I can't figure out the Format column.

[agentmick]

Hey all, sorry if this question has been answered already - I've looked all over but haven't been able to find something dumbed down enough to meet my needs

I have over 400 ebooks in my calibre library, and I've decided to start adding "empty" entries for my physical and audiobooks as well, so I can see my whole library at a glance. I'd like to add the format column to the main page so I can tell if the book is indeed an ebook and in what format I have it.

I have not yet added any books other than ebooks to my calibre library, but the format column is still empty for most. When I attempt to edit the metadata and input the format, calibre opens a file explorer window and asks me to open... something. What is it I'm trying to open here that will provide the correct format information to the format column?

As you can tell, I'm by no means a power-user, but calibre is such a useful tool I'd love to get more familiar with how it works. If anyone has advice on this or other neat sorting/storing non-ebook ideas, I'd love to hear them.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by agentmick

Hey all, sorry if this question has been answered already - I've looked all over but haven't been able to find something dumbed down enough to meet my needs

I have over 400 ebooks in my calibre library, and I've decided to start adding "empty" entries for my physical and audiobooks as well, so I can see my whole library at a glance. I'd like to add the format column to the main page so I can tell if the book is indeed an ebook and in what format I have it.

I have not yet added any books other than ebooks to my calibre library, but the format column is still empty for most.

How are you adding the e-books to the library that have no format files? The 'normal' methods to add an e-book to a library is via adding a format file.

Originally Posted by agentmick

When I attempt to edit the metadata and input the format, calibre opens a file explorer window and asks me to open... something. What is it I'm trying to open here that will provide the correct format information to the format column?

The Add button in metadata edit is typically used to add an additional format to an existing book -- so, you need to browse to and select the file you want to Add to the book - e.g. let's say you have already created an entry for Wind in the Willows in your library by Adding an EPUB, and now you want to add a Wind in the Willows CBZ comic format file.

IMO: the simplest way to add a format file to an existing book is to drag/drop it into the book details panel (the left sidebar) and confirm you want to add it.

Drag/drop is also easier of you want to add a non-ebook file. Example: to create a library entry for a paper book you could drag/drop a file called 'dummy.paper' into the book list and then edit the Title and Author via F2. Aside: rather than drag/drop I use Windows File Explorer->Send to->calibre.exe.

I do something similar for Audio books, Example if there's only one audio file I Send the audio file (e.g. MP3) to calibre which creates the book with an MP3 format.

If there are multiple audio files I do the following:

• create a paper book as above - as place holder;
• edit the title and author in the book list;
• open the book's data folder (for me that's Alt+O);
• copy the audio files into the data folder;
• create a playlist for those files;
• add that playlist file (e.g. M3U) to the book (I do a copy in File Explorer followed by a paste in Calibre);
• delete the .PAPER format.

BR

[Karellen]

Instead of adding a format column, you could colour code your entries. See image...

Attachment 193986

[dunhill]

I have a personal column for Audio formats as seen in image 1
With this in Template
program:cmp(count(template('[[format]]'), ','), 1, 'no', in_list(template('[[format]]'), ',', 'Ogg', 'Yes', 'no', ',', 'M3u', 'Yes', 'no', ',', 'M4a', 'Yes', 'no', ',', 'Mp3', 'Yes', 'no'), 'no')

And for paper book formats a column as seen in image 2
With this code in Template
program:
my_formats = 'pdf,mobi,azw3,azw,cbr,cbz,m4b,epub,fb2';
if list_intersection(lowercase($formats), my_formats, ',') then
'no'
else
'Yes'
fi

[Comfy.n]

I'm using this template language function in order to have a sortable Formats column:

{:'re(approximate_formats(), ',', ', ')'}

as documented here: https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gen...ximate-formats



For empty entries (no electronic formats), I'm adding a dummy MD format:

[BetterRed]

In recent versions of calibre, Formats can be shown in the Book list without use of the approximate-formats template function in a custom column. It can't be changed of course other than by adding or removing a format file.

AFAICT is was introduced in version 6.?? - i.e. it's not present in version 5.44

BR

[Comfy.n]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

In recent versions of calibre, Formats can be shown in the Book list without use of the approximate-formats template function in a custom column. It can't be changed of course other than by adding or removing a format file.

AFAICT is was introduced in version 6.?? - i.e. it's not present in version 5.44

BR

oh well, in fact I just noticed that the out-of-the-box Formats column, which I had hidden in my setup, can be sorted. Then I might delete the custom one for performance, I'll think about it, thanks!

edit: I think I can't delete my custom Formats column (the one with the template function) because it makes it easier to filter formats from the Book Details pane...

[BetterRed]

@Comfy.n - my reply wasn't a direct response to your post.

After re-reading the opening post, I realised the originator might have been referring to something I hadn't noticed until today - a built in Formats/formats column. I should have noticed it sooner - from its presence in the L&F->Book details lists.

BR

[theducks]

I simply use VL's (Virtual Libraries) for this. No custom columns (for that) needed.

No Formats (VL)

(formats:false and not #master:LNK)

#master is where I log the original start. LNK is what I log when I used EPUBSPLIT to make that
I have VL's for: Have Read and To Read (/ Reading) (the filter is #done (a date)

[Bradles]

I don't belive you can edit the Format field, as it automatically displays the formats you have. The button you are clicking is presumably trying to select an ebook file.

I use a custom column that displays a comma-separated list of formats or <NONE> if there are none.

{formats:ifempty(<NONE>)}

See attachments.