How to import (reassign) annotations from exported "calibre highlights" json file?

namurai21 · 09-20-2024, 12:50 PM

Hello everyone.

I have a question regarding the method to restore highlights and annotations made in azw format to the converted EPUB format.

The situation is as follows. I carelessly made the annotations on a azw file outside of the Calibre library through the e-book viewer. I have then moved the book to some other directory. Now, the highlights no longer show up when I open the book.

I am aware of the existence of config JSON file (that links the book with absolute path) and have located the config file for that book. I can manually re-write the annotations back into the now converted EPUB version of the book, but I was wondering whether it is somehow possible to programmatically import the annotations back in the book.

I hope I made my query clear.
Any support appreciated.

Comfy.n · 09-20-2024, 01:44 PM

AFAICT, highlights can't be imported in the viewer, only bookmarks. I had wondered that too a while ago.

Welcome to the forum!

namurai21 · 09-24-2024, 09:36 AM

I see. I figured that was the case. Thanks anyways.

And thanks for the kind welcome!

Comfy.n · 09-24-2024, 09:58 AM

Maybe if this thread gets moved into Calibre main forum or Library Management, folks can offer some alternative solution!

SaintGenevieve · Yesterday, 06:52 PM

No idea why this person's post wasn't moved and mine (an introduction, plus a brief rundown of my experience with ereaders and an allusion to the reason I made an account here) was. Oh well!

Comfy.n · Yesterday, 09:04 PM

Anyway, here's an explanation as to why this isn't possible:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=339476
(post #6)

The other day I needed to merge highlights in a rare situation where I was reading in another system location the same book I had already in the library, then I ended up having highlights in two different files.

It would be so much easier if it was possible to copy/paste multiple json nodes at once using a Json editor like this one, however in this case I had to open in a text editor the Json contained in %appdata%\calibre\viewer\annots and manually append the stray highlights I had exported previously.

edit: actually it was a duplicate in my library.

09-20-2024, 12:50 PM	#1
namurai21 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 32220 Join Date: Sep 2024 Device: MacOS, Kindle	How to import (reassign) annotations from exported "calibre highlights" json file? Hello everyone. I have a question regarding the method to restore highlights and annotations made in azw format to the converted EPUB format. The situation is as follows. I carelessly made the annotations on a azw file outside of the Calibre library through the e-book viewer. I have then moved the book to some other directory. Now, the highlights no longer show up when I open the book. I am aware of the existence of config JSON file (that links the book with absolute path) and have located the config file for that book. I can manually re-write the annotations back into the now converted EPUB version of the book, but I was wondering whether it is somehow possible to programmatically import the annotations back in the book. I hope I made my query clear. Any support appreciated.

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09-20-2024, 01:44 PM	#2
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,161 Karma: 6426808 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: Calibre E-book viewer	AFAICT, highlights can't be imported in the viewer, only bookmarks. I had wondered that too a while ago. Welcome to the forum!

09-24-2024, 09:36 AM	#3
namurai21 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 32220 Join Date: Sep 2024 Device: MacOS, Kindle	I see. I figured that was the case. Thanks anyways. And thanks for the kind welcome!

09-24-2024, 09:58 AM	#4
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,161 Karma: 6426808 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: Calibre E-book viewer	Maybe if this thread gets moved into Calibre main forum or Library Management, folks can offer some alternative solution!

Yesterday, 06:52 PM	#5
SaintGenevieve Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Arlington, VA, USA Device: Nook Glowlight 4	No idea why this person's post wasn't moved and mine (an introduction, plus a brief rundown of my experience with ereaders and an allusion to the reason I made an account here) was. Oh well!

Yesterday, 09:04 PM	#6
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,161 Karma: 6426808 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: Calibre E-book viewer	Anyway, here's an explanation as to why this isn't possible: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=339476 (post #6) The other day I needed to merge highlights in a rare situation where I was reading in another system location the same book I had already in the library, then I ended up having highlights in two different files. It would be so much easier if it was possible to copy/paste multiple json nodes at once using a Json editor like this one, however in this case I had to open in a text editor the Json contained in %appdata%\calibre\viewer\annots and manually append the stray highlights I had exported previously. edit: actually it was a duplicate in my library. Last edited by Comfy.n; Yesterday at 09:30 PM.

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