E-book conversion

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Often the book we want to read on our ebook reader is in a format that is incompatible or just doesn’t look good. When this happens we have four choices (1) forget the whole thing, (2) forget that ebook (file) and try to get free or, more likely, pay more money for, a new, compatible ebook file, (3) get another ebook reader, or (4) convert the file to something we can use. If you picked #4 then this section of the Wiki page is for you. If you can't find it here then you might have to resort to digitizing Paper Books to Ebooks

For a handy quick reference see the Conversion matrix. You may also want to visit the article on the exact eBook format you are trying to create.

This section is divided into two areas – (1) software from commercial firms (including their freeware and shareware offerings) and (2) non-commercial software developed and distributed under a GNU or similar license.

Contents

[edit] Commercial eBook Conversion Utilities

Note: These are commercial applications for the user; however, trial versions are available for many. Some are free. The list is in alphabetical order.

[edit] Windows

  • ABC Amber has conversion utilities for many formats including Palm PDB and PRC to RTF, PDF, DOC, TXT, HTML, CHM.
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro edits and converts (exports) PDF to jpg, png, tif, html, word, RTF or XML. (commercial, expensive)
  • Adolix PDF Converter - PDF converter software, converts to PDF using a virtual printer. PDF pages can be exported to BMP, JPEG and TIFF. (shareware)
  • Batch PDF Converter has a PDF converter to word, and excel, tiff, XML and txt
  • PDF to word converter for mac has a PDF converter to word, and excel, powerpoint, word, txt to PDF on mac.
  • BookOnPublish Multimedia Digital Publishing System - Converts PDF files into multimedia, digital publications for Macs and Windows PCs. The related BookOnBrowser Converters converts BookOnPublish content to run on browser-based devices including the iPad, iPhone, and iTouch. (shareware)
  • BookIt Desktop - Collect webpages in bulk and organize them into an eBook (PDF/ePub). Windows/Mac OS (shareware)
  • WeBooK - Batch save webpages as an ebook, import local files to edit and export as EPUB2/EPUB3/KOEPUB/PDF/MOBI/AZW3 files. Windows/Mac OS (shareware)
  • PDF Converter Pro - Coolmuster PDF Converter Pro to convert PDF files to 7 different formats for editing and sharing.
  • DeskUNPDF an all-purpose PDF unconverter to xls, jpg, png, tif, html, xhtml, odt or xml. (4 page/book trial version)
  • Docx2Rtf - freeware file converter for MS Word 2007 Docx and OpenOffice Sxw and Odt files with partial formatting. Can also open, view and print - PDF, HTML and RTF files
  • eBook Publisher - from eBook Technologies is the content conversion and publishing tool for creating professionally formatted content on the EBookwise-1150 and REB 1200 (IMP format). This free GUI-based tool runs under Windows and MacOS.
  • eBook Publishing Software: Convert PDF to Flipbook for viewing on Windows, MacOS X, iOS, or Android either online or offline.
  • eBook Studio from Palm Digital Media, it takes text, RTF, HTML, PML (Palm Markup Language), and OPF (Open eBook Package Format) and produces PDB files for all Palm Readers and with eReader and eReaderPro (reader software is free).
  • Epubor convert eBooks from Kindle, Nook, Sony, Kobo, Google to ePub, MOBI and PDF. Versions for Windows and Mac
  • ePUB to Kindle Maker - Convert ePUB, TEXT, HTML, OPF files to Amazon Kindle .mobi format.
  • Mobi to ePub Converter - allows you to customize the output EPUB eBook by editing name and author information; you can also browse a picture you like as the cover of the EPUB eBook.
  • ePub Builder from Wondershare. Build EPUB eBooks from PDF (.pdf), MS Word (.doc/.docx), TXT (.txt), HTML (.html/.htm/.xhtml), CHM (.chm), EPUB (.epub), Images (.jpg/.png/.bmp/.gif/.tiff)
  • EPUB to Kindle converter - a professional application to turn ePub e-books to MOBI format for Amazon Kindle.
  • FlippingBook - A professional solution for creating online realistic digital magazines, e-catalogs and brochures with page flip effect.
  • xFlip Flip Magazine Software offers the best way to create interactive and engaging online magazines, digital catalog, and e-brochure to match your corporate style.
  • GEBLibrarian by Steve Breen. GEB Librarian allows users of the Gemstar eBook device (REB 1100, REB 1200, EBookwise-1150) to create (from DOC, RTF, HTML, RB and TXT files) and download personal content to their eBook devices directly from their PCs. Also manages their own personal content via Bookshelves.
  • Htmldoc converts from HTML to PostScript or PDF - Both free and commercial versions.
  • Hamster Free eBook Converter from HamsterSoft. Free GUI-based tools that offers a range of conversions.
  • Iceni.com has many tools for PDF editing (Infix) and conversion (Gemini and Argus). Free trial available.
  • Konvertor - PDF viewer/converter software, converts to PDF. PDF pages can be exported to various bitmap formats BMP, JPEG, TIFF... (shareware)
  • Kvisoft Flipbook maker Turn PDF to Flash page flipping books for online sharing. (shareware, ease-to-use)
  • Kindle Writer Build books for Kindle (Free 30 day trial version)
  • LIT Addin for MS Word</s> - An add-in for MS Word 2002 and 2003 that produces LIT format output. (free)
  • Jutoh is a commercial WYSIWYG editor for ePUB and Mobipocket format files, and can convert from OpenDocument, HTML and plain text files. Runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD and Solarix x86.
  • MOBI2EPUB Converter - One button conversion from MOBI to ePub. Free trial version.
  • MobiPocket Creator - from Mobipocket, it takes text, HTML, PDF and MS Word and produces Mobipocket PRC files for all MobiPocket readers, with optional DRM. (Freeware with all features enabled.)
  • PDF Password Removal - Remove password protection from any PDF files.
  • Par is a package that reformats paragraphs. It is similar to fmt but much better for eBooks. Source and winodws binaries are available. Command line application.
  • PDF Creator - Professional PDF converter tool from tenorshare, 100% convert PDF to Word / PDF to DOC, Word to PDF, Excel To PDF, printable files to PDF.
  • PDF to ePub Converter - PDF to ePub Converter from Nemo PDF, Convert PDF to Word, DOC, TXT, EXCEL, HTML, Word to PDF, .pdf to .doc Converter etc.
  • PDFMate Free PDF Converter - Free PDF Converter from PDFMate, Convert PDF to EPUB, Text, Image, HTML, SWF, etc.
  • PDF to EPUB Converter is a commercial shareware that covert Adobe PDF ebooks into open standard EPUB books. It works both on Windows and Mac osx.
  • PDF Converter Ultimate - from xstudio - Convert PDF to Word, TXT, Images, etc. The output formats are TXT, Word, RTF, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, PCX, TGA and TIFF, you can output PDF files as you wish.
  • PDF ePUB to Kindle Tool - Convert e-books (PDF, epub, opf, HTML) formats to formats that can be read by Kindle.
  • PDF to ePUB/Mobi Converter - convert PDF to ePUB or Mobi formats read by mobile devices.
  • PDF to Flash Converter - from xstudio.
  • PDF to HTML Converter - from xstudio open and read PDF files as easy as browsing a Web page.
  • PDF to Word Converter - from Doremisoft studio, PDF to Word Converter is PDF converting software to convert PDF to Word, convert pdf to editable Word document on Windows 7, Vista. Free download PDF to Word Converter now.
  • PDF to ePub Converter for iPad/iPhone/iPod, Kindle/Sony Reader and more - from xstudio, Commercial PDF to ePub converter.
  • PDF to epub converter - The PDF to Text Converter is a free download software which provide you a professional and fast way to convert PDF to text files. After the PDF to text conversion, you can easily enjoy or edit the files.
  • PDF Converter - To get PDF converter software, either Windows OS or Mac OS, one can find it. To change pdf files to Microsoft Office, to images, or find a pdf creator, epub creator from pdf files to epub software. here is the site to follow.
  • PDFCropper - PDFCropper is the application, designed to solve the problem with preparing for reading normal sized (A4, B4, C4, letter etc.) PDFs on relatively small (Sony Reader PRS500/PRS505, iRex Iliad etc.) devices.
  • PDF Tools has a PDF converter to word, excel, powerpoint, html, text. They also have tools to edit PDF documents.
  • PDF to ePub Converter - convert PDF ebooks to epub with amazing quality.
  • pdfFactory - a pdf printer driver that converts any printable document into a PDF. (trial version available)
  • PDFtk (PDF toolkit) is a simple tool for doing everyday tasks on PDF documents. It comes in three flavors: PDFtk Free, PDFtk Pro, and a command-line tool PDFtk Server.
  • Primo PDF - a virtual printer, converts a web page into a PDF. Also works from most any source file (freeware).
  • Prince is a software package that converts HTML and XML to PDF. They have a free version for home use.
  • Readerworks - from Overdrive converts to LIT. The standard version is free while the professional version is authoring software.
  • RoverSoft has text2image software (RTEXTasImage) to convert text for devices that can only display images. Devices include Zune, Image viewers, Archos video viewers, etc.
  • Scientific and technical documentation utilities - STDU offers views and utilities to view and convert DjVu, TIFF and Comic Book Archive (CBR or CBZ) to PDF. They can also extract images from PDF. Viewers are free. They also have an XML editor.
  • Stanza - eBook reader and converter from Lexcycle. Supports reading from Plain text, HTML, PDF, ePUB/OEB, Mobipocket, Amazon Kindle, MS LIT, MS Word, RTF, PalmDOC, and RAR compressed books. Can export to iPhone bookmarklets, Kindle, Mobipocket, HTML, epub, and PDF.
  • Tomahawk PDF a PDF editor and conversion tool.
  • Tweak EPUB allows you to examine or modify an existing ePub file.
  • Tweak PDF - Professional PDF converter tool,100% convert PDF to Word / PDF to DOC, Word to PDF, Excel To PDF, printable files to PDF.
  • Word to ePub is commercial multi-functional software which can convert between nine popular office file format like PDF, DOC, DOCX, Image, HTML, ODT, RTF, TXT, ePub.
  • xstudio.biz - Convert PDF to Word, TXT, Images, etc. The output formats are TXT, Word, RTF, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, PCX, TGA and TIFF, you can output PDF files as you wish. They also have PDF to flash, to HTML, and to ePUB converters.

[edit] Macintosh

  • BookIt Desktop - Collect webpages in bulk and organize them into an eBook (PDF/ePub). Windows/Mac OS (shareware)
  • eBook Publisher - from eBook Technologies is a content conversion and publishing tool for creating formatted content on the EBookwise-1150 and REB 1200. This free GUI-based tool runs under Windows and MacOS.
  • eBook Publishing Software: Convert PDF to Flipbook for viewing on Windows, MacOS X, iOS, or Android either online or offline.
  • eBook Studio - from Palm Digital Media, it takes text, RTF, HTML, PML (Palm Markup Language), and OPF (Open eBook Package Format) and produces PDB files for all Palm Readers and with eReader and eReaderPro (reader software is free).
  • epub creator for mac Mac version ePub creator from PDF files.
  • Epubor convert eBooks from Kindle, Nook, Sony, Kobo, Google to ePub, MOBI and PDF. Versions for Windows and Mac
  • iBook Copy convert eBooks from iBooks to common files on Mac.
  • Mac Flipbook maker Turn PDF to flipping ebook on Mac(shareware).
  • epub builder for mac from Wondershare. Build EPUB eBooks from PDF (.pdf), MS Word (.doc/.docx), TXT (.txt), HTML (.html/.htm/.xhtml), CHM (.chm), EPUB (.epub), Images (.jpg/.png/.bmp/.gif/.tiff)
  • HTML to PDF - just use "Save as PDF..." button in your browser's Print dialog box.
  • Lit2html - see MacOSX Hints (freeware AppleScript wrapper for ConvertLit)
  • Pages - With word processing documents (not page layout documents) you can click "File --> Export" and choose ePub. Requires the August 2010 update (version 4.04) and works best with the Pages eBook template.
  • PDF conversion tools from Cisdem include tools to OCR and convert PDF to other formats including ePub and business formats.
  • Prince is a software package that converts HTML and XML to PDF. They have a free version for home use.
  • Tubby - converts CHM to HTML (freeware).
  • Dr.Fone - Recover and convert PDF files from Android phones.
  • Stanza - eBook reader and converter from Lexcycle. Supports reading from Plain text, HTML, PDF, ePUB/OEB, Mobipocket, Amazon Kindle, MS LIT, MS Word, RTF, PalmDOC, and RAR compressed books. Can export to iPhone bookmarklets, Kindle, Mobipocket, HTML, epub, and PDF.
  • Jutoh is a commercial WYSIWYG editor for ePUB and Mobipocket format files, and can convert from OpenDocument, HTML and plain text files. Runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD and Solarix x86.
  • PDF to EPUB Converter for Mac- PDF to EPUB Converter for Mac is specially designed for Mac eBook lovers to have better reading experience on their ebook readers like iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Sony Reader, Barnes & Noble nook, and more EPUB supporting devices, after converting PDF to EPUB eBook format.
  • eBook Converter for Mac- The only one eBook Converter which can handle eBooks with protection, you can convert eBooks between ePub, Mobi, and PDF, supports bulk conversion.
  • Ways to Convert PDF to Word Document on Mac Here is an article about the way to Convert PDF to Word Document on Mac computer.

[edit] Linux (Also potentially Solaris or FreeBSD)

This listing includes both commercial and free tools as there are not very many commercial tools available.

  • chm2mobi - A small command line tool to convert CHM to mobi, free open source.
  • Htmldoc converts from HTML to PostScript or PDF. Both free and commercial versions.
  • IBSuite stands for image book suite. It contains a set of tools to convert ebook in various format (pdf, chm, html) into a set of images. It is free.
  • Prince is a software package that converts HTML and XML to PDF. They have a free version for home use.
  • Par is a package that reformats paragraphs. It is similar to fmt but much better for eBooks. Source is available.
  • Jutoh is a commercial WYSIWYG editor for ePUB and Mobipocket format files, and can convert from OpenDocument, HTML and plain text files. Runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD and Solarix x86.

[edit] Web Based

  • DocRaptor is an HTML/CSS/JS to PDF conversion API that uses Prince XML and a proprietary JS engine for PDF generation. Designed for high-scale usage. Free trial available.
  • Quark is Web and Java based writing and publishing tools. They have a Word add-on as well for Microsoft Word users.

[edit] Non-Commercial eBook Conversion Utilities

While these are termed as non-commercial many include the ability to donate money to the author. Some are as good as many commercial offerings and some have versions that are sold to/by businesses. They are listed in alphabetical order.

[edit] Windows

  • Alkinea creates ePub or mobi ebooks from ODT files.
  • Amananuenis is a French program that will create an ePub file directly from an ODT file saved in Open Office Writer.
  • BBeB Binder - creates BBeB (for Sony Reader only) from HTML. Requires Windows .Net 2.0 and Internet Explorer. Check out this discussion
  • BookCreator Tool is an eBook creator tool. This tool is an MS Word template with VBA macro code.
  • Book Designer - a Windows only conversion tool (requires MS Word) that can output LRF, IMP, MOBI and several other formats.
  • Calibre - by Kovid Goyal, utility for working with ebooks including file transfer to the SONY Reader and many, *many* other reading devices. Uses Python. For Windows/Linux/OSX. Can convert HTML, TXT, RTF, LIT and PDF files to LRF and all other popular e-book formats, such as epub, lit, fb2, mobi, rtf, txt, pdb and others. Also has utilities to download websites and automatically convert them to e-book formats.
  • ePUB-Tools by Toxaris is a MS Word add-in (2007 and up). It contains different features like creating an ePUB directly from Word, cleaning up and fixing OCR errors and many other functions.
  • FB2 to ePub Converter - command prompt and shell extension (right mouse click) converter from FB2 format to ePub. Uses .Net.
  • FB2 to LRF Converter - batch mode fast FB2 to LRF converter. Windows GUI.
  • FB2 to mobi - light converter from FB2 to Kindle and Mobipocket (MOBI) reader (aka PRC format).
  • k2pdfopt - A tool to optimize PDF or DJVU files for display on an eBook Reader screen. Intended for Kindle but can be customized to work on any mobile device that can display a PDF file.
  • Auto Kindle eBook Converter- Auto Kindle eBook Converter nevertheless quickly converts some of the most-used desktop formats to a Kindle-friendly MOBI for free.
  • PDF2DJVU - A pdf to djvu converter, open source.
  • JKindleComic - Optimize your two page scanned comics for Kindle. You can split images, resize images, save as PDF, save as .jpg
  • RTF to HTML Freeware converter.
  • STDU Viewer - simple CBR, CBZ, DjVu, FB2, PDF, TXT, XPS, TCR, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, PSD, TIFF, EMF, WMF converter to image or text.
  • yWriter is really a word processor for writing novels on Windows. It will import RTF files.
  • WordtoEPUB by Daisy. Converts MS-Word docx to epub. Using Pandoc as its motor, works both standalone and via a Word-plugin.
  • Writer2xhtml by Henrik Just is a graphical extension of Apache Open Office Writer (or LibreOffice). It will create an ePub directly from an ODT file.

[edit] Linux

  • Calibre - by Kovid Goyal, utility for working with ebooks including file transfer to the SONY Reader and many, *many* other reading devices. Uses Python. For Windows/Linux/OSX. Can convert HTML, TXT, RTF, LIT and PDF files to LRF and all other popular e-book formats, such as epub, lit, fb2, mobi, rtf, txt, pdb and others. Also has utilities to download websites and automatically convert them to e-book formats.
  • UnRTF is a command-line program written in C which converts documents in Rich Text Format (.rtf) to HTML, LaTeX, PostScript, and other formats. Converting to HTML, it supports a number of features of Rich Text Format.
  • ViCHMethod Linux: A little sophisticated but free method of converting CHM files to PDF. (OpenOffice.org is involved, so CHM can be converted to anything OpenOffice.org supports.)
  • Xpdf - an open source viewer for PDF files, also includes a PDF text extractor, PDF-to-PostScript converter, and various other utilities.
  • Poppler - fork of Xpdf that does same things, but under active devlopment, and built to be modular and extensible
  • PDF2DJVU - A pdf to djvu converter, open source.
  • JKindleComic - Optimize your two page scanned comics for Kindle. You can split images, resize images, save as PDF, save as .jpg.
  • k2pdfopt - A tool to optimize PDF or DJVU files for display on an eBook Reader screen. Intended for Kindle but can be customized to work on any mobile device that can display a PDF file.
  • mobitool/mobimeta - Command line tools for unpacking/editing Kindle e-book formats (Linux, MacOS X, Windows).
  • Writer2xhtml by Henrik Just is a graphical extension of Apache Open Office Writer (or LibreOffice). It will create an ePub directly from an ODT file.
  • img2pdf by josh - Command line tools for making pdf files from jpeg, jpeg2000, png or tiff files. Useful in context with source files from the Internet Archive.

[edit] Macintosh

  • Alkinea creates ePub or mobi ebooks from ODT files.
  • Calibre - by Kovid Goyal, utility for working with ebooks including file transfer to the SONY Reader and many, *many* other reading devices. Uses Python. For Windows/Linux/OSX. Can convert HTML, TXT, RTF, LIT and PDF files to LRF and all other popular e-book formats, such as epub, lit, fb2, mobi, rtf, txt, pdb and others. Also has utilities to download websites and automatically convert them to e-book formats.
  • PDF2DJVU - A pdf to djvu converter, open source.
  • JKindleComic - Optimize your two page scanned comics for Kindle. You can split images, resize images, save as PDF, save as .jpg
  • Docudesk PRS Browser for OS X: Free Mac OS X tool for manipulating files on the Sony Reader.
  • Libriate - a GUI for Make LRF, for MacOS X only
  • k2pdfopt - A tool to optimize PDF or DJVU files for display on an eBook Reader screen. Intended for Kindle but can be customized to work on any mobile device that can display a PDF file.
  • mobitool/mobimeta - Command line tools for unpacking/editing Kindle e-book formats (Linux, MacOS X, Windows).
  • Writer2xhtml by Henrik Just, is a graphical extension of Apache Open Office Writer (or LibreOffice). It will create an ePub directly from an ODT file.

[edit] Unsorted

Also includes programs that support multiple platforms.

Note: Some are works in progress, some require you to compile them. Before using please read the posted MobileRead thread where available. At times there are other programs and utilities that must be loaded prior to using certain tools listed below. Note that some of these programs have their own content pages in this wiki.

  • Ability Tools extension for Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice converts Open Document presentations (ODP) to ePub (ePUB) books. The text of the eBook is converted from the notes field of the slide. The text of the presentation slide is recorded as alternative text for vision impaired readers.
  • ComicLRF - Comic Book (CBR/CBZ) one step converter to BBeB (LRF).
  • ComicToEPUB - Converts comic book archive pages to ePUB.
  • Comics2Reader is a free program to create CBZ, PDF, or ePUB books from a set of images.
  • deimp.exe by Nick Rapallo. The text decompressor (extractor) for .imp files. Version 0.1 can extract just the basic text from within any non-DRM'ed compressed .imp file.
  • eBook conversion tools - A set of python based conversion tools. Will work anywhere python is installed. The list includes: MobiML2HTML.pyw, MobiUnpack.pyw, Pml2HTML.pyw, mobiml2html.py, mobiunpack.py, scrolltextwidget.py, subasyncio.py, xpml2xhtml.py
  • eCub - a simple to use EPUB and MobiPocket ebook creator
  • EditLRFmeta - edits LRF metadata such as "Author" and "Title"
  • fixLRF - fixes errors in LRF files created with DLL from Book Creator (XYLogParser.Dll)
  • Formatting Gutenberg Texts - designed for OpenOffice and MS Word to convert the text files from Project Gutenberg to RTF or PDF (OpenOffice only)
  • GPDFText PDF editor for GTK+ - Opens a PDF or imports TXT into a text editor, reflows the Text and then allows resaving as a different size PDF. Does text only, no formatting.
  • Gutclean - A wordwrap utility for Project Gutenberg text files.
  • GuteBook by Nick Rapallo - Windows GUI & Perl script that converts a Project Gutenberg and PG Australia ebook referenced by it's EText-No. and/or URL directly into various .EPUB/.LRF/.MOBI/.LIT/.IMP/.RB formats simultaneously.
  • GutenMark - Produces formatted HTML from Project Gutenberg text files.
  • GUTLRF - uses HTML2LRF (in calibre) to create Sony Reader BBeB (LRF) from Project Gutenberg HTML (or text) ETexts.
  • HTML2LRF - discussion thread - creates Sony Reader BBeB (LRF) from HTML.
  • html2pml by Shu Ning Bian. Basic conversion of HTML to PML for use with DropBook.
  • Image 2 ePUB - converts images in cbz, .cbr, zip, rar, 7z, directory format to ePUB. It is discussed in the MobileRead forum.
  • Imp Librarian, by L. Landwehr. Catalogs a collection of .IMP files and produces .csv files for import into MS Excel or equiv.
  • Ishtar by Yves Sagnier. Command line tool to convert HTML to RTF. Available in 16 bit MS-DOS and 32 bit Windows console versions. Freeware. (See Martha below)
  • JAP - an image-book creation program to produce readable files for the some popular e-book reading devices (Reb-1200/GEB-2150, Sony Reader/Librie, Hanlin V8, PPC) from PDF and DjVu files, or from set of pictures/scans
  • JE Comics Converter - converts JPG into PDF and optimizes it for viewing on a Sony Reader or iRex iLiad. Requires Java. Alternative discussion
  • LIT2SB - a conversion tool with detailed instructions on how to convert (many) Microsoft reader .LIT files to .IMP formats (for the EBookwise-1150 and/or REB 1200)
  • LIT2LRF - creates LRF from LIT. Converts LIT's html to a Xylog XML LRS file, then uses LRSParser to compile a LRF. Windows only
  • LRF2LRS - converts LRF to Xylog XML LRS. Written in Python.
  • LRF Parser - parses an LRF file, dumps all tags and streams. Also check out the Yahoo Librie Group (requires registration)
  • LRS2LRF - converts LRS to LRF. Command line tool that uses a DLL from Book Creator (not included) to compile a Xylog XML (BBeB source format) (download access requires registration)
  • LRF Unpack - extracts data from LRF. Requires Microsoft .Net 2.0
  • LRS to LRF Converter - converts LRS to LRF. Does not use XYLogParser.dll from Book Creator. Now included in Book Designer. Works both for the Sony Librie and Sony Reader
  • Make LRF - the first conversion tool written for the Sony Librie, predates the Sony Reader. Also check out the Yahoo Librie Group (requires registration)
  • Martha by Yves Sagnier. Command line tools to convert RTF to HTML. Available in 16bit MS-DOS and 32 bit Windows console versions. Freeware. (See Ishtar above)
  • MBP_reader - a program to export user notes from mobipocket mbp files, to plain text.
  • Mobi2IMP by Nick Rapallo - Windows GUI & Perl script to make IMP files from MOBI files as well as other things; also has a dos executable and useful batch file.
  • Mobiperl is a collection of Perl scripts to manipulate MOBI files. There are also some compiled windows binaries.
  • odt2pml - Free OpenOffice extension, converts Writer documents to Palm eReader format. WYSIWYG, within PML limitations.
  • ODF converter - An OpenOffice and Microsoft Office files add-in to allow the exchange of OpenOffice and Microsoft OpenXML files.
  • PDF Converter - A 5-in-1 PDF utility which helps you batch or partial convert PDF files to editable Word, or converts Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel Spreadsheets to PDF files at one time.
  • OOo FBTools - Free OpenOffice extension, converts Writer documents to FictionBook2 format. WYSIWYG.
  • OpenOffice to ePUB - OpenOffice extension to add ePUB save.
  • Pandoc converts lots of input formats to lots of output formats.
  • PaperCrop converts a PDF to images. It removes borders and multiple columns to make viewing easier on portable devices.
  • pdfreflow - reflows text based PDF into HTML. Binaries for Mac, Windows, and Ubuntu. Uses Java.
  • pdflrf - Converts PDF, DJVU, and CBZ to LRF. Has controls to manage the thickness of the lines and can split PDF pages.
  • PDFRead is a tool for converting PDF and DJVU documents for reading on eBook devices. It creates an image out of each page, enhances, then collates in a device-specific format (supports .IMP/.RB/.OEB/.LRF/.PRC/.HTML)
  • pielrf - Converts text/light html to lrf similar to makelrf, but feature-rich. Includes Table Of Contents in the Reader Menu, Headers, Curly Quotes, paragraph autoflow, etc. Python based for Mac OS X, Linux, Windows.
  • Plucker Desktop - Free, open source, cross-platform application to "pluck" HTML pages and create pdb files that can be read e.g. by the Plucker viewer, available for PalmOS and other platforms, and e.g. by FBReader.
  • Simplicissimus BookMaker Extension is a free OpenOffice extension that makes optimized PDF for iRex iLiad, Cybook Gen3, BeBook, Sony Reader, Hanlin and Readius starting from all OpenOffice Writer supported formats.
  • Sigil is a multi-platform WYSIWYG epub editor.
  • SoftSnow Merger is a utility to combine HTML files into one large file.
  • Tidy is one of several programs with tidy in their names. This one is often called HTML Tidy. Technically it is not a conversion program but rather a program to clean up HTML files.
  • Web2Book formerly RSS2Book - by Geekraver and featured at MobileRead. Creates formatted Sony Reader PDFs, RTFs, LRFs or HTML from RSS feeds, HTML pages, Wikipedia entries, Project Gutenberg books, and other sources. Windows only (.Net 2.0 required). Can be configured for other page sizes. Can sync directly to Sony Readers. Supports a plugin architecture for sources, formats and target devices.
  • Word Macro for Formatting RTF - developed by Stingo and featured at MobileRead. Works within Microsoft Word.
  • [plasTeX] is a LaTeX to XHTML converter, open source (python), highly customizable. XHTML output is highly compatible with Sigil to assemble an ePub.

[edit] Web Based

These tools are usually on a web site and you send the file to the web site and download the results.

  • Ben'sToolset.com Online and free ebook, video, audio, document and image converter.
  • Converter Page Offers an online tool which allows to convert between the most common ebook file formats for free.
  • Cometdocs is a free online document and e-book conversion tool that has on the fly OCR conversion capabilities, over 50 different conversion options and proprietary XPS and PDF conversion abilities that retains formatting, images and text in the selected output format.
  • Dotepub can create ePub or Mobi from any web site. They have addins for popular web Browsers to make it even easier.
  • DocsPal is a free online file converter that supports many type of documents, e-books, images, and other kind of files: doc, pdf, odt, djvu, epub, fb2, lit, mobi, excel, and many others.
  • Dot ePUB is an online file converter that will convert any web site to ePUB. You copy the icon dotebpub to your bookmarks and then whatever page you are displaying will be converted when you choose that bookmark.
  • eBookBurn.com is a WYSIWYG online eBook creator which produces both ePUB and MOBI formats. No programming skills are required, and support for images, both color and black-and-white, is included.
  • ePaperFlip's PDF to flipbook maker - This SAAS service allows you to make eBooks in minutes using your PDFs. It provides real page turning effect along with Audio and Videos, which grab more attention of your readers.
  • EDI Link connect - convert PDF to XML by emailing the PDF document to their server and it emails back a XML.
  • ePaperFlip - Convert your PDFs to interactive flip books online in minutes. Works on all platforms without installing any additional software.
  • ePub Bud will convert just about any DRM-free format (PDF, pdb, PRC, doc, html, rtf, TXT, FB2, lrx, lit) to the open ePub format. It also allows editing your ebooks online, as well as sharing, storing, and reading them. Especially for children's books.
  • ePubNow! is a powerful XML Workflow for Publishers to convert to ePub format from HTML extracted from PDF files. ePubNow! Google Group provides important information on how to convert your precious content to industry-grade quality epub format ebooks.
  • fb2epub.com online tool for converting FB2 files to ePUB format. Supports fonts sub-setting and embedding.
  • Feedbooks - Support both epub (new e-book standard for Adobe DE, FBReader and support on the Sony PRS-505) and PDF (templates for A4, Sony Reader, iRex iLiad and custom) generation on the fly. FeedBooks allows you to publish texts in the public domain, your own works, but also RSS feeds and sudoku. Still in the beta stage, FeedBooks currently supports English and French. There is no charge for the site although registration is required to submit a book.
  • FreeFileConvert.com An online service which allows users to convert their ebook files into different formats including TEXT and PDF.
  • GrabMyBooks - is an extension for FireFox that will grab a web page and convert it to an ePub for use off-line.
  • Go4ePub - A free ePub converter. ePub to PDF or PDF to ePub, also ePub to mobi or mobi to ePub.
  • LiberWriter - Web based authoring and conversion system designed to be friendly and simple. Creates mobi files for Amazon's KDP. Ensures correct ToC, NCX, Cover link.
  • online-convert.com A free online ebook converter that lets you convert ebooks, text and other documents to ePub, FB2, LIT, LRF, MOBI, OEB, PDB, PDF and TCR. Optionally you can optimize the output for a special ebook reader and specify some more settings.
  • Papeair - Web based friendly and simple service to create ePub and MOBI files for Amazon's KDP with correct ToC, NCX, Cover link and embedded fonts.
  • PDF to text will convert PDF files to text, images, word files, and will also convert back. There is also compress PDF and combine PDF.
  • RetoRead free service that converts public domain Google epubs to Kindle mobi files. Uploaded epubs are added to shared library; provides delivery to email, email to Kindle, or download (including from Kindle browser). Conversion engine powered by Calibre.
  • Smashwords Free publishing service allows authors and publishers to upload source manuscripts as Word .doc or RTF files, then converts the files to nine ebook formats: two online reading formats (HTML and JavaScript), PDF, EPUB, MOBI, PDB, RTF and text (two versions). Authors/publishers set the price of the book. See SmashWords.
  • mBook will convert on-line any text and images to a java eBook (JAR) for mobile phones.
  • zinepal.com will convert web pages, blogs and Atom/RSS feeds to PDF, ePub and Mobipocket format files. Includes images and offers many customization options.
  • Web2FB2 will convert multiple web pages into ePub and FB2 formats. No log in required. Has options to: include images, tables, <code> (not сompatible with old FB2 readers), embed fonts into ePub. It can also use the old h2fb2 engine as an option.
  • WSexport - converts Wiki Source documents to eBook and document formats. Supported formats are ePub, XHTML, ODT.
  • Word HTML Cleaner - clean up extra html in word documents that are saved to html format.
  • Epub to PDF - web based Epub to Pdf conversion online.

[edit] Japanese

  • Aozora Kindle that allows to convert books to the PDF format optimized for Kindle.
  • GenEPUB.com Free service that converts Japanese text to ePub file. No log in required. Has options to: unfold lines, markup headings. API available.

[edit] Java Based

  • BBeBook - a Java port of Make LRF. Supported input is HTML and PDF and the output creates PNG for the images
  • Flat LRF - designed to convert a multilevel web site into a single LRF file. Uses Java
  • JE-Comics will convert comic book images to PDF files.
  • Rilego Convert a group of images into a PDF file, with optimizations for E-Book readers. Open source rewrite of JE-Comics
  • JKindleComic - Optimize your two page scanned comics for Kindle. You can split images, resize images, save as PDF, save as .jpg
  • lib2go.com will allow to convert documents to LRF format
  • QiOO's QiC online converter for TXT to JAR, which is readable on all Java-enabled cell phones

[edit] SDK

A Software Developers Kit (SDK) is designed to provide the ability of software developers to write tools to generate eBooks in a particular format.

Microsoft SDK includes DLL for Microsoft Visual Studio C++ developers to generate LIT formatted eBooks. They have also have tools for Dictionary development, TTS and other capabilities. These are free downloads

Ebook Glue is a HTTP API that can be integrated with web application to produce both ePUB and MOBI ebooks.

eCore includes DLL for eBook file format conversion, support ePUB, MOBI, AZW3, AZW, PRC, OPF, HTML, HTMLZ files. It's a commercial SDK and provides customization.

[edit] Conversion Services

This section has gotten so large that it needs to have its own page.

[edit] See Also

[edit] Best Conversion Practices

The purpose of this section is to present the tips, tricks, usage instructions, and best methods or practices for each package.

This is an evolving area and subject to rapid and dynamic change as the conversion tools themselves improve. While some of the entries may seem quixotic, what is old hat for some may be a revelation to others.

  • Book Designer
  • Fix_Lit - How to fix a Microsoft Reader file so the links for Notes work
  • HowTo: Create an eBook for a tutorial on the task itself
  • Mono Project - This is an environment that creates a way to use or even create Windows .NET framework applications on MacOS X and Linux. Some of the eBook utilities are written using the Windows .NET framework, C# for example.
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