Removing text from an ebook

mjt57 · 04-28-2011, 08:53 PM

I am trying to convert a document to either MOBI or EPUB format (it doesn't matter which).

I tried to remove a string of text that appears at the bottom of each page in this PDF document. However, I'm not good at understanding the "regular expressions" that Calibre uses to perform this task.

Normally, I wouldn't bother with the text. When read as a PDF it's fine. But PDFs are difficult if not impossible to read easily on a Kindle. But because the way pages are sized/paginated, the "footer" often appears in the middle of the page, which can be distracting.

So, if someone can help me here, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

ldolse · 04-28-2011, 10:57 PM

Start by reading the tutorials.

Search & Replace:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118570

Regular Expressions:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118569

Then ask specific questions where the tutorials haven't helped, with example text snippets from your ebook.

mjt57 · 04-29-2011, 12:53 AM

Thanks Idolse. However, despite following these posts' instructions Calibre isn't detecting or removing the offending text from the document.

I copied and pasted the text from the original PDF into the field after clicking on the "wizard wand". Then I clicked on "test". It's supposed to then highlight it. In one case it shows 1 occurance, other times, zero occurances. I convert the book anyway, then preview the new copy. The text is still there.

Obviously I'm either doing something wrong or Calibre is. I don't know which.

And here is the text that I want to delete:

"Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html"

ldolse · 04-29-2011, 02:55 AM

If you click on the spoilers in the Search and Replace tutorial I linked above there is an example for exactly your request. Note that ABC intentionally generates headers that are extremely difficult to remove - frankly it's likely that you're better off finding a better source like the original Lit file or just purchasing the book.

04-28-2011, 08:53 PM	#1
mjt57 Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 478544 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Victoria, Australia Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle app on iPad and iPhone	Removing text from an ebook I am trying to convert a document to either MOBI or EPUB format (it doesn't matter which). I tried to remove a string of text that appears at the bottom of each page in this PDF document. However, I'm not good at understanding the "regular expressions" that Calibre uses to perform this task. Normally, I wouldn't bother with the text. When read as a PDF it's fine. But PDFs are difficult if not impossible to read easily on a Kindle. But because the way pages are sized/paginated, the "footer" often appears in the middle of the page, which can be distracting. So, if someone can help me here, I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ebook formatting - help with removing margins?	geekgeek	Amazon Kindle	8	12-22-2010 10:27 PM
Tool for removing line breaks in text documents	kahn10	Sony Reader	9	08-22-2010 10:05 PM
Does this court ruling mean removing ebook DRM for reading on other devices is legal?	sweevo	General Discussions	5	08-06-2010 02:20 PM
PDF Conversion - Removing Header / Footer Text	heb	Sony Reader	9	07-11-2010 11:02 PM
Converting PDF - Removing text at top of pages	halljames	Calibre	4	07-21-2009 07:00 AM

04-28-2011, 10:57 PM	#2
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	Start by reading the tutorials. Search & Replace: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118570 Regular Expressions: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118569 Then ask specific questions where the tutorials haven't helped, with example text snippets from your ebook.

04-29-2011, 12:53 AM	#3
mjt57 Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 478544 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Victoria, Australia Device: Kindle Oasis, Kindle app on iPad and iPhone	Thanks Idolse. However, despite following these posts' instructions Calibre isn't detecting or removing the offending text from the document. I copied and pasted the text from the original PDF into the field after clicking on the "wizard wand". Then I clicked on "test". It's supposed to then highlight it. In one case it shows 1 occurance, other times, zero occurances. I convert the book anyway, then preview the new copy. The text is still there. Obviously I'm either doing something wrong or Calibre is. I don't know which. And here is the text that I want to delete: "Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html"

04-29-2011, 02:55 AM	#4
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	If you click on the spoilers in the Search and Replace tutorial I linked above there is an example for exactly your request. Note that ABC intentionally generates headers that are extremely difficult to remove - frankly it's likely that you're better off finding a better source like the original Lit file or just purchasing the book.

Advert