Viewing format-specific metadata

[Chad Cloman]

I'd like to view metadata that is format-specific (in this case, Kindle mobi), but I can't find an option to do that. The only place that seems to know about format-specific metadata is the conversion process, but that doesn't allow you to see the existing values.

Does Calibre have the ability to view format-specific metadata?

[kovidgoyal]

Open the format in the calibre ebook viewer and click the show metadata button. Or use the ebook-meta command line program.

[Chad Cloman]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Open the format in the calibre ebook viewer and click the show metadata button. Or use the ebook-meta command line program.

That doesn't seem to work for me. I just get the regular metadata.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Chad Cloman

That doesn't seem to work for me. I just get the regular metadata.

If you are looking for your custom columns, then I don't think they will be in the embedded metadata of any ebook. The metadata that can be embedded into an ebook is 'governed' by standards/conventions pertinent to each type of ebook (ie ePUB, AZW, MOBI, PDF etc)

The only way I know of of getting custom columns into an ebook is via the 'book jacket' that can be inserted at the beginning of a book. This can done during conversion, or via Polish Book or Modify Book (optional plug-in). How to define what goes where in the "jacket" is explained in this section of the manual Overriding Icons, Templates etc

BR

[unboggling]

If you mean format-specific metadata elements that you want to enter/edit then see displayed in the Library View booklist (or on a metadata jacket inserted into the format), this is what I do:

Have a custom column (comma separated tags) that is for format-level tags only.

Dealing with format-level tags in a book-level row requires rules to avoid confusion. My rule: after processing the new book into calibre, there can be only one master format for that book. No other formats are allowed for that book unless there is good reason, such as automatic-convert of master format to different format to read on specific device. Master format stays. Any other formats get removed during initial processing or immediately after temporary use.

With that rule, all my format-level tags act as if they are book-level tags, and they like it. That promotion in levels makes them feel less looked-down-at and more useful.

If I had to keep multiple formats per book for some reason, then in my format-level custom column I would enter format tags like this:

AZW3.good, EPUB.good, MOBI.problems, ...