Is there Merge Files toolbar icon or shortcut key?

phossler · 10-21-2021, 11:38 AM

Is there Merge Files toolbar icon or shortcut key?

I frequently find an epub with pairs of files for (typically) a chapter number in one file and the chapter title in a seond:

File 1 --

Code:

<body>
  <h2>CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX</h2>
</body>

File 2 --

Code:

<body>
  <h3>TITLE TITLE TITLE</h3>

.........

I'd like to just end up with this after the Merge

Code:

<body>

  <h2>CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX</h2>

 <h3>TITLE TITLE TITLE</h3>

I can RegEx my way (or at least I think I can) to the final format for the TOC

Code:

<body>
  <h2>CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX<br/><br/>TITLE TITLE TITLE</h2>

I can merge the files by selecting the pair, right clicking, and Merge Text Files, but it'd be a lot easier and faster to have an icon and shortcut key

On the menu there does seem to be an icon, but I can't find that either under Editor Preferences, Shortcut Keys or Toolbars

(Same for Link Style sheets which I use all the time)

kovidgoyal · 10-21-2021, 12:04 PM

No, there isnt IIRC

theducks · 10-21-2021, 02:37 PM

Calibre requires you to select all files to be merged AND specify the target (defaults to the first).
This is different from the way Sigil does it 1) A single file selected Assumes Merge into previous (in list) when you ctrl-M. 20 If multiple selected, then it want a confirm (still first)

viva the difference. I use both, because of DIFFERENT ways of doing things (and I don't want either to conform to the other)

.

phossler · 10-21-2021, 10:39 PM

I used to use Sigil but 'standardized' on Calibre. I'd hate to have to use it just to merge files easier.

I forgot about some of the intermediate steps to merge using Calibre

I was thinking that it'd be handy to select a bunck of html files, click a icon, and -- presto - merge into the first file

How about a drag and drop merge in the File Browser to merge two files? If there were multiple files, then the currect way would still work

DyckBook · 11-07-2021, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phossler

I used to use Sigil but 'standardized' on Calibre. I'd hate to have to use it just to merge files easier.

I forgot about some of the intermediate steps to merge using Calibre

I was thinking that it'd be handy to select a bunck of html files, click a icon, and -- presto - merge into the first file

How about a drag and drop merge in the File Browser to merge two files? If there were multiple files, then the currect way would still work

I just had to do that for some books that had random chapter breaks in the middle of chapters. But, as I recall it only took 4 steps and 5 mouse clicks to accomplish each merge.

1. Click on first file--hold down shift key
2. Click on last file
3. Right click on the highlighted area
4. Click on "merge" twice if you have "snap to" enabled. This is because the first file is already selected.

Yes, drag and drop would be a bit faster, but you'd still have to do steps 1 and 2. And step three would be the drag and drop. So you will have eliminated one double mouse click. But then, if you have to do this a lot, maybe that's worth it.

phossler · 11-12-2021, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyckBook

1. Click on first file--hold down shift key
2. Click on last file
3. Right click on the highlighted area
4. Click on "merge" twice if you have "snap to" enabled. This is because the first file is already selected.

Yes, drag and drop would be a bit faster, but you'd still have to do steps 1 and 2. And step three would be the drag and drop. So you will have eliminated one double mouse click. But then, if you have to do this a lot, maybe that's worth it.

I was actually thinking of something simpler and IMO more intuitive

In the File Browser window before

11.html
12.html
13.html
14.html
15.html

1. Click 13.html
2. Drag it and drop on 11.html
3. Click 15.html
4. Drag it and drop on 11.html

In the File Browser window after

11.html (now includes 13.html and 15.html)
12.html
14.html

Tex2002ans · 11-12-2021, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phossler

I was actually thinking of something simpler and IMO more intuitive

[...]

1. Click 13.html
2. Drag it and drop on 11.html
3. Click 15.html
4. Drag it and drop on 11.html

[...]

But drag+dropping files already exists, and it's for changing the order of files within the EPUB's spine.

phossler · 11-13-2021, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex2002ans

But drag+dropping files already exists, and it's for changing the order of files within the EPUB's spine.

Yes, but Kovid has very user friendly-ly (?

) added an indicator line where the moved file is to be inserted.

I was think that just dropping the 'to be merged' file on top of the 'merge it here' file would be the way

I know that if I want to rearrange files and do NOT get the indicator line (it's a little hard to see) then nothing happens

kovidgoyal · 11-14-2021, 03:27 AM

I'm not a fan of having the same d&d do two unrelated things, however, since, thanks to checkpoints mistakes are easy to undo, I implemented it. https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibr...fac095f1f3af28

BetterRed · 11-14-2021, 04:18 AM

Drag-n-drop file merging should have a preferences option to disable it.

The Allow using drag and drop to merge books setting in Look and Feel set a precedent for book merging.

BR

kovidgoyal · 11-14-2021, 05:06 AM

In the main book list there is no undo for the merge, in the editor there is. So I dont think there is much need fo rone. Wel will see.

lomkiri · 11-14-2021, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Drag-n-drop file merging should have a preferences option to disable it.

I second this opinion. Moving files is far more common than merging them, and a mistake may easily happen without even being noticed ; in that case checkpoints are useless. I think it's a dangerous option, although practical when needed, and, IMHO, it should be specifically allowed, as a preference, or maybe activating a button in an existing toolbar.

kovidgoyal · 11-14-2021, 06:56 AM

Why are checkpoints useless? You dont even need to use the checkpoint manually, when you drop you get asked for confirmation, and after the merge is done there is even an unobtrusive popup to allow you to undo. I suggest you try it first, before jumping on the badwagon.

phossler · 11-14-2021, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I'm not a fan of having the same d&d do two unrelated things, however, since, thanks to checkpoints mistakes are easy to undo, I implemented it.

!. Thanks - I (data point of 1) do a lot more merging than re-arranging so this will be very handy. Many of the books I re-format to make Kindle-friendly have a (e.g.) a chapter split over several xhtml files

2. With the 'Rearrange Here' line in the file browser it seems like there is a clear difference displayed to the user as to the result.

3. Check points work fine to un-do a 'oops' merge

BetterRed · 11-14-2021, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Why are checkpoints useless? You dont even need to use the checkpoint manually, when you drop you get asked for confirmation, and after the merge is done there is even an unobtrusive popup to allow you to undo.

That will be sufficient for me.

I always have popup "Show this warning again" checked.

Aside: I would never deliberately make use of drag drop to merge files. I even dislike having to use the mouse to move objects, particularly up and down trees, a) it requires fine motor skills that I don't have, and b) it's too easy to move objects inadvertently. If I could, I'd disable mouse drag and drop semi-permanently, and only enable it when absolutely necessary

BR

10-21-2021, 11:38 AM	#1
phossler Wizard Posts: 1,085 Karma: 412718 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Valley Forge, PA, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Is there Merge Files toolbar icon or shortcut key? Is there Merge Files toolbar icon or shortcut key? I frequently find an epub with pairs of files for (typically) a chapter number in one file and the chapter title in a seond: File 1 -- Code: <body> <h2>CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX</h2> </body> File 2 -- Code: <body> <h3>TITLE TITLE TITLE</h3> ......... I'd like to just end up with this after the Merge Code: <body> <h2>CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX</h2> <h3>TITLE TITLE TITLE</h3> I can RegEx my way (or at least I think I can) to the final format for the TOC Code: <body> <h2>CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX<br/><br/>TITLE TITLE TITLE</h2> I can merge the files by selecting the pair, right clicking, and Merge Text Files, but it'd be a lot easier and faster to have an icon and shortcut key On the menu there does seem to be an icon, but I can't find that either under Editor Preferences, Shortcut Keys or Toolbars (Same for Link Style sheets which I use all the time) Attached Thumbnails Last edited by phossler; 10-21-2021 at 11:48 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Shortcut Key for Individual Saved Searchs	kevn57	Library Management	3	09-29-2021 04:34 PM
to merge an advanced search and a shortcut into one command	reinsley	Library Management	0	12-02-2016 09:54 AM
Snippets !!! Icon for the toolbar??	phossler	Editor	12	01-12-2015 05:05 AM
Shortcut key for HTML Source in Comments	jenrar	Library Management	9	11-24-2014 05:26 PM
Delete Files - Shortcut Key Combination for Macbook	linzerkipferl	Sigil	6	07-09-2013 03:27 PM

10-21-2021, 12:04 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 44,323 Karma: 23661992 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	No, there isnt IIRC

10-21-2021, 02:37 PM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,362 Karma: 58053698 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Calibre requires you to select all files to be merged AND specify the target (defaults to the first). This is different from the way Sigil does it 1) A single file selected Assumes Merge into previous (in list) when you ctrl-M. 20 If multiple selected, then it want a confirm (still first) viva the difference. I use both, because of DIFFERENT ways of doing things (and I don't want either to conform to the other) .

10-21-2021, 10:39 PM	#4
phossler Wizard Posts: 1,085 Karma: 412718 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Valley Forge, PA, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I used to use Sigil but 'standardized' on Calibre. I'd hate to have to use it just to merge files easier. I forgot about some of the intermediate steps to merge using Calibre I was thinking that it'd be handy to select a bunck of html files, click a icon, and -- presto - merge into the first file How about a drag and drop merge in the File Browser to merge two files? If there were multiple files, then the currect way would still work

11-14-2021, 03:27 AM	#9
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 44,323 Karma: 23661992 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	I'm not a fan of having the same d&d do two unrelated things, however, since, thanks to checkpoints mistakes are easy to undo, I implemented it. https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibr...fac095f1f3af28

11-14-2021, 04:18 AM	#10
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,926 Karma: 27620688 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Drag-n-drop file merging should have a preferences option to disable it. The Allow using drag and drop to merge books setting in Look and Feel set a precedent for book merging. BR

11-14-2021, 05:06 AM	#11
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 44,323 Karma: 23661992 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	In the main book list there is no undo for the merge, in the editor there is. So I dont think there is much need fo rone. Wel will see.

11-14-2021, 06:56 AM	#13
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 44,323 Karma: 23661992 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Why are checkpoints useless? You dont even need to use the checkpoint manually, when you drop you get asked for confirmation, and after the merge is done there is even an unobtrusive popup to allow you to undo. I suggest you try it first, before jumping on the badwagon.

Advert

Advert