How do I switch from 2-page spread to ebook layout?

[unknownsailor]

I set up my book using a print format (half A5). When I export to epub it appears to be adding blank pages, which I assume is because my original format is a two-page print layout (please correct me if I'm wrong). So Chapter 5 document, for example, is only two pages, where the first is a single page and the second is one of a two-page spread. I've deleted all blank pages after that second page but this doesn't make any difference to the epub version.

Is this because my A Master is a double page? Because I've just deleted one side from the A-Master and it has not made any difference. In fact I've just noticed that my cover page also has a blank page before it. If not, how do I avoid these additional pages being printed in my epub?

[Derek Cross]

Is this a Reflowable Text ePub?

[Steve Werner]

Moving to InDesign EPUB forum

[unknownsailor]

Yes

[unknownsailor]

And I'm currently just checking in Microsoft Edge because that's the default e-reader on my computer. I haven't checked on my phone or Kindle yet...

[Derek Cross]

To get the terminology correct, you’ve produced an A6 printed book and you now want to produce a Refllowable text ePub.

The thing to note is that the page size is irrelevant as the page resizes to suit the device. Also items on the Master pages will not appear. You don’t have page numbers as the pages reflow to suit the type size and page size. All text must have Paragraph and Character Styles applied and any images must be anchored. Spaces, such as indents and line spaces must be indicated in the Paragraph styles. If you want your ePub to appear on a Kindle you must convert the ePub format to the mobi format.

[unknownsailor]

Yes, I understand that. I've been following Sean Foushee's excellent youtube tutorials and I believe I have done everything correct. I think this may have something to do with splitting pages at both the Export Tagging part and when exporting to epub. I'll try turning these off.

[Derek Cross]

You can validate your ePub with the free validator EPUB Validator (beta)  or the paid-for in-depth one FlightDeck  (recommended)

[unknownsailor]

Useful link, Derek, thank you. My epub passes.

I'm finding these spaces and blank pages peculiar. I think I might start this process again, since it's only a small book (25 pages). Out of interest, to get this to be read on both Kindle and other epub apps, which template or document style in InDesign would you recommend I start with? I notice I can't export as MOBI.

And should I have gone for fixed layout instead of reflowable with my current epub export? What's the difference in terms of the reader being able to resize the font? I went for reflowable because I thought it provided greater flexibility.

[Edit - I just tried exporting as fixed and that definitely does not work so reflowable was obviously the right one to go for]

Basically I'm trying to create an e-book that people can read on either Kindle or any epub reader. Does this mean creating two completely different projects or can I select either at export? Sorry for the additional questions, I've only just started using InDesign (though I have a solid understanding of CSS and html) so I'm trying to get my head around basic workflow.

[Derek Cross]

You need to produce one for ePub and one for the Kindle. You can easily convert to a mobi using the free Kindle Previewer.

[Derek Cross]

It's really useful that you know HTML and CSS, learn to 'crack open" your ePub and fine tune it there.

[unknownsailor]

Yes, I suspected I could do that, Derek, thanks. Looks like I simply swap the .epub suffix for .zip. Perfect. Thanks for your speedy responses, appreciated.

[unknownsailor]

OK, I've found the culprit. It seems InDesign is adding an additional div at the end of each page, which looks something like this:

<div class="_idGenObjectLayout-1">

<div id="_idContainer010" class="Basic-Text-Frame">

</div>

</div>

It's being styled with the following properties:

#_idContainer010 {

display:inline-block;

height:540px;

width:432px;

}

The problem is, if I remove them by renaming the .epub folder to .zip and then unzipping, editing in Dreamweaver, and then attempting to rezip and rename back to .epub, I cannot open the epub file anymore. Not sure whether this is because something got corrupted when rezipping?

Any idea why InDesign is including these and how to avoid them?

[FeAle-7IZsBx]

Hi, unknownsailor​

Why do you dont use Sigil to edit your reflowable ePUB - https://sigil-ebook.com/

It´s the best to edit ePUB and you dont need unzip/zip always, because Sigil Open and Save ePUB files (It's suitable with ePUB 3)

If you have unzio/zip ePUB files always use this app - http://www.docdataflow.com/ecancrusher/

Regards

[unknownsailor]

Because I used to be a web developer and am comfortable with Dreamweaver. However I'll look into sigil as I like playing with apps!

[Derek Cross]

It's generally recommended to try and fix issues back in InDesign, and perhaps fine tune outside as little as possible as once you have done so outside you have to start again with those changes if you have to re-export to ePub from InDesign again.

[remat26167065]

I am in no way as knowledgeable as the people answering this, but I had the same issues driving me crazy. I fixed some of the blank page issues by correcting my original paragraph styles that for print were set up to start only on an odd page. Although that showed it removed blank pages, I still had blank pages popping up. After pulling out half my hair, I resorted to using the Articles panel, and the rest of the blank pages went away.