Flattening folder structure in Calibre Library and on Kobo device?

Vanguard3000 · 12-05-2022, 05:16 PM

Hi,

I've long been sideloading my epub collection between a version-controlled folder and my Kobo devices, using Calibre only for editing metadata and conversion jobs, and have always kept the folder structure flat for easy readability/searchability/etc-ability. So, my library folder would look like:

Code:

library/.git
library/booka.epub
library/bookb.epub
[etc]

I'm experimenting now with (finally) using Calibre to maintain a Library and send to my devices, but I notice the Calibre library structures are nested in folders, so the average file is as:

Code:

library/authora/booka/booka.epub
library/authora/bookb/bookb.epub
library/authorb/bookc/bookc.epub
[etc]

I'd rather it just be a flat structure. Similarly, on my Kobo device, I used to sideload books in a single "G:/books" folder, but now the sync'd books are in the root folder, but within author and book folders. I'd ideally like them to remain flattened in the "books" folder if possible.

It's very possible I'm missing an obvious option here, but is there a way to determine how Calibre saves its library structure, and how it sends to device? Thanks in advance.

gbm · 12-05-2022, 06:21 PM

Read the Sticky:
Want to change folder structure or file names in the Calibre library?

bernie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanguard3000

Hi,

I've long been sideloading my epub collection between a version-controlled folder and my Kobo devices, using Calibre only for editing metadata and conversion jobs, and have always kept the folder structure flat for easy readability/searchability/etc-ability. So, my library folder would look like:

Code:

library/.git
library/booka.epub
library/bookb.epub
[etc]

I'm experimenting now with (finally) using Calibre to maintain a Library and send to my devices, but I notice the Calibre library structures are nested in folders, so the average file is as:

Code:

library/authora/booka/booka.epub
library/authora/bookb/bookb.epub
library/authorb/bookc/bookc.epub
[etc]

I'd rather it just be a flat structure. Similarly, on my Kobo device, I used to sideload books in a single "G:/books" folder, but now the sync'd books are in the root folder, but within author and book folders. I'd ideally like them to remain flattened in the "books" folder if possible.

It's very possible I'm missing an obvious option here, but is there a way to determine how Calibre saves its library structure, and how it sends to device? Thanks in advance.

BetterRed · 12-05-2022, 06:34 PM

Don't concern yourself with the library folder structure, it's largely irrelevant, see ==>> Why doesn’t calibre let me store books in my own folder structure?

Then see Send to Device here ==>> The Graphical User Interface: Actions

BR

Vanguard3000 · 12-08-2022, 04:33 PM

Ok, I was able to flatten the structure and put all books in one folder on my device, which is good. I guess I'll just deal with them being in a concrete structure in the Calibre Library. I'll get used to it. Thanks, all!

Quoth · 12-08-2022, 05:25 PM

Note with Fat32 you might run out of space for file names with a totally flat all ebooks in root.

JSWolf · 12-08-2022, 06:04 PM

I have a folder called books and that's where I stick my books. I don't use the root.

12-05-2022, 05:16 PM	#1
Vanguard3000 Groupie Posts: 152 Karma: 474196 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ottawa Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Flattening folder structure in Calibre Library and on Kobo device? Hi, I've long been sideloading my epub collection between a version-controlled folder and my Kobo devices, using Calibre only for editing metadata and conversion jobs, and have always kept the folder structure flat for easy readability/searchability/etc-ability. So, my library folder would look like: Code: library/.git library/booka.epub library/bookb.epub [etc] I'm experimenting now with (finally) using Calibre to maintain a Library and send to my devices, but I notice the Calibre library structures are nested in folders, so the average file is as: Code: library/authora/booka/booka.epub library/authora/bookb/bookb.epub library/authorb/bookc/bookc.epub [etc] I'd rather it just be a flat structure. Similarly, on my Kobo device, I used to sideload books in a single "G:/books" folder, but now the sync'd books are in the root folder, but within author and book folders. I'd ideally like them to remain flattened in the "books" folder if possible. It's very possible I'm missing an obvious option here, but is there a way to determine how Calibre saves its library structure, and how it sends to device? Thanks in advance.

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12-05-2022, 06:34 PM	#3
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,699 Karma: 26966376 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Don't concern yourself with the library folder structure, it's largely irrelevant, see ==>> Why doesn’t calibre let me store books in my own folder structure? Then see Send to Device here ==>> The Graphical User Interface: Actions BR

12-08-2022, 04:33 PM	#4
Vanguard3000 Groupie Posts: 152 Karma: 474196 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ottawa Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Ok, I was able to flatten the structure and put all books in one folder on my device, which is good. I guess I'll just deal with them being in a concrete structure in the Calibre Library. I'll get used to it. Thanks, all!

12-08-2022, 05:25 PM	#5
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,729 Karma: 87663463 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	Note with Fat32 you might run out of space for file names with a totally flat all ebooks in root.

12-08-2022, 06:04 PM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,703 Karma: 130140792 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have a folder called books and that's where I stick my books. I don't use the root.

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