicates in 2 libraries?

[1] Uncheck the "CL Duplicates" checkbox. The screen will reconfigure itself for an "Intra-Book Search".

[2] If you want to do an "Inter-Book Search", check the "Inter-Book Search" checkbox, and the screen will reconfigure itself for an "Inter-Book Search".

[3] For example scenarios, see the many images attached to the Original Post of this thread.

[4] Hover your mouse over each area and widget in the screen to read their respective ToolTips.

[5] Remember to "Save Parameters", which will also validate your settings and issue any error messages.



DaltonST

[Tanjamuse]

I Think I've done as you suggested (see attached image) but I get an error when I select: Execute Search [all books].

The error is:

calibre, version 3.6.0
ERROR: MCS: Cross-Library Duplicates Searches are never for 'All Books'.  Use 'Another Library [All Books]' instead.                                                                Execution Canceled.

[DaltonST]

You need to Save your criteria before clicking Execute. It thinks you still have "CL Duplicates" checked. As a last resort, Save, Exit, then rerun MCS. Your saved criteria will appear.

[Tanjamuse]

Is it library specific settings or all-around?

[DaltonST]

What you see applies to MCS regardless of what the current library is.