Importing Books-- often Unknown by Unknown

[MarjaE]

Hi,

I've run into a problem when importing books into Calibre.

Sometimes it detects accurate metadata, and it's easy to keep track of which book is which.

More often it detects inaccurate metadata.

Most often it detects *no* metadata, and I get a string of "Unknown" by "Unknown" and have to figure out which books are which.

I could switch preferences > import > read metadata from file contents off. But when the files do contain accurate metadata, that means retyping that metadata.

Is there some way to import from file contents, if available, and import the file name to "title," if not?

or "full title"?

If it helps, I have 2 title columns. I usually copy the original title to "full title" and sometimes add a shorter title to "title" to avoid export issues. I would be happy to import metadata as usual and import the file name to "full title".

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by MarjaE

Hi,

I've run into a problem when importing books into Calibre.

Sometimes it detects accurate metadata, and it's easy to keep track of which book is which.

More often it detects inaccurate metadata.

Most often it detects *no* metadata, and I get a string of "Unknown" by "Unknown" and have to figure out which books are which.

I could switch preferences > import > read metadata from file contents off. But when the files do contain accurate metadata, that means retyping that metadata.

Is there some way to import from file contents, if available, and import the file name to "title," if not?

or "full title"?

If it helps, I have 2 title columns. I usually copy the original title to "full title" and sometimes add a shorter title to "title" to avoid export issues. I would be happy to import metadata as usual and import the file name to "full title".

FWIW - two things come to mind:

• maybe you could make use of the GetFileName plug to help differentiate between multiple Unknown Unknowns;
• and the button at bottom-left corner of the formats box in single metadata edit will extract the metadata from the selected format.

BR

[MarjaE]

Thanks.

I can't find any "plugs" for adding books. I can't edit the regex because of the blinding cursor.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by MarjaE

Thanks.

I can't find any "plugs" for adding books. I can't edit the regex because of the blinding cursor.

GetFileName is a File Type plugin ==>> GetFileName, it can be configured to put the file name (path), extension, and file modified date into custom columns.

So, if the Add creates an Unknown Unknown you'll at least know the file name (path), which may give you a clue as to the author and title.

I'm unsure of your 'regex' editing issue, neither the plugin nor the extract metadata button require any regex?

---

FTR: Before I add a file (to an Intake library), I edit its file name to "author - title" and use one of the built-in templates. That ensures I don't end up with any Unknown Unknowns, and it also helps avoid duplicates. I occasionally use the extract metadata button in single metadata edit, but mostly I fill in the 'blanks' by editing the book list cells directly.

I have GetFileName plugin configured store the file path and extension in a custom column. From that I know what format I originally added, and the originating path gives me indication of its source.

BR

[MarjaE]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

GetFileName is a File Type plugin ==>> GetFileName, it can be configured to put the file name (path), extension, and file modified date into custom columns.

So, if the Add creates an Unknown Unknown you'll at least know the file name (path), which may give you a clue as to the author and title.

Thanks! That's exactly what I've been looking for!

I'm unsure of your 'regex' editing issue, neither the plugin nor the extract metadata button require any regex?

In Preferences > Adding Books, which seemed the obvious place to look.

FTR: Before I add a file (to an Intake library), I edit its file name to "author - title" and use one of the built-in templates. That ensures I don't end up with any Unknown Unknowns, and it also helps avoid duplicates. I occasionally use the extract metadata button in single metadata edit, but mostly I fill in the 'blanks' by editing the book list cells directly.

I have GetFileName plugin configured store the file path and extension in a custom column. From that I know what format I originally added, and the originating path gives me indication of its source.

BR

Thans again. I often import the originals of epubs and mobis. I pre-process pdfs, but I prefer to keep their names similar to the originals, and add them to the same archives as the originals so I can easily see which originals have processed versions added to Calibre. And with which processing options. And which don't.