How to edit EPUB metadata
After you add a file, EPUB Metadata Editor reads its package metadata and fills the form with Title, Creators, Contributors, Language code, Identifiers, Publisher, Dates, Subjects, Description, and Cover reference. The page validates the rebuilt package, then prepares an EPUB and a separate change report. The rewrite targets the OPF <metadata> node, so the reading order and content files remain in the archive.
- Drop a
.epubfile ontoDrop a .epub file here, or clickbrowse files. - Review the populated fields, including Title, Language code, Publisher, Cover reference, and Description.
- Add repeated entries with
+ Add creator,+ Add contributor,+ Add identifier,+ Add date, or+ Add subject, then edit their values. - Click
Download .epubfor the rebuilt book, or clickDownload change reportfor the plain-text before-and-after report.
What EPUB metadata fields can you change?
The form loads the values it supports from the package. Title, Language code, Publisher, Cover reference, and Description each have one field. Creators, Contributors, Identifiers, Dates, and Subjects use repeated rows.
Creator and contributor rows have a name, role, and file-as value. Identifier rows have a value, scheme, and primary checkbox. Date rows have a date value and event. Subject rows have a subject value. The rebuild leaves empty repeated rows out.
Title: Old title
Language code: en
Identifier value: urn:isbn:...
After editing Title:
Title: New titleSelecting a non-empty primary identifier changes the package unique-identifier reference to the rebuilt identifier. Role, file-as, scheme, and event are text fields. The editor does not check those values against a vocabulary.
How EPUB metadata validation works
Before the form appears, the page reads META-INF/container.xml, locates the OPF package document, and checks the package, metadata, manifest, and spine. It rejects an archive containing META-INF/encryption.xml. DRM-protected EPUB files cannot be edited here.
After a change, the rebuilt OPF must parse as XML and contain a manifest, spine, and metadata element. Validation requires a title, language, and identifier, checks spine references against manifest items, and confirms those files exist in the archive. If the package has a unique-identifier value, that value must point to one of the rebuilt identifiers.
The page replaces the OPF <metadata> node and repacks the archive. Manifest entries, spine order, chapter files, images, and stylesheets stay as they were. Metadata elements, attributes, and refinements with no field in this form are left out of the rebuilt metadata. The Cover reference control selects an existing manifest image or clears the legacy <meta name="cover"> reference; it does not edit the image file or the manifest cover-image property.
Where editing EPUB metadata comes up
- A publisher corrects a title, publisher name, language code, or description before distributing an EPUB.
- An author adds a creator or contributor row, then checks the generated before-and-after report against the catalog record.
- A library worker adds an identifier, marks it primary, and downloads the rebuilt EPUB for the next cataloging step.
- A technician changes the cover reference to one of the image files already listed in the EPUB manifest.
When to use Ebook Edit Tools
Use Ebook Edit Tools when the change belongs in ebook metadata or another editable ebook structure. EPUB Metadata Editor is the right page when the EPUB package should stay an EPUB and only the supported metadata fields need attention.
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit EPUB metadata without uploading the book?
Yes. The EPUB is read, edited, validated, and repacked inside your browser. The page does not send the uploaded file to a server.
Will editing EPUB metadata change the book text?
The rebuild writes the supported metadata into the OPF. Chapter files, images, stylesheets, manifest entries, and spine order remain from the uploaded archive.
Can I edit a DRM-protected EPUB?
No. If the archive contains META-INF/encryption.xml, EPUB Metadata Editor refuses to open it and does not attempt to remove or bypass DRM.
What does the EPUB metadata change report show?
It shows before-and-after values for Title, Creators, Contributors, Language, Identifiers, Publisher, Dates, Subjects, Description, and Cover reference. When the values stay the same, it records that no metadata fields were changed.