[GUI Plugin] ePub Extended Metadata

[un_pogaz]

ePub Extended Metadata is a plugin whose objective is to allow to read and write a wider range of ePub metadata according to the ePub standard.

• Read and write contributors <dc:contributor> in columns (type names)

Once the different metadata is set, you will be able to import or embed its advanced metadata in your ePub in one click.

It is also possible to activate the automatic import/reading of its metadata when adding a book to your library.
Also, it is possible to activate a automatic integration of them at the same time as the default Calibre Embed action, without having to specifically activate.
Of course, other metadata not set in your plugin are kept.

Note:

1. the setting of "ePub Extended Metadata" is done by Library.
2. "ePub Extended Metadata" came with 2 companion plugin "ePub Extended Metadata {Reader}" and "ePub Extended Metadata {Writer}" that are auto-installed, so do not be surprised to see them appear, it means the plugin has been properly installed.
3. The plugin use customs colums "Comma separated text, like tags", with the option "Contains names" checked to make the value separated by a Ampersand & (like Authors).

Credits:

• The MARC Code associated name and decriptions are extracted from the Sigil code source (with minor edit)
• Some translation of the MARC Code are also based on the translation made for Sigil (language: FR)

Installation
Open Preferences -> Plugins -> Get new plugins and install the "ePub Extended Metadata" plugin.
You may also download the attached zip file and install the plugin manually, then restart calibre as described in the Introduction to plugins thread

The plugin works for Calibre 5 and later.

Page: GitHub | MobileRead

Note for those who wish to provide a translation:
I am French! Although for obvious reasons, the default language of the plugin is English, keep in mind that already a translation.

Version History:

Spoiler:

version 0.11.4 - 2024/07/29
Bug fixes

• Fix error for importing Authors-like values

version 0.11.3 - 2024/07/28
Bug fixes

• Fix only one book updated when import Extended Metadata

version 0.11.2 - 2024/02/19
Bug fixes

• Fix some untranslated string

version 0.11.1 - 2024/01/27
Bug fixes

• Fix wrong text display when customizing keyboard shortcut

version 0.11.0 - 2023/11/17
Changed

• Drop Python 2 / Calibre 4 compatibility, only Calibre 5 and above

version 0.10.2 - 2023/09/25
Bug fixes

• fix a python2 imcopatibility

version 0.10.1 - 2023/09/13
Bug fixes

• Don't update the config file when Calibre start

version 0.10.0 - 2023/08/31
Bug fixes

• fix duplicate contributor for ePub 2

version 0.9.0 - 2022/10/19
Changed

• Again, big rework of common_utils (use submodule)

version 0.8.1 - 2022/10/17
Bug fixes

• Fix a error when a user categorie exist in the library

version 0.8.0 - 2022/10/11
Changed

• Big rework of common_utils.py

version 0.7.2 - 2022/09/08
Bug fixes

• Icon not display when a theme colors is used

version 0.7.1 - 2022/08/16
Bug fixes

• Use literal in ePubExtendedMetadata class

version 0.7.0 - 2022/08/16
Changed

• Back to the embeded companion plugin, more stable

version 0.6.0 - 2022/02/11
Changed

• Moving the Metadata Reader & Writer into bundled plugins automatically installed in parallel with ePub Extended Metadata

version 0.5.0 - 2022/02/01
First release

• Beta public test

[un_pogaz]

reserverd for futur usage

[jktrigg]

Is this open source? Is there a public repository? (It has potential for something I'd like to see, and I'd contribute code back if it worked...)

[un_pogaz]

Yep GitHub here
It would be a pleasure.
Thanks.

In ePub2, I don't seem to have missed anything. If so I would take courage to do so.
But the specific ePub3... one day but not today for me.

[jktrigg]

Just to be clear, what I want to add is importing metadata from the title page. I have an archive of ~7000 fanfics from a no longer functioning site. The epubs have no metadata, but the title page has plenty... I want to scan the title page for things like characters, relationships, etc.+

[un_pogaz]

I'm afraid I have to refuse.
The plugin "ePub Extended Metadata" is intended to read ONLY the metadatas defined in the ePub standard, and thus in the OPF. And nowhere else.

I suggest you open a new thread in Calibre>Géneral or Calibre>Library Management, and explaining in detail your situation, with an example of the source file and the information to be extracted (maybe several).
It's probably possible to do this programmatically, with a python script, but this is not the right place to this.

Good luck and have a nice day.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jktrigg

Just to be clear, what I want to add is importing metadata from the title page. I have an archive of ~7000 fanfics from a no longer functioning site. The epubs have no metadata, but the title page has plenty... I want to scan the title page for things like characters, relationships, etc.+

Did you actually read the books these fanfics are based on?

[Alinara]

I have custom colums but I can not select any column in the column piker its just emty.
I have calibre 6.29 installed Screenshot: https://ibb.co/rFRWd2H

[un_pogaz]

Originally Posted by Alinara

I have custom colums but I can not select any column in the column piker its just emty.
I have calibre 6.29 installed Screenshot: https://ibb.co/rFRWd2H

Have you create the custom colums has "Comma separated text, like tags", and check "Contains names" to that make the value separated by a Ampersand & ? (that the only type of colums you can select in the piker)

[Alinara]

I changed my language to English now I found these custom colums options.

Thank you very much. I am from Germany so I got that point wrong because of the language barrier.

Maybe I understand your plugin still wrong? I thought if I convert a file to epub and check "Insert metadata as page at start of book"
that the selected metadata are written on this page in my new converted book.
But can not find it in the converted epub near title, publisher and date.

[un_pogaz]

Oh no no.
You talk about the Jacket feature.

My plugin is to insert metadata inside the OPF file of the ePub. It realy technical feature and probably not what you search.

To insert a Jacket (that contain metadata) as page at start of book, you need to use the tool "Polish book" and select the option "Add/replace metadata as a "book jacket" page".
You can edit and personalize the content of this Jacket page, but I recomend you to start a new thread.

[w00dent0p]

When creating the custom column, Calibre offers a Column type "Comma separated text, like tags, shown in the Tag browser". Is this the one to use? I don't see the type "Comma separated text, like tags".

Also what Lookup name should I use? Do I need to create one column for each item of metadata, each with its own Lookup name?

When does the plugin integrate any modified metadata back to the EPUB? You mentioned the default Calibre Embed action, but I don't know what this is. Is it the same as running Polish?

Not much instruction, so I'm struggling a little ;-)

Thanks!!

[un_pogaz]

Originally Posted by w00dent0p

When creating the custom column, Calibre offers a Column type "Comma separated text, like tags, shown in the Tag browser". Is this the one to use? I don't see the type "Comma separated text, like tags".

On the creation/edit of your custom column, check the control "Contain Names"

Originally Posted by w00dent0p

Also what Lookup name should I use? Do I need to create one column for each item of metadata, each with its own Lookup name?

Yes.

Originally Posted by w00dent0p

When does the plugin integrate any modified metadata back to the EPUB? You mentioned the default Calibre Embed action, but I don't know what this is. Is it the same as running Polish?

Default Calibre Embed action to the left.
The update metadata in Polish action call them internaly.

And the Extended Metadata are integrated if the plugin "ePub Extended Metadata {Writer}" is activated. You can control that in the config dialog with the button "Automatic embed" (green dot, active / red dot, inactive)

[d3m0sth3n3s]

Wow! I made this feature request back in the day and I didn’t know you had coded the plugin as you said you would. I’ve just found it. Thank you for your effort!

I’ve got one problem, though. When I import the extended metadata, it does not work for a selection of books. Only the last one of them is actually modified with the imported metadata, the rest of them are left untouched.

[un_pogaz]

You're welcome, it's a good project.

What? No way, I couldn't let such a mistake happen!
*test*
Oh s***.
*hot fix*
Voilà. Version updated, thank for the report (plus it's was really stupid mistake, damn it).