Editing Book Titles

lamont · 02-28-2018, 10:10 PM

If I edit book titles in Calibre, once the file is on the Kindle, the original title shows. And If I open the file with the edited title again in Calibre, it opens showing the original title.

What I am trying to accomplish:

In a series of books, chronological order is usually important. I would like amend 01, 02, 03, 04 etc to the book titles.

Also, the titles in certain book series are often inconsistent, Frequently the title is missing an article. This results in books not being listed in proper alphabetical order.

Is it possible to edit a book title so it takes permanently, even if the file is moved to a Kindle, or will an edited book tile always default back to its original name?

ilovejedd · 02-28-2018, 10:21 PM

Note, "Save to Disk" or "Send to Device" should have been updating the metadata of exported ebooks anyway upon save/send but these don't change the books stored in the Calibre directory structure.

You can update the metadata of ebooks stored in the Calibre directory using Polish Books (keyboard shortcut P, iirc).

ekbell · 02-28-2018, 10:46 PM

The plugin 'Embed Metadata' will also change the book file to your preferred metadata without adding extra files to your database and can be used on a greater number of format.

lamont · 02-28-2018, 10:46 PM

So is the problem I am experiencing normal or not?

You say "but these don't change the books stored in the Calibre directory structure."

What are "these"?

And what is "Polish Books"? Is it editing software? I can't find it on Google.

lamont · 02-28-2018, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekbell

The plugin 'Embed Metadata' will also change the book file to your preferred metadata without adding extra files to your database and can be used on a greater number of format.

Is that plug-in for Calibre?

ilovejedd · 02-28-2018, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamont

So is the problem I am experiencing normal or not?

You say "but these don't change the books stored in the Calibre directory structure."

What are "these"?

And what is "Polish Books"? Is it editing software? I can't find it on Google.

Well, when you use Save to Disk or Send to Device (Kindle), metadata on the exported ebooks should've been updated unless you specifically disabled that option. The "these" I'm referring to are the Save to Disk or Send to Device commands.

Polish Books is a native command/feature in Calibre (forgot what version it was introduced). The keyboard shortcut is "P", iirc. I don't think it shows up by default in the main toolbar and menus. I think I had to add the shortcut to my context/right-click menu. Caveat, I think it only works with epub and azw3 (I use epub).

Embed Metadata is a Calibre plugin.

Scratch that. I was thinking of Embed Comic Metadata. Embed Metadata is a native plugin, too, but there's no default keyboard shortcut and it's not visible by default on the main toolbar and context menu.

theducks · 02-28-2018, 11:26 PM

You might be running into the assigned ASIN pulling data from the big A instead of using yours.

I leave my K4 in Airplane mode.
But once the data has been downloaded, it is inside the devices DB

lamont · 03-01-2018, 12:34 AM

Alright, this stuff is way above my understanding.

I generally download my e-books as azw3 files from my Amazon content page to my computer. I then connect my Kindle with USB to the computer and drag the azw3 files into the document folder. This has worked in the past.

I have used the same method to sucessfully add some PDF files.

Now Amazon seems to interfere. They change my azw3 files on the Kindle to kfx. I don't like that. That's my first problem.

Furthermore, I would like to edit many of the book file titles, which I have done in Calibre by editing the metadata.

If I drag the folder that contains the azw3, the cover jpg and the edited metadata file into the document folder on the Kindle, it shows up in the Kindle Document folder, but once the Kindle is disconnected, the book is not listed.

Somewhere along the way I am now doing something wrong, but I can't find out what it is.

By the way, I do keep my Kindle in Airplane Mode, but when I use a USB connection to my computer it connects to Amazon anyway. I really don't want to have to unplug my ethernet each time I plug in my Kindle.

lamont · 03-01-2018, 04:08 AM

I'll give an example: I have Kings's The Dark Tower series.

I want the book titles with the number of the book in the series amended:

The Gunslinger 01
The Drawing of the Three 02
The Waste Lands 03
etc

I add each book to Calibre, highlight it, right-click and edit the metadata (the title).

In the Calibre Library I get a folder that shows the azw3 file with the edited name. The folder also contains a metadata file.

1, What do I have to do to move my edited book file to the Kindle so that the edited name shows?

2. How do I get rid of the original file? Ot how do I replace the original file with my edited one? Keep in mind the file on my Kindle may be a kfx file, but my files are alwayts azw3. I notice that on the Kindle in the Document folder most (not all ) azw3 gook files also have a folder with a bunch of sidecar(?) files.

Sirtel · 03-01-2018, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamont

In the Calibre Library I get a folder that shows the azw3 file with the edited name. The folder also contains a metadata file.

1, What do I have to do to move my edited book file to the Kindle so that the edited name shows?

Don't drag the file to the Kindle using the file explorer. Send it to your device directly from Calibre, using the Calibre GUI.

ilovejedd · 03-01-2018, 09:41 AM

First, did you remove DRM from the azw3 files? If they have DRM, then Calibre cannot edit the azw3 files.

If they're DRM-free already, you have a couple of options.

Save to Disk/Send to Device (can be found in the main toolbar or right-click menu) will update the metadata on the exported ebooks going to the Kindle but does not change the files inside the actual Calibre library.

Embed Metada/Polish Books (not in toolbar/right-click menu by default but you can add a shortcut by going to Preferences - Toolbars & menus) will update the metadata in the files inside the actual Calibre library.

lamont · 03-01-2018, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Don't drag the file to the Kindle using the file explorer. Send it to your device directly from Calibre, using the Calibre GUI.

Can you please explain why dragging the file versus sending the file makes a difference? I have to understand why I am supposed to do things a certain way.

lamont · 03-01-2018, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

First, did you remove DRM from the azw3 files? If they have DRM, then Calibre cannot edit the azw3 files.

If they're DRM-free already, you have a couple of options.

Save to Disk/Send to Device (can be found in the main toolbar or right-click menu) will update the metadata on the exported ebooks going to the Kindle but does not change the files inside the actual Calibre library.

Embed Metada/Polish Books (not in toolbar/right-click menu by default but you can add a shortcut by going to Preferences - Toolbars & menus) will update the metadata in the files inside the actual Calibre library.

Are you indicating the name of the azw3 file cannot be edited unless the DRM has been removed?

I used to have the DRM removal plug-in in Calibre on my Mac. I have since switched to PC and have not been able to get the DRM removal plug-in going. It's installed, the Kindle serial number has been added, but the plug-in is not working. That's in Windows 10.

itimpi · 03-01-2018, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamont

Can you please explain why dragging the file versus sending the file makes a difference? I have to understand why I am supposed to do things a certain way.

changing the title in Calibre merely updates the database - it does not embed the change into the metadata of the ebook file stored in the Calibre library.. You therefore need to somehow get this change applied to the file for your device to recognise the change.

If you use the ‘send to device’ feature then Calibre dynamically applies the change to the file when it is sent. If you use the ‘Embed Metadata’ feature then the ebook file stored in the library is updated (after which drag-and-drop to your device should now give the expected results.

theducks · 03-01-2018, 05:33 PM

You ALSO need to use the metadata plugboard to insert the metadata into the title , not the file name (This works with device 'sends', as it needs to detect the device unless ALL is usable for your collection of devices)

PS I do not recommend mangling the intended usage of Calibre columns.

Series [series_index] has a purpose

Messing with the {Title} can prevent fetching metadata

02-28-2018, 10:10 PM	#1
lamont Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Editing Book Titles If I edit book titles in Calibre, once the file is on the Kindle, the original title shows. And If I open the file with the edited title again in Calibre, it opens showing the original title. What I am trying to accomplish: In a series of books, chronological order is usually important. I would like amend 01, 02, 03, 04 etc to the book titles. Also, the titles in certain book series are often inconsistent, Frequently the title is missing an article. This results in books not being listed in proper alphabetical order. Is it possible to edit a book title so it takes permanently, even if the file is moved to a Kindle, or will an edited book tile always default back to its original name?

02-28-2018, 10:46 PM	#4
lamont Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	So is the problem I am experiencing normal or not? You say "but these don't change the books stored in the Calibre directory structure." What are "these"? And what is "Polish Books"? Is it editing software? I can't find it on Google. Last edited by lamont; 02-28-2018 at 10:49 PM.

03-01-2018, 12:34 AM	#8
lamont Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Alright, this stuff is way above my understanding. I generally download my e-books as azw3 files from my Amazon content page to my computer. I then connect my Kindle with USB to the computer and drag the azw3 files into the document folder. This has worked in the past. I have used the same method to sucessfully add some PDF files. Now Amazon seems to interfere. They change my azw3 files on the Kindle to kfx. I don't like that. That's my first problem. Furthermore, I would like to edit many of the book file titles, which I have done in Calibre by editing the metadata. If I drag the folder that contains the azw3, the cover jpg and the edited metadata file into the document folder on the Kindle, it shows up in the Kindle Document folder, but once the Kindle is disconnected, the book is not listed. Somewhere along the way I am now doing something wrong, but I can't find out what it is. By the way, I do keep my Kindle in Airplane Mode, but when I use a USB connection to my computer it connects to Amazon anyway. I really don't want to have to unplug my ethernet each time I plug in my Kindle. Last edited by lamont; 03-01-2018 at 12:44 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Troubleshooting Editing book titles	JosephWebber	Amazon Kindle	4	07-02-2013 04:54 AM
PRS-600 Editing book titles	nickygrist	Sony Reader	3	09-06-2010 02:33 PM
Editing thread titles	Jellby	Feedback	2	01-16-2009 05:59 AM
Editing Book Titles	kbirdz	Sony Reader	2	09-27-2007 10:18 AM

02-28-2018, 10:21 PM	#2
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Note, "Save to Disk" or "Send to Device" should have been updating the metadata of exported ebooks anyway upon save/send but these don't change the books stored in the Calibre directory structure. You can update the metadata of ebooks stored in the Calibre directory using Polish Books (keyboard shortcut P, iirc).

02-28-2018, 10:46 PM	#3
ekbell Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	The plugin 'Embed Metadata' will also change the book file to your preferred metadata without adding extra files to your database and can be used on a greater number of format.

02-28-2018, 11:26 PM	#7
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,809 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	You might be running into the assigned ASIN pulling data from the big A instead of using yours. I leave my K4 in Airplane mode. But once the data has been downloaded, it is inside the devices DB

03-01-2018, 04:08 AM	#9
lamont Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2017 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I'll give an example: I have Kings's The Dark Tower series. I want the book titles with the number of the book in the series amended: The Gunslinger 01 The Drawing of the Three 02 The Waste Lands 03 etc I add each book to Calibre, highlight it, right-click and edit the metadata (the title). In the Calibre Library I get a folder that shows the azw3 file with the edited name. The folder also contains a metadata file. 1, What do I have to do to move my edited book file to the Kindle so that the edited name shows? 2. How do I get rid of the original file? Ot how do I replace the original file with my edited one? Keep in mind the file on my Kindle may be a kfx file, but my files are alwayts azw3. I notice that on the Kindle in the Document folder most (not all ) azw3 gook files also have a folder with a bunch of sidecar(?) files.

03-01-2018, 09:41 AM	#11
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	First, did you remove DRM from the azw3 files? If they have DRM, then Calibre cannot edit the azw3 files. If they're DRM-free already, you have a couple of options. Save to Disk/Send to Device (can be found in the main toolbar or right-click menu) will update the metadata on the exported ebooks going to the Kindle but does not change the files inside the actual Calibre library. Embed Metada/Polish Books (not in toolbar/right-click menu by default but you can add a shortcut by going to Preferences - Toolbars & menus) will update the metadata in the files inside the actual Calibre library.

03-01-2018, 05:33 PM	#15
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,809 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	You ALSO need to use the metadata plugboard to insert the metadata into the title , not the file name (This works with device 'sends', as it needs to detect the device unless ALL is usable for your collection of devices) PS I do not recommend mangling the intended usage of Calibre columns. Series [series_index] has a purpose Messing with the {Title} can prevent fetching metadata

Advert

Advert