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How to Convert eBooks with Calibre on Windows

There are a lot of eBook file types or formats out there. Life would be much simpler if we only have one basic eBook format to deal with. However, that’s not the case. Different file types or formats may require different types of eBook reader software or device. An eBook that you read on your computer may not necessarily work right away on your Amazon Kindle, and vice versa. Thus the need for conversion to make your eBooks readable and compatible for your other eBook readers. Calibre, being an eBook application suite, supports eBook conversions from one format to another. If you already have Calibre in your Windows, conversion will be quite easy.

Part One of Three:
Adding eBooksEdit

1
Launch Calibre. Double-click on the program to launch it. It can be accessed from the Start menu or from the shortcut on your desktop.
2
Add books. From the header menu, click the “Add books” button from the far left.
3
Select eBooks. A dialog box will appear with your Windows file directory. Navigate through the folders and select the eBooks you want to load with Calibre. Click the “Open” button to add the selected eBooks.
- You can select various file types or formats of eBooks.
4
View eBooks. All the added eBooks will be listed and categorized in the middle section of the software.

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Part Two of Three:
Converting eBooksEdit

1
Select an eBook. From your Calibre library on the middle section of the software, select an eBook by clicking on it. It will be highlighted.
2
Convert individually. Right-click on the selected eBook, select “Convert books,” then select “Convert individually.” A conversion screen will come out with your eBook’s settings and data.
3
Define the output format. Before Calibre can do the conversion, you have to define the file type or format of the output file. Select the output format from the drop-down list defined by the Output format field on the upper right corner.
4
Start the conversion. Click the “OK” button on the lower right corner to start the eBook format conversion.
5
View the output file. When the conversion is done, you can now view and read the eBook in its new format.
- Do note that layout and formatting may be different compared with the source eBook, as some features are lost during the conversion and some others aren’t fully supported or compatible with the new format.
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Part Three of Three:
Converting by Sending to an eBook ReaderEdit

1
Get your eBook reader. Get your Kindle, Kobo, Nook, or whatever device you use to read eBooks.
2
Connect eBook reader. Use the appropriate cable to connect your eBook reader to your computer.
3
Detect the eBook reader. Calibre will detect and scan your eBook reader. It will be able to recognize the most common eBook readers available, like Kindle, Kobo, and Nook.
4
Send to device. Select the eBook you’d like to send to your eBook reader. Right-click on it, select “Send to device,” and then select your eBook reader.
- Calibre is smart enough to determine the file type or format supported by your eBook reader. It will convert the selected eBook into a compatible format and send it to your eBook reader.
5
Read from your eBook reader. Once the eBook is sent to your eBook reader in the supported or compatible format, you can now read the eBook from there. Refer to your eBook reader’s user manual.

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