Label length in Edit Metadata screen

[Sweetpea]

I just updated Calibre to version 6 (was running 4). I managed to get most of the layout looking kind of the same as I was used to (and liked), except for one thing. The metadata columns on the Edit Metadata screen. The labels are way too short, especially on my custom metadata columns. A label like "...ra Formats" or "...o location" are not helpful at all... How can I make those labels longer? Searching for editing the editing metadata screen only returns results on how to edit the metadata...

[chaley]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I just updated Calibre to version 6 (was running 4). I managed to get most of the layout looking kind of the same as I was used to (and liked), except for one thing. The metadata columns on the Edit Metadata screen. The labels are way too short, especially on my custom metadata columns. A label like "...ra Formats" or "...o location" are not helpful at all... How can I make those labels longer? Searching for editing the editing metadata screen only returns results on how to edit the metadata...

Preferences / Look & feel / Edit metadata

[Sweetpea]

I did check that, but as it didn't seem to do anything, I had no idea what it did... I also have never heard of the term "elide", so that didn't give a clue either...

Edit: that first checkbox really doesn't seem to do anything, nor the dropdown below it (if I understand the meaning of that "elide" correctly), but at least the length is now updated...

[chaley]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I did check that, but as it didn't seem to do anything, I had no idea what it did... I also have never heard of the term "elide", so that didn't give a clue either...

Did you change the values in the label length boxes?

"Elide" means to shorten a string using ellipses (...). If this box isn't checked then labels will be word wrapped to fit in the number of characters in the label length boxes.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Edit: that first checkbox really doesn't seem to do anything, nor the dropdown below it (if I understand the meaning of that "elide" correctly), but at least the length is now updated...

Here are some examples of the effects of the Elide checkbox and the elision point box under it.

Edit Metadata Single with the Elide box unchecked. The labels are wordwrapped.


With the Elide box checked and the point set to Left. The label isn't wordwrapped and the ellipsis is on the left. The "series" label fits without elision so is unchanged.


With the Elide box checked and the point set to Middle.


With the Elide box checked and the point set to Right.


My preference: set the width so most labels will fit. Elide the "too long" ones on the right.

Also note that the tool tip for a label shows it in its entirety, even if elided.