Feature Request: Preserve HTML Comments in EPUB->DOCX Conversion

[Tex2002ans]

In an EPUB->DOCX conversion, would it be possible add a checkbox to convert HTML comments into DOCX comments?

Example Input

<p>This is paragraph 1.</p>

<!-- This is a comment on Paragraph 2. -->

<p>This is paragraph 2.</p>

<!-- Capitalize this. -->

<p>this is paragraph 3.</p>

Example Output

[kovidgoyal]

It's rather a lot of work, HTML comments and DOCX comments are implemented very differently. Why do you need it?

[Tex2002ans]

Well my current workflow does a lot of:

1. EPUB/HTML Cleanup
--- I compile a list of fixes that the Editor may need to look at.
2. Calibre: EPUB -> DOCX
3. DOCX file gets sent over to an Editor
--- I send my notes as a separate TXT/email.
--- They may add Word Comments for things I need to correct in ebook.
4. Calibre: DOCX (Edited) -> EPUB
5. Finalize EPUB

Being able to pass these comments back/forth without clogging up the book with visible HTML or a separate document would be very helpful:

1. EPUB/HTML Cleanup
--- I leave HTML Comments as I spot things that may need correction.
2. Calibre: EPUB -> DOCX
--- DOCX has my comments
3. DOCX file gets sent over to an Editor
--- They add/remove Word Comments
4. Calibre: DOCX (Edited) -> EPUB
5. Finalize EPUB

Side Note: Also helpful because you don't have to touch the DOCX or an office suite. You can just stay completely in Calibre/Sigil.

* * *

Another use-case I can think of is formulas:

If there is an image of a formula, I tend to leave the LaTeX version of the equation as HTML Comments:

<!-- \vec{F}=m\vec{a} -->

<img src="Formula1.png" alt="Force equals mass times acceleration" />

This kind of information gets lost in an EPUB->DOCX conversion, but would be helpful if someone who works in Word (or other tools) has to recreate the image/equation.

* * *

This kind of stuff would be very helpful for getting it into DOCX comments, which can then be imported into Google Docs. Then multiple people could work on corrections simultaneously.

* * *

I may read an ebook on my phone and catch errors.

On the phone, I don't have access to a bloated office suite, nor would I want to read in one!

I tend to use HTML comments directly in the file instead of highlights:

<!-- Missing Year. -->

<p>Last, First. <i>Book Title</i>. London: Publisher, . p. 123.</p>

I could easily load that file into the computer and Calibre -> DOCX.

Highlights aren't typically very portable between devices/formats. While HTML Comments won't be going anywhere (but are invisible).

[kovidgoyal]

OK open a ticket for it, and I'll look into it in detail when I have some time. I cant make any promises though as if the mismatch between the commenting models is too large, it might not be worth the effort.