SUGGESTION: Edit w/o overwriting Comments in Mult. Books

[jecilop]

UPDATE: Mostly solved - see posts from 9/1 and 9/2.

ORIGINAL SUGGESTION: I know this issue was fixed in the recent Calibre update when it comes to downloading metadata to add and not overwrite. This would be AWESOME for regular editing of metadata where you can choose a bunch of books and add info to the comments of all of them without overwriting what is there. I currently have to go through each books and copy/paste to do this. It's a major library and takes way too much time!
He is the Calibre update info from the closed ticket for downloaded metadata for reference from release 1.26 on 2-28-2014:
"Metadata download: Add an option to merge the downloaded comments into existing comments, instead of overwriting (Preferences->Metadata download).
Closes tickets: 1285319"

The cherry on top would be to also be able to specify if edited comments (I'm focusing on the manual edits and not downloads) should be added to the beginning or end.

Example of use: editing a library where you have 20 or more books for the same author for whom you'd like to add a link to a specific website to the comments section, especially if you include the comments in book conversions and such.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by jecilop

I know this issue was fixed in the recent Calibre update when it comes to downloading metadata to add and not overwrite. This would be AWESOME for regular editing of metadata where you can choose a bunch of books and add info to the comments of all of them without overwriting what is there. I currently have to go through each books and copy/paste to do this. It's a major library and takes way too much time!
He is the Calibre update info from the closed ticket for downloaded metadata for reference from release 1.26 on 2-28-2014:
"Metadata download: Add an option to merge the downloaded comments into existing comments, instead of overwriting (Preferences->Metadata download).
Closes tickets: 1285319"

The cherry on top would be to also be able to specify if edited comments (I'm focusing on the manual edits and not downloads) should be added to the beginning or end.

Example of use: editing a library where you have 20 or more books for the same author for whom you'd like to add a link to a specific website to the comments section, especially if you include the comments in book conversions and such.

Look at Bulk Metadata edit:Search and Replace
You can choose to Prepend or append by setting the MODE:

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by jecilop

Example of use: editing a library where you have 20 or more books for the same author for whom you'd like to add a link to a specific website to the comments section, especially if you include the comments in book conversions and such.

FWIW - you can enter an author specific link in Manage Authors, I don't think there's any way of getting it into each of the authors books. But it could act as 'bookmark' to paste into new books by same author.

Simplest way I know to get there is right click the author name in Book Details and select Manage Authors.

BR

[jecilop]

Originally Posted by theducks

Look at Bulk Metadata edit:Search and Replace
You can choose to Prepend or append by setting the MODE:

@theducks,
Somehow I missed replies to this post and just found this.
I just started a new thread that better forms the request which could apply in many ways:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=245565

Still, I tried what you mentioned. It doesn't seem to work if I can't give it something to search for. Since I'm not actually replacing anything but rather adding, there is nothing to put. Am I missing something? A picture is attached so you can see the settings.

Also, if this could work it would be a major step forward. The link I provided improves it further because it allows links to be added as active html and not just text.

[theducks]

You do want to keep what is there?
Search: (.*)
Replace: \1 stuff

[jecilop]

This is partially solved now...

Originally Posted by theducks

You do want to keep what is there?
Search: (.*)
Replace: \1 stuff

Thank you, @theducks. That helped. I can't figure out what the \1 means as it only caused errors in variations I tried, but I just put the 'stuff" I wanted in the replace blank like the google link shown in the picture previously and it worked!!!

This is an excellent step in the right direction. I hope Kovid considers my request in that thread. It's a shorter step and can be an active link vs. just text.

Thanks again. This was BIG!

[BetterRed]

if you replace with something like

\1<a href="http://google.com">Google</a>

then it will be a clickable link - I think

BR

[jecilop]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

if you replace with something like

\1<a href="http://google.com">Google</a>

then it will be a clickable link - I think

BR

That worked. Thanks. I was testing that out previously but apparently wrong. The text to display was required.

I do wonder about the \1. Where does that come from. I DON'T USE IT in that field because it just an error then. Without \1 , it is perfect.

[theducks]

\1 is the REGEX for replace with the first capture group
(You only had 1 in this case: the stuff insid the ( ) )

[BetterRed]

@jecilop - I copied '\1 stuff' as posted by theducks, and then replaced the ' stuff' with a bit of html for your google url.

I think the '\1' 'says' put the results of the first parenthesized search term into the destination at this place - but don't take my word for it read up on 'regular expressions' - Google for it from your jacket, I already gave you the link (x-post with theducks)

If you don't want it then no need for S&R, use the Comments Editor that pops when you click Bulk Metadata Edit->Basic->Set the comments for all selected books. In Normal mode you'll see this at the end of the second icon group, click it and you can paste a url and calibre will wrap it in gold plated HTML - easy peasy

BR