Help needed: Edit Meta Search & Replace no longer working the same

[jecilop]

I need some help with Edit Metadata Search and Replace Tab....

I made a Series Tag operation a long while back. It has worked great for me as I choose to add Series name tags in a certain format for library management.

HOWEVER, a number of updates ago (I do not know which), it no longer functioned the same. I have NOT changed the code, so I don't know why it doesn't generate the same information. I desperately need this ability back.

Example, 3 entries...with a series name as " TEST Name "
I could create 2 tags at the same time. These would add to any other existing tags.
TAGS created: SERIES, -SERIES: TEST Name

Here are the results now:
TAGS created: SERIES, -SERIES: TEST NameSERIES, -SERIES:

I cannot figure out what happened or what to alter now. I've tried various things. I am not a Python genius. I've figured out a lot of commands and sequences through my own research and patterns and help on these boards including using the parameters below which worked before.

Here are the parameters:
Search field: series (or any custom field)
Search for: (.*)
Replace with: SERIES,-SERIES:\1
Destination: tags

Preview test results show:
Your Test: ( blank )
Test Result: SERIES,-SERIES: (NOTE..this is as before)

Book 1: TEST Name
Test Result: SERIES,-SERIES: TEST NameSERIES,-SERIES:

USED TO BE as desired Test Result: SERIES, -SERIES: TEST Name


I can place a comma " ," in front of the first Replace parameter word:
,SERIES, -SERIES:\1
and it will break the series name, but it still generates the -SERIES: as another tag (undesired) as follows:
Book 1: TEST Name
Test Result: SERIES, -SERIES: TEST Name, SERIES, -SERIES:

[chaley]

It is hard (for me) to read and follow your explanation, but I am reasonably sure you are seeing the result of python 3's change to regular expressions. With the change, if the expression can then it will match both entire string and the empty space at the beginning of the string. In your case it can. You get two matches where before you got one.

If this is your problem (and I think it is) then you can fix it by ensuring the pattern:

• matches only the entire string by using anchors, as in (^.*$)
• can't match the empty string with either (..*) or (.+)

Calibre switched to python 3 in V5.

[jecilop]

matches only the entire string by using anchors, as in (^.*$) FIXED IT.

THANK YOU!

Originally Posted by chaley

If this is your problem (and I think it is) then you can fix it by ensuring the pattern:

• matches only the entire string by using anchors, as in (^.*$)
• can't match the empty string with either (..*) or (.+)

Calibre switched to python 3 in V5.