How do I delete book formats?

[GoldThreader]

So i manually went into my calibre library and deleted books just in the formats I didn't want but Calibre itself still lists them how do I get calibre to not list the formats for the same book?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by GoldThreader

So i manually went into my calibre library and deleted books just in the formats I didn't want but Calibre itself still lists them how do I get calibre to not list the formats for the same book?

never do things like that via the back door

To delete a single books format.
Open the metadata editor, select the format(s) to delete and use the 'recycle' icon next to it.

for Multiple books, to remove the same format:

Select Titles: Right-click the Recycle icon in the Main tool bar: remove files of a specific format.

[GoldThreader]

Originally Posted by theducks

never do things like that via the back door

To delete a single books format.
Open the metadata editor, select the format(s) to delete and use the 'recycle' icon next to it.

for Multiple books, to remove the same format:

Select Titles: Right-click the Recycle icon in the Main tool bar: remove files of a specific format.

I'll try that and let you know but I don't understand whats wrong with deleting them myself

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by GoldThreader

I'll try that and let you know but I don't understand whats wrong with deleting them myself

If you do that then Calibre will continue to lst them as present because it still has entries in its database. Deleting via Calibre means that the database is kept in sync with the File system.

[PeterT]

@GoldThreader: The advice that is given over and over is to treat ALL the directories and files in the Calibre Library as being out of bounds; don't drop them, move them, change them, add new files outside the control of calibre.

Think of the entire Calibre Library as being a black box to us.

[theboardrider]

Originally Posted by GoldThreader

I'll try that and let you know but I don't understand whats wrong with deleting them myself

iTunes functions, if you're familar with it (or really any user interface that interacts with a library file). Particularly if you've ever attempted to move a library to an external hard drive, or manage a hard drive that's not in it's original location for whatever reason. It's imperative that any and all file manipulation be done via the user interface. If you get in and start messing with files manually, things get ugly quick. I'm sure Calibre works the same way.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by GoldThreader

I'll try that and let you know but I don't understand whats wrong with deleting them myself

@GoldThreader - at its core the calibre ebook library management application (calibre GUI) is a database (one per physical library) that manages/controls/logically owns a set of folders and files. Access to database is achieved via the calibre GUI, hence access to its folders and files should only be via the calibre GUI.

The calibre GUI creates the folders and files when you add a book. Changes to book title or authorship in the calibre GUI will change that book's folder and file names (algorithmically). Hence it follows that removal of books and format files must done from the calibre GUI.

If you want to control/manage/logically own the folders and files in which your books are stored you could use the calibre Command Line Interface, either directly or via your own scripts,

BTW : the simplest way (IMO) to remove a specific format from the current book is to press Alt/Del on your keyboard and select the formats(s) you want to remove. Also works if multiple books are selected.

BR

[phossler]

@GoldThreader -- fortunately Calibre can be self-healing.

Calibre, Library Maintenance, Check Library (Step1.jpg)

This is a 2 step process

1. If it finds no errors, tell it you want to check if the files match the information in the data base

2. Things like manually deleted files ("missing book formats") are fixable (Step2.jpg) and Calibre will delete them from it's database


BUT all of the hands-off advice above should be followed, since I'm SURE it's possible for a creative user to do SOMETHING that cannot be fixed