Extracting highlights from iBooks

nexgen · 12-22-2010, 09:05 AM

I usually convert pdf files in epub then load it into iBooks. While reading I highlight important points in those epub files.

I'm wondering is there anyway I can export those highlights in text files?

tyche · 12-22-2010, 09:31 AM

I'm going to say, there is no way. Perhaps jailbroken device you can look at the epub in the filesystem and find the file containing the notes but there is no designed method to do this.

I also think you're going about it the wrong way. Why convert a pdf into epub that rarely if ever turns out correct. Just read the native PDF with something like GoodReader or iAnnotate.

nexgen · 12-22-2010, 10:58 AM

I have got both apps (Goodreader and Aji Annotate) in my iPhone. However, I find it quite difficult to read from those apps.

Converting the pdf ebook to epub then reading them in stanza or ibooks give me more pleasing experience in spite of sacrificing the formatting and proper images.

If the ebook has got too much formatting and images then I read them in iAnnotate in ipad.

It will be great if I could somehow extract the highlights from ibooks. Is there any other apps that can load epub and allow extracting of highlights?

tyche · 12-22-2010, 04:52 PM

I took a look at this. There is a file called iBooksData2.plist in the 'Books' main folder. This seems to hold all the highlighting and notes. It's in a binary plist file and converting that to xml plist format you can see the text you highlighted and the notes you added but there are encrypted parts and no easy way to match up the notes to books and locations.

nexgen · 12-23-2010, 10:19 AM

tyche,

Thanks for the info but it seems that method will take way more time. Isn't there any other easy way?

SteveJT · 01-04-2012, 09:06 AM

A method I am reluctantly using is copying and pasting selected passages into a note, and then giving these notes a "Quote -" title. I can then email myself the annotations I have made. It takes longer, and is a little clumsy, but works.

whbenson · 01-04-2012, 11:15 PM

You can make these notes right within iBooks, of course, and e-mail them from there. This by tapping the "share" icon in the top right of the screen you reach by tapping the "table of contents" icon at the top of every page.

12-22-2010, 09:05 AM	#1
nexgen Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	Extracting highlights from iBooks I usually convert pdf files in epub then load it into iBooks. While reading I highlight important points in those epub files. I'm wondering is there anyway I can export those highlights in text files?

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12-22-2010, 09:31 AM	#2
tyche Addict Posts: 227 Karma: 2530 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, iPad	I'm going to say, there is no way. Perhaps jailbroken device you can look at the epub in the filesystem and find the file containing the notes but there is no designed method to do this. I also think you're going about it the wrong way. Why convert a pdf into epub that rarely if ever turns out correct. Just read the native PDF with something like GoodReader or iAnnotate.

12-22-2010, 10:58 AM	#3
nexgen Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	I have got both apps (Goodreader and Aji Annotate) in my iPhone. However, I find it quite difficult to read from those apps. Converting the pdf ebook to epub then reading them in stanza or ibooks give me more pleasing experience in spite of sacrificing the formatting and proper images. If the ebook has got too much formatting and images then I read them in iAnnotate in ipad. It will be great if I could somehow extract the highlights from ibooks. Is there any other apps that can load epub and allow extracting of highlights?

12-22-2010, 04:52 PM	#4
tyche Addict Posts: 227 Karma: 2530 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, iPad	I took a look at this. There is a file called iBooksData2.plist in the 'Books' main folder. This seems to hold all the highlighting and notes. It's in a binary plist file and converting that to xml plist format you can see the text you highlighted and the notes you added but there are encrypted parts and no easy way to match up the notes to books and locations.

12-23-2010, 10:19 AM	#5
nexgen Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: none	tyche, Thanks for the info but it seems that method will take way more time. Isn't there any other easy way?

01-04-2012, 09:06 AM	#6
SteveJT Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Kindle	A method I am reluctantly using is copying and pasting selected passages into a note, and then giving these notes a "Quote -" title. I can then email myself the annotations I have made. It takes longer, and is a little clumsy, but works.

01-04-2012, 11:15 PM	#7
whbenson Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 493532 Join Date: May 2010 Device: ipad	You can make these notes right within iBooks, of course, and e-mail them from there. This by tapping the "share" icon in the top right of the screen you reach by tapping the "table of contents" icon at the top of every page.

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