When you create a project you choose what kind of work it is. That sets up a starting structure, the word used for chapters, the line spacing, and front matter for the formats you're likely to export.
A template is only a starting point. You can add, rename and reorder anything afterwards, and any project can be exported to any format in the Compile dialog.
Prose
Template
Starts with
Chapters are called
Front matter folders
Made for
Novel
Prologue (off), Chapter 1 with Scene 1, Epilogue (off)
Chapter
Manuscript Format, Paperback, Ebook
Manuscript, Paperback, Proof, EPUB
Non-Fiction
Chapter 1 with Section 1
Chapter (numbered)
Manuscript Format, Paperback, Ebook
Manuscript, Paperback, Proof, EPUB
Short Story / Essay
Scene 1, no chapters
Section
Manuscript Format, Paperback, Ebook
Manuscript, EPUB
Children's books
Template
Starts with
Chapters are called
Front matter folders
Made for
Children's Book (Square)
Page 1
Page
Manuscript Format, Paperback
Children's Book 8.5″ × 8.5″
Children's Book (Portrait)
Page 1
Page
Manuscript Format, Paperback
Children's Book 8.5″ × 11″
Children's Book (Landscape)
Page 1
Page
Manuscript Format, Paperback
Children's Book 11″ × 8.5″
Academic
Template
Starts with
Chapters are called
Front matter folders
Made for
Academic Paper (APA 7th)
An empty manuscript
Section
Manuscript Format
APA 7th (DOCX, PDF)
Academic Paper (MLA 9th)
An empty manuscript
Section
Manuscript Format
MLA 9th (DOCX, PDF)
Essay (Chicago 17th)
An empty manuscript
Section
Manuscript Format
Chicago 17th (DOCX, PDF)
Scripts
Template
Starts with
Chapters are called
Front matter folders
Made for
Screenplay
Act One, Two and Three, each with Scene 1
Act
Screenplay
Screenplay PDF, Fountain
TV Script
Cold Open, Act One, Act Two, Tag
Act
TV Script
Screenplay PDF, Fountain
Documentary Script
Segment 1 and 2, each with Scene 1
Segment
TV Script
Documentary PDF, Fountain
Stage Play (US)
Act One and Two, each with Scene 1
Act
Manuscript Format
Stage Play (US) PDF
Stage Play (UK)
Act One and Two, each with Scene 1
Act
Manuscript Format
Stage Play UK PDF
Tabletop roleplaying
Template
Starts with
Chapters are called
Front matter folders
Made for
Tabletop Adventure
Overview (Introduction, Adventure Hook, Content Warnings), Part 1 and Part 2, an opening encounter and a starting location
Part
Tabletop
Tabletop Adventure (PDF)
Tabletop Campaign
Campaign Overview (Premise, Factions & People, Safety Tools), Session 1 and a home base
Part
Tabletop
Tabletop Adventure (PDF)
Other
Template
Starts with
Chapters are called
Front matter folders
Made for
Blank
An empty manuscript
Chapter
All five folders
Any
Also set by the template
Line spacing: double for prose, children's books and academic work (standard submission format); single for scripts and plays; 1.5 for Blank.
Back matter: Novel, Non-Fiction and Short Story start with an About the Author page. Other types start with none, and you can add pages yourself.
Templates: starter documents in the Templates section, such as Blank Scene, Scene with Synopsis Block, Chapter Opening, Screenplay Scene, TV Scene and Reference Note, depending on the type. See Templates.
The two tabletop types also get their own left bar for encounters, creatures, maps and the rest of your prep. See Tabletop RPGs.
The Novel's Prologue and Epilogue start switched off, marked “(off)” above. Tick Include in Final Draft to write in them and compile them, or ignore them if your book doesn't need them.
Something here doesn't match what you see in the app? Email
[email protected]
and we'll fix the page.