How to generate NCX table of contents when importing books

dunxd · 04-19-2023, 12:22 PM

I have setup Calibre to convert added books to EPub format. However, I notice that this does not create a NCX ToC in the books, which is creating some issues in another project I am working on.

When I click Edit ToC for a book, and then click Ok, the NCX file is created in the EPub and the EPub then works in my project.

I would like NCX creation to happen automatically when converting to EPub, but I am not sure which option (if any) will do this. Can anyone help?

theducks · 04-19-2023, 01:04 PM

NCX is required for epub2.
BUT
there may not be any entries other than start.
Conversion takes the input and converts.
No identifiable TOC (coded links) in the source and there will probably not be any entries. Just because there is a page that says Contents on it, does not make it one to conversions (or the device).

In those cases, a Human (you

) will be needed. You can add the Calibre TOC tool to your toolbar. This edits only the TOC of EPUB or AZW3

dunxd · 04-19-2023, 01:19 PM

I don't think I have been understood.

Yes, I am aware that I can use the TOC tool to create and edit ToCs. However, I note that when conversion to EPub happens, no ncx file is created. Only nav.xhtml is created.

If I click on the TOC tool for this book, and then immediately click Ok, tox.ncx file is created. Great, but I need to remember to do that for all my books!

My question, is there a setting that will do this automatically when converting to EPub format, so that I don't have an extra step every time?

dunxd · 04-19-2023, 01:28 PM

Ok, if I use EPub v2 then a toc.ncx file is included after conversion. If I use EPub v3 then nax.xhtml file is included instead. When clicking the Edit ToC button and clicking ok, the tox.ncx is added. It is not required in EPub v3, but according to https://idpf.org/epub/30/spec/epub30...cx-superseded:

Quote:

EPUB 3 Publications may include an NCX (as defined in OPF 2.0.1) for EPUB 2 Reading System forwards compatibility purposes

I would like to do this when converting to EPub v3 docs - is there a way to make this happen in Calibre?

readx · 04-19-2023, 02:34 PM

Set the Output options to epub 2 and not 3 and you will be fine

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JSWolf · 04-19-2023, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by readx

Set the Output options to epub 2 and not 3 and you will be fine
Attachment 201139

But if the OP wants ePub 3, then the OP won't be fine.

theducks · 04-19-2023, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But if the OP wants ePub 3, then the OP won't be fine.

Then they don't need a NCX

dunxd · 04-19-2023, 06:18 PM

I want EPub 3 files that contain NCX for backwards compatibility. That is allowed in the format, but not required. In the O'Reilly book EPub 3 Best Practices, the authors say:

Quote:

In order to enable an EPUB 3 to be rendered by an EPUB 2 reading system, it has to include an NCX even though it also has to have a nav to conform to EPUB 3. Until EPUB 2 reading systems have become obsolete (no sign of that in the near future), publishers generally need to include both.

It's fine to tell me that getting this automatically included in conversions isn't currently possible in Calibre. I haven't been able to find an option to enable it - but there are a lot of places to find options...

ps67 · 04-21-2023, 03:22 AM

You can convert a a EPUB 2 into EPUB3 from Inside the editor:

Tools > Upgrade book internals.

It will ask You if You want to keep or remove the NCX index .

dunxd · 04-21-2023, 02:30 PM

That is fine for one by one occasional conversions - I'm looking for a way to do it automatically when importing books from various different formats.

dunxd · 06-08-2023, 11:41 AM

So why the inconsistency?

When I convert to ePub v3 manually as mentioned in the previous post, I have an option to keep or discard the NCX.
When I edit the ToC of an ePub v3 file an NCX file is created without me taking any other action.

When I set Calibre to convert to ePub v3 on import, no NCX is created and I can not find anywhere to change this behaviour.

kovidgoyal · 06-08-2023, 12:20 PM

Why do you want to do this in bulk? There is no widely used EPUB 2 reader that needs it as far as I know and if there was one, you would be better of just using EPUB 2 in the first place.

gbm · 06-08-2023, 12:59 PM

Open your epub3 ebook using the calibre editor. Under tools click Table of Contents--then edit Table of Contents If the toc looks correct then click ok. You will now have a toc.ncx file.

bernie

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunxd

I have setup Calibre to convert added books to EPub format. However, I notice that this does not create a NCX ToC in the books, which is creating some issues in another project I am working on.

When I click Edit ToC for a book, and then click Ok, the NCX file is created in the EPub and the EPub then works in my project.

I would like NCX creation to happen automatically when converting to EPub, but I am not sure which option (if any) will do this. Can anyone help?

dunxd · 06-08-2023, 05:32 PM

Not in bulk per se - I just don't want to have to do this manually each time I import one or more books.

Sure, I could use ePub v2 instead. Are you saying this is very hard to implement?

kovidgoyal · 06-08-2023, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunxd

Not in bulk per se - I just don't want to have to do this manually each time I import one or more books.

Sure, I could use ePub v2 instead. Are you saying this is very hard to implement?

I am saying there is no point implementing it. There is no situation I know of where you need to use NCX + epub 3 where simply using epub 2 is not better. The actual content in an epub produced via conversion is identical regardless of epub 2/3.

04-19-2023, 12:22 PM	#1
dunxd Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2022 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation	How to generate NCX table of contents when importing books I have setup Calibre to convert added books to EPub format. However, I notice that this does not create a NCX ToC in the books, which is creating some issues in another project I am working on. When I click Edit ToC for a book, and then click Ok, the NCX file is created in the EPub and the EPub then works in my project. I would like NCX creation to happen automatically when converting to EPub, but I am not sure which option (if any) will do this. Can anyone help?

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04-19-2023, 01:04 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,114 Karma: 53500872 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	NCX is required for epub2. BUT there may not be any entries other than start. Conversion takes the input and converts. No identifiable TOC (coded links) in the source and there will probably not be any entries. Just because there is a page that says Contents on it, does not make it one to conversions (or the device). In those cases, a Human (you ) will be needed. You can add the Calibre TOC tool to your toolbar. This edits only the TOC of EPUB or AZW3

04-19-2023, 01:19 PM	#3
dunxd Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2022 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation	I don't think I have been understood. Yes, I am aware that I can use the TOC tool to create and edit ToCs. However, I note that when conversion to EPub happens, no ncx file is created. Only nav.xhtml is created. If I click on the TOC tool for this book, and then immediately click Ok, tox.ncx file is created. Great, but I need to remember to do that for all my books! My question, is there a setting that will do this automatically when converting to EPub format, so that I don't have an extra step every time?

04-19-2023, 02:34 PM	#5
readx Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 118402 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Cybook Gen3	Set the Output options to epub 2 and not 3 and you will be fine

04-21-2023, 03:22 AM	#9
ps67 Guru Posts: 724 Karma: 7000000 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Italy Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Elipsa, Pocketbook Color PB633, Inkpad Color	You can convert a a EPUB 2 into EPUB3 from Inside the editor: Tools > Upgrade book internals. It will ask You if You want to keep or remove the NCX index .

04-21-2023, 02:30 PM	#10
dunxd Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2022 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation	That is fine for one by one occasional conversions - I'm looking for a way to do it automatically when importing books from various different formats.

06-08-2023, 11:41 AM	#11
dunxd Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2022 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation	So why the inconsistency? When I convert to ePub v3 manually as mentioned in the previous post, I have an option to keep or discard the NCX. When I edit the ToC of an ePub v3 file an NCX file is created without me taking any other action. When I set Calibre to convert to ePub v3 on import, no NCX is created and I can not find anywhere to change this behaviour.

06-08-2023, 12:20 PM	#12
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 42,991 Karma: 20900374 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Why do you want to do this in bulk? There is no widely used EPUB 2 reader that needs it as far as I know and if there was one, you would be better of just using EPUB 2 in the first place.

06-08-2023, 05:32 PM	#14
dunxd Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2022 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation	Not in bulk per se - I just don't want to have to do this manually each time I import one or more books. Sure, I could use ePub v2 instead. Are you saying this is very hard to implement?

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