It’s understandable why it happens. Physical books have become very expensive, and the digital versions are often less costly than paperback versions. Plus, the internet is a treasure trove of PDF books just waiting to be converted into an eReader-friendly format.Luckily, our article will teach you how to do that.
Standard eBook Formats
Depending on your eReader, you may choose different formats for your eBook. Here are the most popular options:
● EPUB Perfect for just about any device, EPUB is friendly and flexible, letting you keep a library in your pocket minus the bulk of physical books.
● PDF The PDF format may not have exactly been made with eBooks in mind, but most readers still support it. You can easily convert files from formats like MOBI to PDF. All you need is to find a suitable converter which works for your needs.
● MOBI The preferred option for Amazon Kindle, this one integrates perfectly with the functions of the eReader (for example, making notes or changing font size). Not every eBook reader supports this format, but since Kindle remains popular, it is still widely used.
● AZW/AZW3 Another Kindle format, though not as flexible as MOBI. You might need to convert these files or create a PDF eBook for use on other devices.
● iBooks If you are a fan of the Apple platform and prefer reading your books on an iPad, then you could rely on iBooks. Still, since they are only limited to Apple devices, these types of eBooks hold no use for other platforms.
● TXT Simple text with no formatting. It's like a blank canvas, ready for you to format as you wish, offering ultimate flexibility.
How to Format a Text Into an eBook
Creating an electronic book is a simple process once you already have the content in front of you. Here are the steps you should follow:
1. Choose the Right Conversion Tool
Before you start, you have to decide on the conversion program to use. While Microsoft Word allows you to save a document directly as PDF or TXT, it cannot convert to most eBook formats. You should also choose your converter based on the tools that you have at hand. For instance, if you’ve got a MOBI eBook but your device cannot read this format, you should look for a program to convert a MOBI file to PDF.
2. Determine the Target Audience
If you are creating the book for yourself, you already know what to expect. However, if you plan on turning a piece of text into an eBook and wish to make it available to the public, you have to identify your target audience. This way, it will be easier to format the book accordingly. If the content is already in a PDF version, you can use a PDF editor for this task.
How are the readers going to read the book? Chances are very high that you will require multiple formats, depending on your reader’s behavior. For instance, many people use their smartphones to read, so you could go for PDF. However, if your readers are using an eReader or a special app, it’s best to create eBook from PDF as well. Giving them options makes the book more likely to be read. If the text is for you, choose whatever format you are accustomed to.
4. Optimize the Table of Contents
Readers always want to quickly navigate to the chapter they need, which can easily be done using a paperback book. However, it’s hard to find the chapter you want in an eBook unless you have a well-optimized table of contents. You can create the document in Word and set the headings there, after which you export it as a MOBI. Afterwards, you may change from MOBI to PDF or any other format you need.
5. Convert and Test
No matter the book you create, the conversion itself should take no longer than a couple of seconds. For the most part, all you have to do is upload the available format and change it to your preferred one. Once you download the document, you can test it on different devices to see if it works or start reading. The Bottom Line Nowadays, eBooks are a very convenient tool that offers you access to an entire library within a small device. You only need the correct format for the book. Whether you are converting for yourself or someone else, make sure to do it with readability in mind.
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