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EPUBCheck · Package document (OPF)

OPF-065

Updated:

EPUBCheck OPF-065 is an error message: “Invalid metadata declaration, probably due to a cycle in "refines" metadata.” Metadata refines chains loop back on themselves, so EPUBCheck cannot resolve what refines what.

The official message

Invalid metadata declaration, probably due to a cycle in "refines" metadata.

Default severity
Error. The EPUB breaks a rule of the specification and is invalid. Stores and Send to Kindle may reject it, and EPUBCheck exits with status 1.
EPUBCheck version
5.4.0

Typical causes

  • A meta element whose refines attribute points, directly or through others, back to itself.

How to fix it

  • Make every refines point to the element it describes, with no loops.

Terms used here

Other OPF messages

  • OPF-066 Missing "dc:source" or "source-of" pagination metadata. The pagination source must be identified using the "dc:source" and "source-of" properties when the content includes page break markers.
  • OPF-067 The resource "…" must not be listed both as a "link" element in the package metadata and as a manifest item.
  • OPF-062 Found Adobe page-map attribute on spine element in opf file.
  • OPF-060 Duplicate entry in the ZIP file: "…" (file names must be unique after Unicode canonical normalization and full case folding).
  • OPF-074 Package resource "…" is declared in several manifest items.

Message text and severity from EPUBCheck 5.4.0 (W3C, BSD-3-Clause). Explanation by EPUBLab.

FAQ

What does EPUBCheck OPF-065 mean?

EPUBCheck OPF-065 is an error message: “Invalid metadata declaration, probably due to a cycle in "refines" metadata.” Metadata refines chains loop back on themselves, so EPUBCheck cannot resolve what refines what.

Is OPF-065 an error?

OPF-065 is reported as error by default. The EPUB breaks a rule of the specification and is invalid. Stores and Send to Kindle may reject it, and EPUBCheck exits with status 1.