Here are the most common reasons Book Library doesn't do what you expect, and what to do about each.
I can't see some of my books
Check the filters above the list:
- Search books… may still have text in it. Clear it to see everything.
- The pen name filter may be set to one pen name. Choose All pen names.
- Series or Language may be set. Choose All series or All languages.
The count next to the list (for example "12 shown") tells you how many books match your current filters.
The Add New Book button is greyed out
You're working in an account where your role can view books but not edit them. Ask the account owner to give your role edit permission for Book Catalog in Collaboration. The same goes for the trash icon, which needs delete permission. If you see No Access instead of the library, your role doesn't include Book Library at all.
The Add Book button won't click
A book needs a Title before it can be saved. Fill it in on the Details tab.
"Not a valid ISBN-13 — check digit doesn't match."
The ISBN-13 field only accepts 13 digits, and checks that the last digit matches the rest. This usually means a digit was mistyped or two digits were swapped. Hyphens and spaces are removed automatically. An ISBN-10 won't work here.
The title search isn't working
- "This account has no author name yet. Ask the account owner to add one in Settings." A search needs a pen name. Only the account owner can add one, in Settings.
- "Too many searches. Wait a moment and try again." You've run a lot of searches in the last minute. Wait a minute and try again.
- "Subscription required" Title search needs an active trial or paid plan.
- "Nothing found for that title. Try another spelling, or skip it." The book isn't in Google Books, Hardcover, Apple Books or Open Library under that title. Try a shorter title, or add the book by hand.
Some rows in my import were skipped
The preview explains each skipped row:
- No title: the row's title cell is empty.
- Already in your library: a book with the same ISBN, the same ASIN, or the same title and author is already in your library, or earlier in the same file.
Other notes don't stop a book being imported, but tell you what was left blank, such as an ISBN, ASIN, publication date or page count that couldn't be read.
If you see "That file has … rows. Import 500 at a time or fewer.", split your file into smaller files.
My cover won't upload
- "Cover must be a JPEG, PNG, WebP, or GIF image." Save the cover in one of those formats and try again.
- "Cover must be under 10MB." Export a smaller version of the image.
- "Couldn't access your connected storage…" Your files are stored in Dropbox or Google Drive and the app can't reach that account. If you're asked to Enter Your Master Recovery Key, enter it. If that doesn't help, reconnect the account under File Storage in Settings.
A cover has disappeared
If you pasted a link to a cover image, the cover is shown from that website. If the website removes it, the cover can't be shown. Upload the image file instead.