Setting up your Library CSV

Chapters Audiobook Player allows you to store information about your audiobooks in any system of your choosing, as long as it can provide a CSV with links to download the files.

Using Google Sheets

We recommend using Google Sheets as a source. It's free, easy to manage, and provides a direct CSV link.

Step 1: Create your Sheet

Create a new Google Sheet with the following four columns in the first row:

  • Title
  • Author
  • Folder (Optional, for organization)
  • Download URL

Alternatively, you can make a copy of our template:
Chapters Template Sheet

Step 2: Get the CSV Link

To use the sheet in Chapters, you need the direct CSV export link. Copy your sheet's URL and replace everything from /edit... onwards with /gviz/tq?tqx=out:csv.

Example URL format:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/YOUR_SHEET_ID/gviz/tq?tqx=out:csv

Step 3: Add your Audiobooks

Fill in the details for each audiobook. Ensure the Download URL is a direct link to the audio file (e.g., from Dropbox, Google Drive, or your own server).

Step 4: Connect to Chapters

Open the Chapters app on your iOS device, go to settings, and paste your CSV link. The app will sync and your books will appear in the library ready for download.

Pro Tips

  • Direct Links: Ensure your Download URLs are "direct". For Google Drive, use a direct download link generator.
  • Automatic Updates: Whenever you add a new row to your sheet, Chapters will automatically see the new book the next time it syncs.
  • Folders: Use the "Folder" column to group series or genres together in the app.