Convert EPUB to ORG

Why Convert EPUB to ORG?

Converting EPUB e-books to Org-mode format is ideal for Emacs users, researchers, and knowledge workers who want to integrate book content into their personal knowledge management system. While EPUB is designed for reading, Org-mode provides a powerful, extensible environment for note-taking, annotation, task management, and literate programming.

Org-mode is one of the most powerful productivity tools in the Emacs ecosystem. By converting EPUB to Org format, you can add TODO items, tags, timestamps, and personal annotations directly to the book content. The outline structure of Org-mode makes it easy to navigate large documents, collapse/expand sections, and reorganize content. This is perfect for studying, research, and creating personal knowledge bases.

One of the key advantages of Org-mode over EPUB for knowledge workers is its integration with the broader Emacs ecosystem. You can execute code blocks, create links to other Org files, generate dynamic tables, include LaTeX formulas, and export to multiple formats (HTML, PDF, LaTeX, Beamer presentations). This makes Org-mode ideal for academic writing, technical documentation, and literate programming workflows.

The conversion process extracts the structured content from EPUB (chapters, headings, paragraphs, lists, code) and transforms it into Org-mode outline format. Each chapter becomes a top-level heading, with subheadings preserved hierarchically. The plain text nature of Org files makes them perfect for version control with Git and enables powerful text-based workflows.

Key Benefits of Converting EPUB to Org-mode:

• Productivity: Add TODOs, tags, and properties to content
• Note-Taking: Annotate and extend book content
• Navigation: Outline structure with folding/unfolding
• Export: Generate HTML, PDF, LaTeX, Beamer from Org
• Literate Programming: Execute code blocks inline
• Version Control: Plain text works perfectly with Git
• Integration: Link to other notes in your Org knowledge base

Practical Examples

Example 1: Technical Book with TODOs

Input EPUB content (programming-book.epub):

Book: Learning Python
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Variables
- Chapter 3: Functions

Output Org file with study tasks:

#+TITLE: Learning Python
#+AUTHOR: Original Author

* TODO Chapter 1: Introduction
  DEADLINE: <2024-01-15 Mon>

Welcome to *Python Programming*.
This guide will help you learn the basics.

** My Notes
   - Remember to practice examples
   - Review next week

* DONE Chapter 2: Variables     :completed:
  - Learned about variable types
  - Completed all exercises

Example 2: Research Paper Integration

Input EPUB academic book:

Title: Machine Learning Fundamentals
Chapters: 10
Contains: Code examples, formulas, references

Output Org with research notes:

#+TITLE: Machine Learning Fundamentals
#+FILETAGS: :ml:research:reading:

* Chapter 1: Neural Networks    :important:
  :PROPERTIES:
  :READ_DATE: [2024-01-10]
  :END:

Original content here...

** My Research Questions
   - How does this relate to [[file:my-research.org][my current project]]?
   - TODO Implement example code
   - See also: [[https://arxiv.org/...][Related Paper]]

#+BEGIN_SRC python
# Code from book
import numpy as np
#+END_SRC

Example 3: Export to Multiple Formats

After editing in Org-mode, export to:

From Emacs Org-mode:

C-c C-e h o   → Export to HTML and open in browser
C-c C-e l p   → Export to PDF via LaTeX
C-c C-e l o   → Export to LaTeX
C-c C-e m m   → Export to Markdown

Use cases:
✓ HTML for web publishing
✓ PDF for sharing/printing
✓ LaTeX for academic papers
✓ Markdown for GitHub

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Org-mode?

A: Org-mode is a powerful plain text markup language and productivity system for Emacs. Created by Carsten Dominik in 2003, it's used for note-taking, task management, project planning, literate programming, and authoring. Org files (.org) use outline structure with headings marked by asterisks (*). It's one of the main reasons many people use Emacs.

Q: Do I need Emacs to use Org files?

A: Emacs provides the best Org-mode experience with full features (TODOs, agenda, code execution, export). However, you can also use: Orgzly (Android app), beorg (iOS app), VS Code with Org Mode extension (limited), or any text editor for basic editing. For full productivity features, Emacs is recommended.

Q: Can I add notes and TODOs to the converted content?

A: Yes! That's one of the best features. In Emacs Org-mode, you can add TODO keywords to any heading (C-c C-t), create tags (:tag:), add properties, insert timestamps, create links to other notes, and annotate content freely. This makes Org-mode perfect for active reading and research.

Q: Can I convert Org-mode back to EPUB or other formats?

A: Yes! Org-mode has powerful export capabilities. You can export to HTML, PDF (via LaTeX), Markdown, ODT, and more using Emacs' built-in exporters. For EPUB specifically, use Pandoc: pandoc input.org -o output.epub. This enables a workflow where you edit/annotate in Org, then publish to multiple formats.

Q: Will code blocks be preserved?

A: Yes! Code blocks from EPUB are converted to Org source blocks (#+BEGIN_SRC ... #+END_SRC). In Emacs Org-mode, you can execute these code blocks directly (C-c C-c), edit them with proper syntax highlighting, and export them to HTML or PDF with syntax highlighting. This is perfect for technical books with programming examples.

Q: How does Org-mode compare to Markdown for note-taking?

A: Org-mode is far more powerful than Markdown for productivity. It includes TODO management, scheduling, agenda views, properties, code execution, LaTeX math, table calculations, and extensive export options. Markdown is simpler and more universal; Org-mode is more powerful but requires Emacs. For serious knowledge work, many prefer Org-mode.

Q: Can I use Org files with version control (Git)?

A: Absolutely! Org files are plain text, making them ideal for Git. You can track changes, view diffs, collaborate with others, and maintain version history. Many researchers and writers use Git + Org-mode for managing notes, papers, and books. This is much better than binary EPUB files for version control.

Q: What's the best way to learn Org-mode?

A: Start with the Org-mode compact guide (in Emacs: C-h i, then select Org Mode). Learn basic outline editing first (* headings, TAB to cycle visibility), then TODOs (C-c C-t), then gradually explore tags, properties, agenda, and export. The learning curve is steep but worthwhile. Communities like r/orgmode and the Org-mode mailing list are very helpful.