Showing Kindle books in Calibre

[polli]

I have used Calibre for a long while But mainly to add epub books..
I have now got a few of the same books in Kindles.
How do I add them to Calibre when a message comes up saying that title is already there?
One I managed to add last week shows as jpeg I added. But greyed out. Don't understand that. Why is it not blue as kindle?
When epub is dark black.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by polli

I have used Calibre for a long while But mainly to add epub books..
I have now got a few of the same books in Kindles.
How do I add them to Calibre when a message comes up saying that title is already there?
One I managed to add last week shows as jpeg I added. But greyed out. Don't understand that. Why is it not blue as kindle?
When epub is dark black.

@polli - I'm guessing you're using Windows something.

The simplest way to add an additional format to an existing book is to select (highlight) the book in the book list, then drag and drop the additional format from file manager (or desktop) onto the book details panel -- normally a sidebar on the right side of window, unless you set it to display at the bottom.

If you can't see the book details sidebar panel press Alt+Shift+D.

I don't understand what you mean not being blue like Kindle - if you're referring to the fact that the AZW3 file doesn't have an icon, that's because AZW3 doesn't have a default file association for the Open verb. You can set those in Control Panel->Default programs.


The only thing that looks like a jpg in your image is the file called cover, which is present in all book files and is always a jpg. Can I suggest you change Folder Options-View to not Hide extensions for known file types.

BR

[theducks]

2 way different things here.
Bad Icon (assignment)
Adding another Format to an existing record.
BR's way is great for small quantities, AND for UPDATING the format copy you do have.

Look at Preferences: Adding Books: Automerge added books if the already exist

Something else (Windows Program) took over the Icon for EPUB or it was never assigned (which is the most likely case). I assigned the e-book VIEWER from Calibre2 to Open EPUB file type using (in W10) the Contol Panel: File Explorer Options: (they have seemed to have hidden the Change the Icon for a File type ) Default Programs: Set Default Programs

[polli]

Yes I use Windows 7
Sorry I don't understand
Firstly why the kindle icon is different though in calibre (in the kindle folder it is blue) and secondly how I add the kindle book when I already have the epub version in calibre.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by polli

Yes I use Windows 7
Sorry I don't understand
Firstly why the kindle icon is different though in calibre (in the kindle folder it is blue) and secondly how I add the kindle book when I already have the epub version in calibre.

I am guessing by in "the kindle folder' you are referring to what you see in one of the Kindle programs - maybe the Kindle Reading App.

The icons shown on files in Windows Explorer is the icon associated with program that Opens the file. The program you use to open a given file type is configured for your computer. So you might have your computer configured to open PDF files with Acrobat, hence your PDF files will show an icon something like this



I open PDF files with PDF xchange so my PDF files show an icon something like this



Of the 25 program icons I have on my task bar alone, 7 are predominantly blue. So describing things in terms of icon colours is not very helpful. This is what an AZW3 file looks like on my computer



Which is the same as what you posted before, its 'blank' because I haven't told Windows what program to use for opening AZW3 files - because I never wanted to open one from Windows Explorer.

The easiest way to add an AZW3 file to an existing book, that already has an ePUB is like this



A single book can have many different types of ebook format files, but only one of each ebook type - ie one ePUB, and one AZW3, and one PDF etc.

BR

[polli]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I am guessing by in "the kindle folder' you are referring to what you see in one of the Kindle programs - maybe the Kindle Reading App.

Hi I am referring to the Kindle for pc.

The icons shown on files in Windows Explorer is the icon associated with program that Opens the file. The program you use to open a given file type is configured for your computer. So you might have your computer configured to open PDF files with Acrobat, hence your PDF files will show an icon something like this

You must think I am really thick lol. I know this about pdfs word docs mp3s etc that the program that opens them has its own icon.
But thought for some reason kindle files stayed blue. I don't understand why they will not open though when they are not.

Attachment 147791

I open PDF files with PDF xchange so my PDF files show an icon something like this

Attachment 147792

Of the 25 program icons I have on my task bar alone, 7 are predominantly blue. So describing things in terms of icon colours is not very helpful. Sorry This is what an AZW3 file looks like on my computer

Attachment 147794

Which is the same as what you posted before, its 'blank' because I haven't told Windows what program to use for opening AZW3 files - because I never wanted to open one from Windows Explorer.

The easiest way to add an AZW3 file to an existing book, that already has an ePUB is like this

Attachment 147795


A single book can have many different types of ebook format files, but only one of each ebook type - ie one ePUB, and one AZW3, and one PDF etc.

BR

Now I am stuck here. Uploaded at clip of my calibre window. Where do I drag to, and also say I want to add a kindle file and an epub file of the same book will I have the title twice in my calibre list?
As I say I have had calibre ages
But only imported mainly epubs
Now I want to import a kindle book occasionally also.

[theducks]

if you wish to add the Kindle edition to that (epub) title, just drag the AZW3 or Mobi to the space under the cover ON THE RIGHT (since that is where your details show, mine is on the bottom)

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by polli

Now I am stuck here. Uploaded at clip of my calibre window. Where do I drag to, and also say I want to add a kindle file and an epub file of the same book will I have the title twice in my calibre list?
As I say I have had calibre ages
But only imported mainly epubs
Now I want to import a kindle book occasionally also.

@polli - you have to drag drop the AZW3 file from somewhere, such as a folder you have open in Windows Explorer or the Desktop, viz:



Perhaps you're not familiar with drag drop or like me you're mouse averse, so here's another way.

Highlight the book to which you want to add the the AZW3. Press Shift+A, this will open a Windows Explorer window, I can't predict where, but it might be something like this:



Navigate to the location (in my case it's to the New Folder on the Desktop) where you have the AZW3 stored, thus:



Select the AZW3 and press Enter.

BR

[MartyTX]

Hi polli,

The last posts from BetterRed and theducks are pretty clear about adding a book with a different format, but if you have any questions, please post back.

I use a "playground" calibre library for testing book format. I've put a book titled "All Books" in the library. It has 3 formats of the same book.

I've attached 3 pictures ... if you still have questions, just holler back!

I run an OLD version of calibre on an OLD Vista PC. Your screens may not be exactly the same as mine.

Marty

[BetterRed]

@polli - Sorry I missed your in-line responses.

Hi I am referring to the Kindle for pc.

The blue icon you see in the Kindle for PC window is put there by the Kindle for PC program. Another program might use a green icon for AZW3 files represented in its window.

Windows Explorer is just another program, it will use the icon of the program that has been configured as the Default program to open a given file type, on your system there is no Default program defined for AZW3 files, hence the blank icon in Windows explorer. That doesn't matter, the file name and extension is what matters, the icon is mere decoration.

You must think I am really thick lol. I know this about pdfs word docs mp3s etc that the program that opens them has its own icon.
But thought for some reason kindle files stayed blue. I don't understand why they will not open though when they are not.

Not at all, I never assume people are thick. I just assume they don't know how the operating system, the file system, and application programs interoperate.

If you want AZW3 files to open with Kindle for PC, right click an AZW3 and select Open, Windows Explorer will then allow you to browse to the Kindle for PC program, it may be in some obscure non standard location - IIRC their Previewer gets buried in %appdata%.

Or maybe the program has a setting to associate itself with Kindle file types.

Perhaps someone who uses Kindle for PC can better advise.

BR

[theducks]

If you DO NOT want Calibre to open AZW3 files it has INSIDE the Library

Preferences: Behavior: Use Internal Viewer for: Remove the TICK next to AZW3 (Mobi, and any other Amazon formats you do not want Calibres viewer for)

Note. Calibre has its own INTERNAL Icon set for books it shows. Currently the amazon logo

[MartyTX]

Originally Posted by theducks

Preferences: Behavior: Use Internal Viewer for: Remove the TICK next to AZW3 (Mobi, and any other Amazon formats you do not want Calibres viewer for)

Impressive memory! Had totally forgotten about that!

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by theducks

If you DO NOT want Calibre to open AZW3 files it has INSIDE the Library

Preferences: Behavior: Use Internal Viewer for: Remove the TICK next to AZW3 (Mobi, and any other Amazon formats you do not want Calibres viewer for)

Note. Calibre has its own INTERNAL Icon set for books it shows. Currently the amazon logo

And if you have file types in the library that have a question mark icon, or you don't like the icons calibre uses you can add/replace images named as the extension.png (e.g. mobi.png) to %appdata%\calibre\resources\images\mimetypes . Example this is my one.png for Onenote .one files.



Great example of Kovid's impressive attention to detail.

BR

[theducks]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Great example of Kovid's impressive attention to detail.

BR

Hear! Hear!

[polli]

Originally Posted by theducks

if you wish to add the Kindle edition to that (epub) title, just drag the AZW3 or Mobi to the space under the cover ON THE RIGHT (since that is where your details show, mine is on the bottom)

That didn't seem to work