ePub TOC to mobi TOC

edmnddntes · 01-21-2011, 03:44 AM

Hello everyone,

I've created a ePub ebook using Sigil, and have used the TOC generator to make a TOC. Unfortunately, when I try to convert the ePub to .mobi using Calibre, the TO doesnt show up in the menu? How can I make it appear in the .mobi file?

DMSmillie · 01-21-2011, 09:15 AM

There are two different types of TOC.

The one most commonly referred to with reference to EPUB files, and the one created by Sigil, is a metadata TOC, coded in an XML file with file extension .ncx (NCX = "Navigation Control XML file"). Most EPUB viewers use that file to display an actual table of contents to the user. With MOBI files, though, the Kindle uses the NCX file simply to provide next/previous navigation using the 5-way controller (e.g. to jump to next or previous chapter). It doesn't use it to display a table of contents to the user.

In order to display a table of contents to the user in a Kindle ebook, a table of contents must also be included in the (X)HTML content of the book, and in order to enable the Kindle to include it in its "Go To..." menu, there has to be a Guide entry (type="toc") in the OPF file (another XML file that forms part of an EPUB or MOBI ebook) pointing to the HTML table of contents.

If you need help or pointers on how to do this, just shout.

edmnddntes · 01-21-2011, 01:43 PM

Yes please

I got the content.opf file open, so what should I do next?

jackie_w · 01-21-2011, 03:24 PM

I'm not a Kindle user, but I don't think you need to do any manual edits. If your EPUB has a working TOC then when you convert EPUB to MOBI you should get a TOC inside the MOBI at the end of the book. Make sure that on the Convert - Mobi Output page the 'Do not add Table of Contents to book' box is UNCHECKED.

DMSmillie · 01-23-2011, 04:00 PM

As far as I know, Calibre doesn't create that HTML TOC from the metadata (NCX) TOC. It will only create an HTML TOC if it can identify the chapter/section headings - ideally, these should be coded using H1 or H2 (if they are coded differently, you might have to amend the regex used to identify chapter headings). Calibre will then pick them up and create a TOC based on those headings when converting to MOBI. I double-checked, and Calibre will also add the necessary Guide item in the OPF file to enable the Kindle to provide a link to that HTML TOC in its "Go To..." menu.

cybmole · 01-24-2011, 03:56 AM

my test, before doing epub to mobi, is to open the epub with calibre viewer, if the viewer can find a toc, then so will kindle, after conversion. if the epub view test fails then it's back to sigil for some patching up, and/or do an epub to epub wiht the new hauristics stuff enabled.

sometimes it is necessary to take the bold step of deleting what appears to be the toc if it appears in an xhtml in sigil, & let the programs build a tag based replacement

01-21-2011, 03:44 AM	#1
edmnddntes Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3	ePub TOC to mobi TOC Hello everyone, I've created a ePub ebook using Sigil, and have used the TOC generator to make a TOC. Unfortunately, when I try to convert the ePub to .mobi using Calibre, the TO doesnt show up in the menu? How can I make it appear in the .mobi file?

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01-21-2011, 09:15 AM	#2
DMSmillie Enquiring Mind Posts: 562 Karma: 42350 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: London, UK Device: Kindle 3 (WiFi)	There are two different types of TOC. The one most commonly referred to with reference to EPUB files, and the one created by Sigil, is a metadata TOC, coded in an XML file with file extension .ncx (NCX = "Navigation Control XML file"). Most EPUB viewers use that file to display an actual table of contents to the user. With MOBI files, though, the Kindle uses the NCX file simply to provide next/previous navigation using the 5-way controller (e.g. to jump to next or previous chapter). It doesn't use it to display a table of contents to the user. In order to display a table of contents to the user in a Kindle ebook, a table of contents must also be included in the (X)HTML content of the book, and in order to enable the Kindle to include it in its "Go To..." menu, there has to be a Guide entry (type="toc") in the OPF file (another XML file that forms part of an EPUB or MOBI ebook) pointing to the HTML table of contents. If you need help or pointers on how to do this, just shout.

01-21-2011, 01:43 PM	#3
edmnddntes Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3	Yes please I got the content.opf file open, so what should I do next?

01-21-2011, 03:24 PM	#4
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,269 Karma: 16544702 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E, LibraCol, PBTouchHD3	I'm not a Kindle user, but I don't think you need to do any manual edits. If your EPUB has a working TOC then when you convert EPUB to MOBI you should get a TOC inside the MOBI at the end of the book. Make sure that on the Convert - Mobi Output page the 'Do not add Table of Contents to book' box is UNCHECKED.

01-23-2011, 04:00 PM	#5
DMSmillie Enquiring Mind Posts: 562 Karma: 42350 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: London, UK Device: Kindle 3 (WiFi)	As far as I know, Calibre doesn't create that HTML TOC from the metadata (NCX) TOC. It will only create an HTML TOC if it can identify the chapter/section headings - ideally, these should be coded using H1 or H2 (if they are coded differently, you might have to amend the regex used to identify chapter headings). Calibre will then pick them up and create a TOC based on those headings when converting to MOBI. I double-checked, and Calibre will also add the necessary Guide item in the OPF file to enable the Kindle to provide a link to that HTML TOC in its "Go To..." menu.

01-24-2011, 03:56 AM	#6
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	my test, before doing epub to mobi, is to open the epub with calibre viewer, if the viewer can find a toc, then so will kindle, after conversion. if the epub view test fails then it's back to sigil for some patching up, and/or do an epub to epub wiht the new hauristics stuff enabled. sometimes it is necessary to take the bold step of deleting what appears to be the toc if it appears in an xhtml in sigil, & let the programs build a tag based replacement

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