Been away for a few releases...question about custom columns support

texasnightowl · 10-14-2010, 02:47 AM

I haven't been away that long, but since Kovid updates Calibre so frequently it is easy to fall behind!

So I know that recently there have been many changes to better support custom columns as well as furthering support for multiple libraries.

My specific question is this: Is there as yet an easy way (ie. click a button) to have your custom columns applied to any new library you create?

Right now, all my books are in 1 library. My "Main" library. There are some that I would like to move into a secondary library. But I want to keep my custom columns. When I last checked in several versions ago, the answer was to create the new library (empty) and manually create the custom columns to match before copying/moving the books. Is this still the case? Or have any of the programming geniuses who contribute to Calibre (and I am definitely not any sort of programming genius) devised/added a method to "copy" your custom columns to a new library?

chaley · 10-14-2010, 03:50 AM

If I understand the question, then the answer is still 'no'. The destination library must have the custom columns before you do the copy. Copying/moving a book will not create them.

There isn't any straightforward way to clone one library's custom column configuration onto another. There are non-straightforward ways, such by library cloning (messing with the metadata.db file) and using the new recovery mechanisms. All of them can easily destroy a library, so I don't want to get into too many details.

Perkin · 10-14-2010, 05:02 AM

I recently decided to split my main library in to 3 sub libraries.

I made 3 full copies of the library folder, including all sub-folders/metadata etc. renamed each of the main folders to better names.

Loaded up calibre, pointed to one of the new sub-libraries, then deleted all the books I didn't want it that library, repeated with the other two.

All the columns etc were copied.

Was easier than setting up 3 seperate libraries then copying/moving the books from the main library.

texasnightowl · 10-14-2010, 09:48 AM

Thanks for responding Chaley and Perkin. Definitely don't want to take any chance of messing up my library (though it is backed up of course).

Perkin - It does sound like your method would work great! Temporary hit on my drive for storage space until I get the books I don't want in the 2nd library deleted, but I could live with that. Thanks for the suggestion.

10-14-2010, 02:47 AM	#1
texasnightowl Guru Posts: 699 Karma: 1001556 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Device: Oasis 3, K4B(NT), K3/KK	Been away for a few releases...question about custom columns support I haven't been away that long, but since Kovid updates Calibre so frequently it is easy to fall behind! So I know that recently there have been many changes to better support custom columns as well as furthering support for multiple libraries. My specific question is this: Is there as yet an easy way (ie. click a button) to have your custom columns applied to any new library you create? Right now, all my books are in 1 library. My "Main" library. There are some that I would like to move into a secondary library. But I want to keep my custom columns. When I last checked in several versions ago, the answer was to create the new library (empty) and manually create the custom columns to match before copying/moving the books. Is this still the case? Or have any of the programming geniuses who contribute to Calibre (and I am definitely not any sort of programming genius) devised/added a method to "copy" your custom columns to a new library?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Curious - what custom columns are you creating/using?	texasnightowl	Calibre	16	05-28-2015 10:26 AM
Query re: Custom columns & multiple libraries	jackie_w	Calibre	4	10-03-2010 02:16 AM
Custom Columns - the Future?	Starson17	Calibre	2	07-13-2010 09:56 AM
Testers wanted for 'series' custom columns	chaley	Calibre	15	06-26-2010 08:43 AM
Creating custom columns is broken in 0.7.3	chaley	Calibre	6	06-20-2010 03:40 AM

10-14-2010, 03:50 AM	#2
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,948 Karma: 7225107 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	If I understand the question, then the answer is still 'no'. The destination library must have the custom columns before you do the copy. Copying/moving a book will not create them. There isn't any straightforward way to clone one library's custom column configuration onto another. There are non-straightforward ways, such by library cloning (messing with the metadata.db file) and using the new recovery mechanisms. All of them can easily destroy a library, so I don't want to get into too many details.

10-14-2010, 05:02 AM	#3
Perkin Guru Posts: 657 Karma: 64171 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kent, England, Sol 3, ZZ9 plural Z Alpha Device: Sony PRS-300, Kobo Aura HD, iPad (Marvin)	I recently decided to split my main library in to 3 sub libraries. I made 3 full copies of the library folder, including all sub-folders/metadata etc. renamed each of the main folders to better names. Loaded up calibre, pointed to one of the new sub-libraries, then deleted all the books I didn't want it that library, repeated with the other two. All the columns etc were copied. Was easier than setting up 3 seperate libraries then copying/moving the books from the main library.

10-14-2010, 09:48 AM	#4
texasnightowl Guru Posts: 699 Karma: 1001556 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Device: Oasis 3, K4B(NT), K3/KK	Thanks for responding Chaley and Perkin. Definitely don't want to take any chance of messing up my library (though it is backed up of course). Perkin - It does sound like your method would work great! Temporary hit on my drive for storage space until I get the books I don't want in the 2nd library deleted, but I could live with that. Thanks for the suggestion.

Advert