Troubleshooting How accurate is KDP viewer?

Philogger · 10-20-2019, 05:50 AM

Hello,
I'm formatting a book for kindle and it comes up exactly as I want on the KDP viewer and on my kindle when I send it to myself. But there are epub errors (about 10). Someone told me, it won't work when I publish it. But why not if it looks good on the viewer. Is that the point if it?
In advance,
Thanks
A

jhowell · 10-20-2019, 08:18 AM

Do you mean the online previewer or Kindle Previewer software? Both are pretty good but do not show how your book will look on the full range of Kindle apps and devices. That often does not matter as long as you are not doing anything tricky with your formatting.

The Kindle publishing platform ignores many things that are considered errors in EPUB, but also has its own restrictions beyond what EPUB allows. The number of errors is not significant. The exact nature of each error might be.

This question would fit better in the Kindle Formats forum.

Philogger · 10-20-2019, 08:52 AM

Thanks for your reply. Very helpful. It's amazing how many people can be rude on these forums when all i want is the information. Much appreciated.

My book is basic. No images. Just chapters. It looks good on Previewer and online and on my kindle too. So I'm hoping it will be OK.
Thanks

Dr. Drib · 10-20-2019, 10:30 AM

It's amazing how intolerant some folks can be when a member is trying to assist another member AND direct that member to a place where the replies may be more plentiful. The member also supplies a link to further assist you.

Philogger · 10-20-2019, 11:37 AM

That's why I was thanking him....

Deskisamess · 10-20-2019, 11:49 AM

So, if this is an ignorant question, please tell me. But isn't the KDP process strictly for Kindle formats? How does ePub enter in this process?

Philogger · 10-20-2019, 01:34 PM

Because you can upload ePub to KDP

Deskisamess · 10-20-2019, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philogger

Because you can upload ePub to KDP

Ah. I was thinking output only.

Quoth · 10-21-2019, 04:10 AM

I convert wordprocessor to epub2 first. Some people swear by Sigil, I use Calibre via docx. The Kindle Creator is stupidly limited in styles for headings and breaks.

I then upload epub2 to Amazon when I have checked that dual mobi and azw3/KF8 are OK.

This seems foolproof. Otherwise I was getting epub errors that Kindles don't care about and seeing font not quite right on first paragraph style on old mobi and KF8.

I can use the daisy epub check if in doubt. Also Smashwords picks up errors that Amazon ignores.

I found the KDP viewer a waste of time.

10-20-2019, 05:50 AM	#1
Philogger Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: Kindle	How accurate is KDP viewer? Hello, I'm formatting a book for kindle and it comes up exactly as I want on the KDP viewer and on my kindle when I send it to myself. But there are epub errors (about 10). Someone told me, it won't work when I publish it. But why not if it looks good on the viewer. Is that the point if it? In advance, Thanks A

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10-20-2019, 08:18 AM	#2
jhowell Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,496 Karma: 84420419 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tampa Bay, Florida Device: Kindles	Do you mean the online previewer or Kindle Previewer software? Both are pretty good but do not show how your book will look on the full range of Kindle apps and devices. That often does not matter as long as you are not doing anything tricky with your formatting. The Kindle publishing platform ignores many things that are considered errors in EPUB, but also has its own restrictions beyond what EPUB allows. The number of errors is not significant. The exact nature of each error might be. This question would fit better in the Kindle Formats forum.

10-20-2019, 08:52 AM	#3
Philogger Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: Kindle	Thanks for your reply. Very helpful. It's amazing how many people can be rude on these forums when all i want is the information. Much appreciated. My book is basic. No images. Just chapters. It looks good on Previewer and online and on my kindle too. So I'm hoping it will be OK. Thanks

10-20-2019, 10:30 AM	#4
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,736 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	It's amazing how intolerant some folks can be when a member is trying to assist another member AND direct that member to a place where the replies may be more plentiful. The member also supplies a link to further assist you.

10-20-2019, 11:37 AM	#5
Philogger Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: Kindle	That's why I was thanking him....

10-20-2019, 11:49 AM	#6
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,607 Karma: 42697471 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 7+, iPad mini, 2021 iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8"	So, if this is an ignorant question, please tell me. But isn't the KDP process strictly for Kindle formats? How does ePub enter in this process?

10-20-2019, 01:34 PM	#7
Philogger Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2019 Device: Kindle	Because you can upload ePub to KDP

10-21-2019, 04:10 AM	#9
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,080 Karma: 85874891 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	I convert wordprocessor to epub2 first. Some people swear by Sigil, I use Calibre via docx. The Kindle Creator is stupidly limited in styles for headings and breaks. I then upload epub2 to Amazon when I have checked that dual mobi and azw3/KF8 are OK. This seems foolproof. Otherwise I was getting epub errors that Kindles don't care about and seeing font not quite right on first paragraph style on old mobi and KF8. I can use the daisy epub check if in doubt. Also Smashwords picks up errors that Amazon ignores. I found the KDP viewer a waste of time.

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