PDF to Text

Laura81 · 11-01-2009, 06:14 AM

Hi all,

I am new to calibre and used it to convert a couple PDF files to text. When I did this it replaced the " mark with a ?. This is highly frustrating when trying to read. For example: Danielle said, "I don't want to go." Now looks like ?I don't want to go?. Is there any way to fix this? Or does it just not convert PDF files very well.

Thanks.

jackie_w · 11-01-2009, 02:21 PM

Hi Laura,
Have you tried running the PDF to TXT conversion with the
Convert E-books/Look-and-Feel/Transliterate unicode chars to ASCII
box checked?
Your curly smart-quotes should then look like standard straight quotes.

regards, Jackie

Laura81 · 11-01-2009, 11:24 PM

I haven't tried that. I didn't actually touch any of the settings so I'll look into that. Thanks so much!

daelic · 02-14-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

Hi Laura,
Have you tried running the PDF to TXT conversion with the
Convert E-books/Look-and-Feel/Transliterate unicode chars to ASCII
box checked?
Your curly smart-quotes should then look like standard straight quotes.

regards, Jackie

I'm having the same problem... I just tried this, but it didn't improve much.

Examples:

in the source PDF:
"Thank you," I whispered to the moon.

When converted to epub:
?Thank you,? I whispered to the moon.

When converted to text with the Transliterate option selected:
--Thank you,|| I whispered to the moon.

I guess this at least lets me do a global search & replace on -- & || to change them to ".

moogoogai · 02-15-2010, 04:09 AM

Instead of TXT try the RTF option and much of the unicode stuff will clear up: provided RTF will work.

daelic · 02-18-2010, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moogoogai

Instead of TXT try the RTF option and much of the unicode stuff will clear up: provided RTF will work.

I completely missed RTF as an output option, I'll give that a try... thanks!

11-01-2009, 06:14 AM	#1
Laura81 Addict Posts: 360 Karma: 407796 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Device: Paperwhite 5	PDF to Text Hi all, I am new to calibre and used it to convert a couple PDF files to text. When I did this it replaced the " mark with a ?. This is highly frustrating when trying to read. For example: Danielle said, "I don't want to go." Now looks like ?I don't want to go?. Is there any way to fix this? Or does it just not convert PDF files very well. Thanks.

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11-01-2009, 02:21 PM	#2
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,251 Karma: 16539642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E, LibraCol, PBTouchHD3	Hi Laura, Have you tried running the PDF to TXT conversion with the Convert E-books/Look-and-Feel/Transliterate unicode chars to ASCII box checked? Your curly smart-quotes should then look like standard straight quotes. regards, Jackie

11-01-2009, 11:24 PM	#3
Laura81 Addict Posts: 360 Karma: 407796 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Device: Paperwhite 5	I haven't tried that. I didn't actually touch any of the settings so I'll look into that. Thanks so much!

02-15-2010, 04:09 AM	#5
moogoogai Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle DX	Instead of TXT try the RTF option and much of the unicode stuff will clear up: provided RTF will work.

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