Convert MOBI to TSV

Why Convert MOBI to TSV?

Converting MOBI ebooks to TSV format is valuable when you need to extract structured data from ebook metadata or content for analysis in spreadsheet applications or databases. While MOBI is designed for narrative reading, TSV provides a tabular format ideal for organizing book information, metadata, chapter listings, or extracted data in a structured way.

MOBI (Mobipocket) format was the primary format for Amazon Kindle devices before being superseded by AZW3/KF8. While MOBI files work well for reading on Kindle, the proprietary binary format makes it difficult to extract metadata or analyze content systematically. Converting to TSV creates a tabular representation that can be easily imported into Excel, Google Sheets, databases, or data analysis tools.

TSV format uses tab characters as delimiters between columns, making it more robust than CSV when dealing with data that may contain commas. This is particularly useful for book metadata which often includes titles, descriptions, and other text fields where commas are common. The simple plain text format ensures compatibility with virtually any spreadsheet or database application.

Note: Amazon announced in 2022 that they are phasing out MOBI format in favor of EPUB and KF8 for Kindle publishing. Converting your MOBI metadata to TSV allows you to maintain a structured catalog of your ebook library in a format that's easy to search, sort, and analyze.

Key Benefits of Converting MOBI to TSV:

• Metadata Extraction: Extract book info, author, title, publisher data
• Catalog Management: Create searchable ebook library catalogs
• Spreadsheet Analysis: Analyze book collections in Excel or Sheets
• Database Import: Import book data into library management systems
• Data Mining: Extract and analyze content structure
• Universal Compatibility: Works with all spreadsheet applications
• Easy Parsing: Simple format for programmatic processing

Practical Examples

Example 1: eBook Metadata Catalog

Input MOBI file (programming-guide.mobi):

[Binary MOBI file]
Title: Python Programming Guide
Author: John Developer
Publisher: Tech Books Inc.
Year: 2023
Pages: 450

Output TSV file (programming-guide.tsv):

Title	Author	Publisher	Year	Pages	Format
Python Programming Guide	John Developer	Tech Books Inc.	2023	450	MOBI

Example 2: Book Collection Catalog

Input: Multiple MOBI files in library

mystery-novel.mobi (The Silent Witness)
scifi-book.mobi (Stars Beyond)
cookbook.mobi (Easy Recipes)

Output TSV file (library-catalog.tsv):

Filename	Title	Genre	Author	Year
mystery-novel.mobi	The Silent Witness	Mystery	Jane Smith	2022
scifi-book.mobi	Stars Beyond	Science Fiction	Bob Johnson	2023
cookbook.mobi	Easy Recipes	Cookbook	Chef Maria	2021

Example 3: Chapter Index Extraction

Input MOBI file (textbook.mobi):

[Educational Textbook]
Table of Contents:
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Basic Concepts
- Chapter 3: Advanced Topics

Output TSV file (textbook-chapters.tsv):

Chapter	Title	Page
1	Introduction	1
2	Basic Concepts	25
3	Advanced Topics	87

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is MOBI format?

A: MOBI (Mobipocket) is an ebook format originally developed by Mobipocket SA and later acquired by Amazon in 2005. It was the primary format for Kindle devices before being replaced by AZW3/KF8. MOBI files use PalmDOC compression and can contain DRM protection. Amazon announced in 2022 that MOBI is being phased out.

Q: What is TSV format?

A: TSV (Tab-Separated Values) is a plain text format for storing tabular data where columns are separated by tab characters (ASCII 9). Each row is on a new line, and the first row often contains column headers. TSV is widely used for data exchange between spreadsheets, databases, and data analysis tools.

Q: What data is extracted when converting MOBI to TSV?

A: The conversion typically extracts metadata such as title, author, publisher, publication date, ISBN, and other book information. Depending on the converter, it may also extract chapter titles, table of contents, or text content in a structured tabular format suitable for analysis.

Q: Can I convert DRM-protected MOBI files?

A: No, DRM-protected MOBI files cannot be converted without first removing the DRM, which may violate terms of service or copyright law. This converter works with DRM-free MOBI files only. Many personal documents and DRM-free ebooks can be converted without issues.

Q: Can I open TSV files in Excel or Google Sheets?

A: Yes, TSV files open natively in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, and virtually any spreadsheet application. The tab delimiters are automatically recognized, and data is properly organized into columns. You can then sort, filter, and analyze the data as needed.

Q: How is TSV different from CSV?

A: TSV uses tab characters as delimiters while CSV uses commas. TSV is often preferred when data contains commas (like book descriptions or titles), as tabs are less likely to appear in text content. Both formats are plain text and widely supported by spreadsheet applications.

Q: Can I edit the TSV file and convert it back to MOBI?

A: TSV files contain only metadata or structured data, not the full ebook content with formatting. While you can edit the metadata in TSV format, converting back to MOBI would require additional tools to rebuild the complete ebook structure with formatting, images, and layout.

Q: Why would I need MOBI data in TSV format?

A: TSV format is ideal for cataloging ebook libraries, analyzing book collections, importing metadata into library management systems, creating searchable databases, or performing data analysis on multiple books. It's particularly useful for librarians, publishers, and anyone managing large ebook collections.