Checklist: Preparing Your Ebook File Before Converting

August 9, 2026BookConv Team
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Most conversion problems are decided before you click convert. A few minutes of preparation — fixing the source file, picking the right target, and avoiding common mistakes — saves a failed job and a broken output. Use this checklist every time you convert an ebook.

Why Preparation Matters

A converter can only work with what the source gives it. If the source has no heading structure, the output has no table of contents. If the source is a 200 MB scanned PDF, the upload may fail. Preparing the file is what turns "it kind of worked" into "it worked."

The Pre-Conversion Checklist

Run through this before any conversion:

  • Confirm the format — know what you have (.epub, .pdf, .mobi, .fb2, .lit) and what the reader needs.

  • Fix the headings — use real H1/H2 styles so the TOC builds.

  • Save text as UTF-8 — prevents gibberish in the output.

  • Right-size images — keep them under the upload limit without hurting readability.

  • Pick the target by device — EPUB for most readers, AZW3 for modern Kindles, PDF only when layout must stay fixed.

  • Remove DRM you do not own — converters only handle DRM-free files.

  • Back up the original — keep the source before overwriting anything.


If something still goes wrong, our common ebook format problems guide maps each symptom to a fix.

Format-Specific Notes

  • EPUB — usually clean; just confirm headings and embedded fonts.

  • PDF — scanned PDFs need OCR-style handling and a formatting-aware path; see PDF to EPUB keep-formatting.

  • MOBI — legacy; convert to EPUB or AZW3 rather than keeping it.

  • FB2 / LIT — convert to EPUB for universal reading; route to AZW3 for Kindle.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Sending EPUB straight to a Kindle — Kindles do not read EPUB; convert to AZW3 first (see 5 reasons your ebook won't open on Kindle).

  • Targeting MOBI for a new Kindle — use AZW3.

  • One giant upload — split large batches with batch conversion.

  • Ignoring the encoding — always UTF-8 for text sources.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepare the source — headings, UTF-8, right-sized images.

  • Match the target to the device — EPUB off-Kindle, AZW3 on-Kindle.

  • Keep the original as a backup before converting.

  • Use batch mode for many files instead of one oversized upload.

  • When in doubt, the common problems guide has the fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check before converting an ebook?

Confirm the source format and the reader's required format, fix heading styles so the TOC builds, save text as UTF-8, right-size images to clear the upload limit, and back up the original. Then pick the target by device.

Do I need to prepare a PDF before converting?

Often yes. Scanned PDFs need a formatting-aware conversion path to keep images and layout, and very large PDFs may exceed upload limits until you shrink the images. The PDF to EPUB keep-formatting guide covers the settings.

Why convert to AZW3 and not MOBI for a Kindle?

Modern Kindles read AZW3 natively and Amazon removed MOBI from Send to Kindle in 2022. AZW3 keeps CSS and embedded fonts; MOBI flattens them. Use AZW3 for any Kindle from 2015 onward.

Can I convert many files at once?

Yes. For a library or a folder of books, use batch conversion instead of one oversized upload. It handles many files and returns them together, which is more reliable than a single huge job.

Why does my text come out as gibberish?

An encoding mismatch, usually from a non-UTF-8 source. Re-save the text as UTF-8 before converting. This single step prevents most mojibake in the output.

Should I keep the original file?

Always. Back up the source before converting so you can retry with different settings or a different target format. A converter transforms a copy; your original should stay untouched.

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