How to Move ToC in Calibre-Created MOBI File?

[Faterson]

I use Calibre to create MOBI files out of HTML files. The automatically generated ToC page appears at the end of the MOBI file by default. Calibre has a checkbox allowing me to transfer that ToC page to the very beginning of the MOBI file. However, then the ToC follows the cover image, but precedes the title page. I'd like it to follow the title page. Is there an easy way to move the ToC so that it follows the title page? I know that in Mobipocket Creator, it's possible to reorder the sequence of the files, which is exactly what I would need to perform here: a simple shift of the ToC page by one position. However, there does not seem to be a way to open a Calibre-created MOBI file in Mobipocket Creator and move the ToC that way.

Can this be accomplished somehow, or do I need to forget about Calibre entirely, just because of the undesirable placement of the ToC page, forcing me to start creating the MOBI book from scratch in Mobipocket Creator from the original HTML files?

Thank you for any help.

[eschwartz]

If you want to edit the resulting file (you can use calibre's builtin editor), you need to use AZW3 instead of MOBI. Then you could just drag and drop the files into order.

...

Since your profile says you have Kindle DX & 3, I guess that isn't very useful.

[Faterson]

Thank you for the reply. I suppose converting from AZW3 to MOBI, in Calibre or elsewhere, after the ToC has been moved to its desired location, is not a solution? I'm afraid Calibre would once again only present me with the two "extreme" choices for ToC location: the very end of the file, or the very beginning of the file (right after the cover picture).

If all else fails, I will need to abandon Calibre for MOBI conversions, and will need to tackle Mobipocket Creator or Kindlegen. I, for myself, do not care about the exact location of the ToC in a MOBI file (I'm fine with it being located at the end), but others might object to seeing it at the very end or the very beginning of the MOBI file – it doesn't look very professional. Yes, MOBI is an outdated format, but for backwards compatibility with older reading devices*, as you said, I'm afraid you can't afford to ignore it.

* or, indeed, with Kindle apps on iOS and Android devices that do not seem to be supporting the sideloading of AZW/AZW3/KF8 files, either – only MOBI files

[Faterson]

The issue is now resolved. very much for the AZW3 hint, eschwartz, which set me off in the right direction. Here is how it can be accomplished:

1. Convert your HTML file into AZW3 in Calibre.
2. Using Calibre's editor, move the ToC section to wherever you would like to have it in your e-book, then save the AZW3 file.
3. Perform an AZW3 to MOBI conversion in Calibre. Somewhat illogically, check the Do not add Table of Contents to book option on the MOBI Output settings screen.
4. Voilà! The MOBI file has retained the ToC location from the AZW3 file without adding any additonal ToC screen to the beginning or ending of the MOBI file – and the ToC menu button is functional as well.

[eschwartz]

The only reason not to convert to AZW3 or EPUB in between is simply because at a certain point I think using Mobipocket creator would actually be faster. But it does work.