The Kindle gets slammed for it’s supposed closed architecture, but it’s really quite easy to get your own content to the Kindle. You can even avoid the .10 cent charge of supported file types (html, Word, or .txt) by emailing yourkindle@free.kindle.com and manually moving over the file that is sent back to your email address. But what about the beloved PDF file? Some PDF files can be converted by Amazon with out any issue, while others are more problematic. For those PDF documents that fall in the latter camp, here is how to get PDF files to your Kindle:
- First off, you need the software to convert the PDF file. Unfortunately, it’s Windows only, so if you’re on a Mac, fire up your virtual machine (parallels, Fusion) or use Boot Camp. To get the software, cruise on over to Mobipocket and select the software tab and select Mobipocket Creater (or just click here). Once downloaded, go ahead and install it. The software is free.
- Open the Mobipocket Creator program you just installed and select import PDF file. Select the file you want to use and choose the default options to convert the file. The program will create an XML file and a HTML file with the same name and place it in a directory under My Documents\My Published Items.
- After the conversion is done, you need to select ‘Build’ from the top menu key. It will build two additional files: a .mbp file and a .opf file. These are the two files that you need to move to the Kindle.
- Connect your Kindle via USB, and copy the mbp and opf files to the documents folder on the Kindle.
That’s it, you should now see your document on your home screen of your Kindle. I successfully moved over a 138 page book that I had in PDF format. Unfortunately, there are no functional hyperlinks in the table of contents but the search function works just fine.
Filed under: gadget |
Tags: e-reader, kindle, PDF
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Just tried your system. Transferred the .mbp and .opf files over and still no luck. Any tips?
Hi Josh,
The problem might be peculiar to a specific PDF. Try another PDF to see if it works. In some cases, Amazon can convert the PDF as well. Try emailing the PDF to your Amazon Kindle email account (listed in the ‘Manage My Kindle’ section of Amazon.com. If that does not work, try using the steps I have outlined with a different PDF. If that works for you, than it is something specific with the PDF in question that is prohibiting the proper conversion. What OS are you on?
So I followed your steps and Mobipocket creates the .opf but no .mbp
What am I doing wrong?
I found that moving the entire folder instead of just the two files works.
I have no problems with PDF files mainly because I save them as an older version of Acrobat. While I can’t say for sure, I think it’s some of the newer technology behind the PDF files that causes trouble. Try saving in version 3 or 4 and see what happens.
I also experimented with improving the graphics quality of photos. This wasn’t a total waste of time as I achieved limited success, and also tried some tried and true Photoshop techniques that appear excellent on the Kindle. Photos will NEVER look that good on the current version of Kindle, but you can improve how they look once you know how.
If you’d like more info about improving your Kindle graphics, type into amazon’s website B0018LILMO and it should pull right now.
But as for PDF, try it on an older version and see what happens.
How does it really do at converting things like multiple-column PDF docs?
I have a lot of PDF tech manuald Id lvoe to carry with me. I bought the Sony Reader and found while it *theoretically* supported PDFs, they were unusable.
Im loath to spend ANOTHER $400 unless I know it will work…
The instructions leave out an essential point. It seems that in addition to the .mdp and .opf files, you need the .prc file ( which is the book itself) — I figured this out by trial and error.
The ONLY file you need to move over once you’ve done the Build is the .prc file. You can delete everything else. Be sure to put the .prc file in the Documents folder on the Kindle.
Also, before you do the Build, click on the Metadata link and fill in the book title that you want to see on the Kindle Home page and the author name. You can also add cover art here. Scroll down and click Save? Apply? I don’t remember what it’s called, but you need to click it. Then do the build.
You can’t convert DRM’d PDFs, and anything with columns or tables isn’t likely to work. If you know how to edit html, supposedly you can do a lot to fix the format at that stage, before doing the build.