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EPUBCheck · Resources and references

RSC-011

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EPUBCheck RSC-011 is an error message: “Found a reference to a resource that is not a spine item.” A hyperlink points to a content document that is in the manifest but not in the spine, so reading apps may not be able to open it.

The official message

Found a reference to a resource that is not a spine item.

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 note, appendix or answer page linked from the text but never added to the spine.

How to fix it

  • Add the document to the spine. If it should not appear when paging through the book, add it with linear="no".

Terms used here

Other RSC messages

  • RSC-010 Reference to non-standard resource type found.
  • RSC-012 Fragment identifier is not defined.
  • RSC-009 A non-SVG image resource should not be defined with a fragment identifier.
  • RSC-013 Fragment identifier is used in a reference to a stylesheet resource.
  • RSC-008 Referenced resource "…" is not declared in the OPF manifest.
  • RSC-007 Referenced resource "…" could not be found in the EPUB.

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

FAQ

What does EPUBCheck RSC-011 mean?

EPUBCheck RSC-011 is an error message: “Found a reference to a resource that is not a spine item.” A hyperlink points to a content document that is in the manifest but not in the spine, so reading apps may not be able to open it.

Is RSC-011 an error?

RSC-011 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.