File formats
Google accepts the following file formats:
- .pdf (learn more about .pdf file configuration)
- .epub (learn more about .epub files)
- .jpeg, .tiff, .pdf, and .png (for covers only)
If you plan to sell your book on Google Play, provide your book content in both .epub and .pdf format to give your readers more view options. However, only one format is required.
Content guidelines
Before you upload any files, please ensure your content meets Google's guidelines. If you plan to sell your books on Google Play, you should also review our publisher content policies for books on Google Play.
Size limits
- Each file (including cover image files) should be less than 2 GB.
- The book should be at least 4 pages long.
Format-specific guidelines
|
|
.epub |
|
Filenames
Check the table below for example filenames, based on how you plan to submit your files.
A single .pdf file that includes the cover |
|
---|---|
A .pdf file that doesn't contain covers. Cover images provided in separate files * |
* An incomplete set of files will not process. Read more. |
A book split into multiple .pdf files * |
* An incomplete set of files will not process. Read more. |
An .epub file |
|
Which identifier to use:
- If you upload files for a single book from the book's "Content" tab: You don't need to include the identifier in the filename. Otherwise, the identifier is necessary to associate the file with the correct book. The filename extension will be used to determine what kind of file you've uploaded.
- If your books already have unique identifiers such as an ISBN or a Google-assigned GGKEY: Replace
ISBN
in the example filenames above with the book's actual identifier. (For GGKEY identifiers, you don't have to include theGGKEY:
prefix). If you have both a print and an electronic ISBN, we generally recommend to name your .pdf files using the print ISBN, and name the .epub files using the electronic ISBN. See more information about ISBNs. - If your books don't have unique identifiers: You can use your own filenames. Replace
ISBN
in the example filenames above with text of your choice. A 10-digit or 13-digit number should be avoided, as they may be mistaken by our system to be ISBNs. We also recommend that you avoid usage of the underscore character (_
) except as noted in the examples (e.g._interior
or_frontcover
).
Cover files
Cover files should be in .jpeg, .pdf, .tiff, or .png format and have the appropriate filename extension.
Upload & update files
You can upload one or more files for a single book or for multiple books in the Partner Center.
To update a file, upload the new version, which replaces the old version.
One file for a single book
To upload a file for a single book:
- In the book’s settings, go to the “Content” tab.
- Upload the new file.
To update content or cover images, upload a new .pdf or .epub file to the existing book listing.
Multiple files for a single book
To upload multiple files for a single book:
- In the book’s settings, go to the “Content” tab.
- Make sure that your files follow the naming requirements.
- Upload and submit all the files at the same time.
- If you don't submit all the required files at the same time, the files are listed under "Pending Content" on the book's Content tab. The content or cover doesn't process until you submit all the expected files. For example,
ISBN_frontcover.pdf
stays listed under "Pending Content" until you uploadISBN_interior.pdf
.
- If you don't submit all the required files at the same time, the files are listed under "Pending Content" on the book's Content tab. The content or cover doesn't process until you submit all the expected files. For example,
When you update a book with multiple files:
- For multi-part .pdfs, like
ISBN_1of2.pdf
andISBN_2of2.pdf
: Resubmit all the files, even if not all of them are getting updated. - For a .pdf file without the cover, like
ISBN_interior.pdf
andISBN_frontcover.jpg
: Resubmit the content (ISBN_interior.pdf
) to trigger the process for the most recent set of files. Alternatively, if you update the cover image with a .pdf file and don't change any other files, name the file asISBN_frontcoveronly.pdf
.
Multiple files for multiple books
To upload multiple files for multiple books:
- Go to the Book Catalog.
- Select Advanced
Add multiple content files.
Each updated filename must have either:
- The same filename as its original file, or
- The identifier as a prefix
If you use a filename that doesn't meet these requirements, you get a new book listing in your Book Catalog.
Tips:
- You can’t delete a file. You can upload a new file to replace the previous one.
- Users who downloaded the old version must reload the book to get the new version. Learn how to fix book loading issues.
- Make sure the file that you use to replace the book doesn’t negatively affect the user’s experience, which violates the program policies of Play Books. Learn about publisher content policies for Play Books.
File status & history
You can view the status of files you've submitted by visiting your Book Catalog, click the book title, then go to the Content tab.
Your most recently uploaded files which haven't yet processed will display under "Pending Content" with a status message. If there are any issues, click the error message for more information. If your files process successfully, the latest versions of each display type (e.g. the most recent .epub file, the most recent .pdf file, and the most recent cover image file) will be listed under "Processed Content" or "Cover Files."
Filenames listed in the history may differ from the filenames you used when you submit files, as any files submitted through the "Content" tab will be renamed to include the identifier in the filename. This won't interfere with the processing of your files.