Sideloaded randomonly in books or docs

Tarana · 09-11-2016, 10:48 PM

When I sideload books using Calibre, Kindle seems to randomly see them as books or docs. What is the criteria? I would actually like certain things stored as docs, but all books as books. Suggestions? This happens on both my Voyage and Basic Kindle (8).

Guthers · 09-12-2016, 05:23 AM

The key thing is to make sure that Calibre converts them as [EBOK] mobi files instead of [PDOC] mobile files. So...

1. Launch Calibre, and then load the MOBI file to your library via the "Add books" button at the top left of the navigation bar.
2. Select the book from the title list and click "Convert books" from the top nav bar. Make sure at top that "Mobi" is selected in both the "Input format" and "Output format" dropdowns. (Or whatever source you're converting from)
3. A Convert dialog box will open. Click "MOBI Output" in the lefthand pane.
4. In the "Mobi file type" dropdown, choose "both" to ensure compatibility with both newer and older Kindle devices. In the "Personal Doc tag" field, change "[PDOC]" to "[EBOK]" (this is what controls the destination directory on the Kindle).
5. Click OK, and Calibre will convert and output a fresh MOBI. Sideload this to the Kindle as usual, and it should show up in the Books list instead of the Docs list on your device.

One upside to this [EBOC] format is that it will also give you page numbers on your display. Albeit I think the original page numbers in the book - not actual pages on your Kindle.

HarryT · 09-12-2016, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guthers

4. In the "Mobi file type" dropdown, choose "both" to ensure compatibility with both newer and older Kindle devices.

If, as the OP is, you're sideloading books, it's not a good idea to use Dual Mobi. Not only do you end up with files that are twice the size (hence using double the storage space on the Kindle) but Plugboards don't work with Dual Mobi books. I'd suggest personally only using Dual Mobi if you're uploading books to Amazon's Cloud rather than sideloading them onto your Kindle.

Quote:

One upside to this [EBOC] format is that it will also give you page numbers on your display. Albeit I think the original page numbers in the book - not actual pages on your Kindle.

No, they're not original page numbers. They're fake numbers generated by Calibre.

Guthers · 09-12-2016, 07:13 AM

Thanks for the clarifications Harry - useful.

radamo · 09-12-2016, 07:47 AM

So what would the right format selection for a current Kindle such as the voyage. I recently converted some epub books and they all appear in DOCS.

HarryT · 09-12-2016, 07:49 AM

Convert to AZW3. It will preserve all the formatting of the ePub, which Mobi won't.

radamo · 09-12-2016, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Convert to AZW3. It will preserve all the formatting of the ePub, which Mobi won't.

Why did Calibre "preselect" Mobi for Kindle? Isit to enable older Kindles to read them?

...and thanks for the quick response.

HarryT · 09-12-2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radamo

Why did Calibre "preselect" Mobi for Kindle? Isit to enable older Kindles to read them?

Yes, exactly; the same Calibre driver is used for devices from the Kindle 2 onwards. I would suggest going into the Kindle driver in Calibre (Preferences / Advanced / Plug-ins / Device Interface Plug-ins / Kindle 2/3/4...), select "Customize Plug-in", and move the "AZW3" format to the top of the list. That will then make it the default format that Calibre will send to the device. Also, go to "Preferences / Behaviour", and set AZW3 as the default output conversion format.

radamo · 09-16-2016, 06:44 AM

Removed...

HarryT · 09-16-2016, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radamo

But if the AZW3 is used it must be sideloaded (usb). That will negate it being able to be loaded to the kindle cloud for other devices, correct?

Correct, but this is what the OP is doing (and is what I do myself). AZW3 if you sideload; dual Mobi if you're sending to Amazon's Cloud.

09-11-2016, 10:48 PM	#1
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,038 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	Sideloaded randomonly in books or docs When I sideload books using Calibre, Kindle seems to randomly see them as books or docs. What is the criteria? I would actually like certain things stored as docs, but all books as books. Suggestions? This happens on both my Voyage and Basic Kindle (8).

09-12-2016, 05:23 AM	#2
Guthers Member Posts: 15 Karma: 7330 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: KPW3	The key thing is to make sure that Calibre converts them as [EBOK] mobi files instead of [PDOC] mobile files. So... 1. Launch Calibre, and then load the MOBI file to your library via the "Add books" button at the top left of the navigation bar. 2. Select the book from the title list and click "Convert books" from the top nav bar. Make sure at top that "Mobi" is selected in both the "Input format" and "Output format" dropdowns. (Or whatever source you're converting from) 3. A Convert dialog box will open. Click "MOBI Output" in the lefthand pane. 4. In the "Mobi file type" dropdown, choose "both" to ensure compatibility with both newer and older Kindle devices. In the "Personal Doc tag" field, change "[PDOC]" to "[EBOK]" (this is what controls the destination directory on the Kindle). 5. Click OK, and Calibre will convert and output a fresh MOBI. Sideload this to the Kindle as usual, and it should show up in the Books list instead of the Docs list on your device. One upside to this [EBOC] format is that it will also give you page numbers on your display. Albeit I think the original page numbers in the book - not actual pages on your Kindle. Last edited by Guthers; 09-12-2016 at 05:25 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Troubleshooting Kindle WiFi - Sideloaded docs appear only under "Downloaded"	swamp thing	Amazon Kindle	5	06-28-2016 03:09 AM
Touch Getting sideloaded books to show up as books and not documents on Glowlight Plus	apastuszak	Barnes & Noble NOOK	0	12-29-2015 09:55 AM
Books sent to 'Docs' not 'Books' on Kindle Fire	retta001	Library Management	3	08-09-2013 08:05 AM
sideloaded books	lutando	Kindle Fire	1	12-02-2011 04:42 PM
PRS-T1 Syncing from sideloaded books	richkonline	Sony Reader	4	11-21-2011 01:34 PM

09-12-2016, 07:13 AM	#4
Guthers Member Posts: 15 Karma: 7330 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: KPW3	Thanks for the clarifications Harry - useful.

09-12-2016, 07:47 AM	#5
radamo Addict Posts: 331 Karma: 175766 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Device: Oasis 9th Gen	So what would the right format selection for a current Kindle such as the voyage. I recently converted some epub books and they all appear in DOCS.

09-12-2016, 07:49 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Convert to AZW3. It will preserve all the formatting of the ePub, which Mobi won't.

09-16-2016, 06:44 AM	#9
radamo Addict Posts: 331 Karma: 175766 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long Island, NY Device: Oasis 9th Gen	Removed...

Advert

Advert