5.31.1 will not import from single folder

[abrogard]

I just upgraded to 5.31.1.

I find it will import books from 'folder and subfolders' but it will not import from a single folder.

I can use the key 'A' and it will start the process, throwing up the folder tree but it will not allow me to choose a folder.

Whatever I click on it will not go into the selected field and therefore we stop right there.

If I change to add book from folder and subfolders it will work on the folder happily.

[kovidgoyal]

What operating system and the file picker is from the operating system not calibre. You can bypass problems with operating system file pickers by setting the CALIBRE_NO_NATIVE_FILEDIALOGS environment variable as decribed here: https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cus...ment-variables

[abrogard]

Thank you for that kovid. I should have mentioned it is win10.
I will find the envir var and set it. regards.

[BetterRed]

Works for me on Win10 Version 21H1 build 19043.1288

Do you use a file manager that has an option to replace File Explorer's dialogues, such as Directory Opus or xplorer² Pro. If you do, try disabling that option.

BR

[abrogard]

HMM. no, no file manager, just win explorer.

these env variables. System var or User var? what name? what value?

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by abrogard

HMM. no, no file manager, just win explorer.

these env variables. System var or User var? what name? what value?

Customizing calibre — calibre 5.31.1 documentation

User variables

are there any ebook files in the folder



Try changing the file type selector to All files

BR

[PeterT]

@betterred Speaking for myself, I'm back to experiencing this exact issue. It's weird in that for many months all works perfectly, then all of a sudden it stops working and I have to set the environment variable.

I've yet to figure out what happens to cause it to stop working.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[abrogard]

User variable. thanks.
What name do I give the variable? I mean is that the name? Or I give any name and that is the 'value' ?

all kinds of files in the folder. It is a subfolder in my windows 'downloads' folder. I create them from time to time and shunt all the downloads off into them to clear a space.

so there's everything/anything in there.

p.s. the problem comes before any question of file types. the system won't allow that folder name into the selected file field.

Or any folder name. I should make that clear. It's any folder. I can't get it to accept a 'single folder' add books thing.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by PeterT

@betterred Speaking for myself, I'm back to experiencing this exact issue. It's weird in that for many months all works perfectly, then all of a sudden it stops working and I have to set the environment variable.

I've yet to figure out what happens to cause it to stop working.

Weird - must be a common glitch on your's and abrogard's setups.

And if it comes and goes, that's even weirder.

Have you tried Safe Mode?

Originally Posted by abrogard

User variable. thanks.
What name do I give the variable? I mean is that the name? Or I give any name and that is the 'value' ?

all kinds of files in the folder. It is a subfolder in my windows 'downloads' folder. I create them from time to time and shunt all the downloads off into them to clear a space.

so there's everything/anything in there.

p.s. the problem comes before any question of file types. the system won't allow that folder name into the selected file field.

Or any folder name. I should make that clear. It's any folder. I can't get it to accept a 'single folder' add books thing.

FWIW I don't use the Add Books dialogues, I prefer using File Explorer->Send To to add books.

BR

[abrogard]

Thanks for that. I just tried the explorer trick and nothing happened. Nothing appeared to happen. And I guess if it had really sent to calibre.exe calibre would have opened.

Thanks for the tip about the variable naming. I guess I've learned something there. Set as '1' means 'true' I guess so it's always set.

I'll have another go at setting it and see if it works now.

[BetterRed]

If you want to try my trick, you need to have a shortcut to calibre.exe in the SendTo folder. Easiest way to find the folder is WinKey+R, type shell:sendto and press Enter.

Create a shortcut on your desktop and move it to the sendto folder.

BR

[abrogard]

okay. I'll try that. wouldn't mind knowing some of the technicalities behind it all....

[BetterRed]

Behind what specifically?

Environment variables have been a feature of just about every OS since the 1960s, They're data items that have a label and a value that executing programs can access at run time. See ==>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_variable

Windows Explorer->Send To first surfaced in Windows 95 in the mid 1990s. It is implemented via a folder of shortcuts (destination folders or programs) that is stored in a specific location, usually C:\Users\<xxxxxx>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo. It's similar to the 'Desktop', but it is accessed via File Explorer - so data can be sent to a program rather than fetched by program.

BR

[abrogard]

I meant specifically your 'trick'. Like why doesn't 'send to' work when I send to calibre.exe right there on win10's win explorer list of where I could send - but it works if I follow your directions?

[BetterRed]

There is no 'trick'.

AFAIK Calibre won't be in the Send To menu unless there is a shortcut to calibre.exe in the Send To folder, and I'm pretty sure calibre itself doesn't add it at install time.

Could you post a screen shot of what doesn't work.

The boxed items in the attached screen shot were added by me, I'm not sure about the Evernote item, I may have added it, or the Evernote install might have added it. Can't recall why I added Books (it's a calibre library), but I will get rid of it, sending anything there will 'corrupt' the library

BR