3 Easy Steps to Format and Compile in Scrivener

Scrivener, the acclaimed writing and worldbuilding software, offers a comprehensive set of tools to streamline the writing process. Among its many features, the ability to format and compile your work stands out as a powerful tool for seamlessly transitioning your ideas into polished manuscripts. Whether you’re crafting a novel, screenplay, or research paper, Scrivener’s intuitive interface and customizable options empower you to create professional-looking documents effortlessly.

To begin formatting your Scrivener project, navigate to the “Format” menu. Here, you’ll find a wide range of options to customize the appearance of your text, including font size, style, and color. Additionally, Scrivener allows you to create and apply custom styles, ensuring consistency throughout your document. Once you’re satisfied with the formatting, you can proceed to compile your project into a variety of file formats, such as PDF, ePub, and Word. Scrivener’s compilation process is designed to preserve the integrity of your formatting, ensuring that your manuscript maintains its polished appearance when exported.

Furthermore, Scrivener’s compilation capabilities extend beyond simple formatting. With its advanced features, you can effortlessly generate tables of contents, indexes, and other essential elements for professional-grade documents. Additionally, Scrivener seamlessly integrates with third-party tools, allowing you to enhance your compilation process even further. By leveraging Scrivener’s robust formatting and compilation capabilities, you can confidently produce polished manuscripts that showcase your writing with clarity and professionalism.

Create a New Scrivener Project

Creating a new Scrivener project is the first step in using the software. To create a new project:

Launch Scrivener on your Mac or PC.
Click on the “File” menu and select “New Project”.
Enter a name for your project in the “Project Title” field.
You can also select a template for your project from the “Template” drop-down menu. If you are not sure which template to choose, you can select the “Blank Template” option.
Click on the “Create” button to create your new project.

Your new project will be opened in the Scrivener window. The window is divided into three main areas: the binder, the editor, and the inspector.

The binder is located on the left side of the window and contains a list of all the documents in your project. You can create new documents, rename documents, and move documents around the binder.

The editor is located in the center of the window and is where you will write and edit your text. The editor has a variety of features that can help you with your writing, such as a spell checker, a grammar checker, and a thesaurus.

The inspector is located on the right side of the window and contains a variety of settings that you can use to customize your project. You can change the font, the font size, and the page layout. You can also add notes, tags, and keywords to your documents.

Add a Manuscript to Your Project

To format and compile your manuscript in Scrivener, you must first add it to your project. Here’s how:

1. Create a New Project

Open Scrivener and click on “File” > “New Project.” A new project will be created with a default folder called “Untitled Project.” You can rename it by clicking on the folder name and typing in a new one.

2. Import Your Manuscript

There are several ways to import your manuscript into Scrivener:

**Drag and drop:** Select your manuscript file(s) in Finder (Mac) or Explorer (Windows) and drag them into the Scrivener project window.
**Import:** Click on “File” > “Import” > “Files.” Select your manuscript file(s) in the file browser and click “Open.”
**Paste:** Copy your manuscript text into a new Scrivener document by clicking on “File” > “New” > “Document.” Right-click in the document and select “Paste.”

Method	Description
Drag and drop	Quick and easy, preserves file structure (if applicable).
Import	Allows for selective import of files.
Paste	Suitable for text-only manuscripts, loses file structure.

Once your manuscript is imported, it will appear in the Binder on the left-hand side of the Scrivener window. You can create multiple documents within a single project, each representing a chapter, section, or other logical subdivision of your manuscript.

Set Up Your Document Margins

Before you begin compiling your document, it’s important to set up your document margins to ensure that your final product looks professional and polished. Here’s how to do it:

Top and Bottom Margins

The top and bottom margins determine the amount of white space at the top and bottom of your pages. For most documents, a one-inch margin is standard. To set your top and bottom margins:

Click on the “Layout” menu in the Scrivener toolbar.
Select “Document Setup” from the drop-down menu.
In the “Page Setup” dialog box, enter your desired top and bottom margin values in the “Margins” section. Click “OK” to save your changes.

Left and Right Margins

The left and right margins determine the amount of white space on the left and right sides of your pages. For most documents, a one-inch margin is also standard. To set your left and right margins:

Click on the “Layout” menu in the Scrivener toolbar.
Select “Document Setup” from the drop-down menu.
In the “Page Setup” dialog box, enter your desired left and right margin values in the “Margins” section. Click “OK” to save your changes.

Set Margins in a Table

If you need to set different margins for specific sections of your document, you can create a table to specify the desired margins for each section. To do this:

Section	Top Margin	Bottom Margin	Left Margin	Right Margin
Heading 1	1.5 inches	1 inch	1 inch	1 inch
Body Text	1 inch	1 inch	1 inch	1 inch
Footer	0.5 inches	0.5 inches	1 inch	1 inch

Choose a Page Orientation

The first step in formatting your compile in Scrivener is to choose a page orientation. This will determine the layout of your document, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

There are two main page orientations to choose from: portrait and landscape.

**Portrait** orientation is the most common, and it’s typically used for documents that are taller than they are wide. This orientation is well-suited for most types of documents, including letters, reports, and articles.

**Landscape** orientation is used for documents that are wider than they are tall. This orientation is often used for documents that need to display a lot of data, such as spreadsheets and charts.

Customizing Page Orientation

In addition to the two main page orientations, you can also customize your page orientation by changing the margins, gutter, and page size.

**Margins** are the blank spaces around the edges of your document. You can increase or decrease the margins to change the amount of white space around your text.

**Gutter** is the space between the left and right pages of a document. You can increase or decrease the gutter to change the amount of space between the pages.

**Page size** is the overall size of your document. You can choose from a variety of standard page sizes, or you can create a custom page size.

Here is a table summarizing the different page orientation options:

Orientation	Description
Portrait	Taller than it is wide
Landscape	Wider than it is tall
Custom	Allows you to customize the margins, gutter, and page size

Use Templates to Save Time

Scrivener comes with a variety of templates to help you get started with your writing project. These templates can save you time by providing a pre-formatted document with all the essential elements you need, such as a title page, table of contents, and chapters.

Creating a New Template

To create a new template, open the File menu and select New Template. In the New Template dialog box, enter a name for your template and select the type of document you want to create. You can also choose to base your template on an existing document.

Using a Template

To use a template, open the File menu and select New Project. In the New Project dialog box, select the template you want to use.

Customizing a Template

You can customize a template to meet your specific needs. To do this, open the template in the Document Editor and make the desired changes. You can add or remove elements, change the formatting, or add your own custom content.

Saving a Template

Once you have made your changes, you can save the template by opening the File menu and selecting Save Template. Your template will be saved in the Templates folder, and you can use it to create new projects in the future.

Sharing a Template

You can share your templates with other Scrivener users by exporting them to a file. To do this, open the template in the Document Editor and open the File menu. Select Export, and then select Template. In the Export Template dialog box, enter a name for your template and select the location where you want to save it.

Importing a Template

To import a template, open the File menu and select Import. In the Import dialog box, browse to the location of the template file and select it. Click the Import button to import the template into Scrivener.

Template	Description
Blank Document	A blank document with no formatting or elements.
Standard Novel	A novel template with a title page, table of contents, chapters, and a back matter section.
Screenplay	A screenplay template with the correct formatting for a screenplay.
Short Story	A short story template with the correct formatting for a short story.
Non-Fiction Book	A non-fiction book template with a title page, table of contents, chapters, and a back matter section.

Compile Your Manuscript into Different Formats

Compile for Kindle, EPUB, and PDF

Scrivener allows you to compile your manuscript into various formats, including Kindle (MOBI), EPUB, and PDF. These formats are suitable for different e-readers and platforms. To compile your manuscript into one of these formats:

Go to the “File” menu and select “Compile”
Choose the desired format (e.g., Kindle, EPUB, PDF)
Customize the compilation settings (e.g., font size, margins, cover page)
Click “Compile”

Compile to Microsoft Word (.docx)

You can also compile your manuscript into a Microsoft Word document (.docx). This format is useful if you need to edit or share your manuscript in a widely compatible format:

Go to the “File” menu and select “Compile”
Choose “Microsoft Word (.docx)”
Customize the compilation settings (e.g., font size, margins, cover page)
Click “Compile”

Compile to Plain Text (.txt)

If you need a simple, unformatted version of your manuscript, you can compile it to a plain text file (.txt). This format is suitable for archiving or sharing your manuscript with text editors or other programs.

Go to the “File” menu and select “Compile”
Choose “Plain Text (.txt)”
Customize the compilation settings (e.g., line breaks, encoding)
Click “Compile”

Compile to HTML

You can compile your manuscript into an HTML file, which can be viewed in web browsers. This format is useful if you want to share your manuscript online or create a website for your book.

Go to the “File” menu and select “Compile”
Choose “HTML”
Customize the compilation settings (e.g., font size, colors, navigation)
Click “Compile”

Compile to LaTeX

Scrivener supports LaTeX compilation for users who prefer the typesetting capabilities and advanced formatting options of LaTeX. To compile your manuscript to LaTeX:

Go to the “File” menu and select “Compile”
Choose “LaTeX”
Customize the compilation settings (e.g., document class, packages, bibliography)
Click “Compile”

Create Custom Compilation Formats

In addition to the preset compilation formats, Scrivener allows you to create custom compilation formats tailored to your specific needs. This can involve modifying existing formats or creating entirely new templates.

Steps to Create a Custom Compilation Format

Go to the “File” menu and select “Compile”
Click “Edit Formats…”
Create a new format or modify an existing one
Adjust the compilation settings (e.g., file type, formatting, metadata)
Save your custom format

Customize HTML and LaTeX Formats

For advanced users, Scrivener provides options to customize HTML and LaTeX compilation formats by editing their underlying templates. This allows you to fine-tune the appearance and functionality of your compiled manuscripts.

Edit and Proofread Your Compiled Manuscript

Once you have compiled your manuscript, it is important to take the time to edit and proofread it carefully. This will help you to identify and correct any errors that may have been introduced during the writing or compilation process.

Editing

When editing your manuscript, focus on the following areas:

Structure: Ensure that your manuscript has a logical flow and that the chapters and sections are organized in a way that makes sense.
Content: Check for any factual errors, inconsistencies, or missing information. Make sure that your writing is clear, concise, and engaging.
Style: Pay attention to your writing style and ensure that it is consistent throughout the manuscript. Check for any grammatical errors, typos, or formatting mistakes.
Readability: Have someone else read your manuscript to provide feedback on its readability. This will help you identify any areas that may be difficult to understand or confusing.

Proofreading

After you have edited your manuscript, it is important to proofread it carefully. This involves checking for any remaining errors, such as:

Typos: Look for any misspelled words or incorrect grammar.
Formatting errors: Check that your margins, fonts, and headers are consistent throughout the manuscript.
Citations: Ensure that all references and citations are accurate and formatted correctly.
Figures and tables: Verify that all figures and tables are correctly numbered and have appropriate captions.

Using a Table for Proofreading

Consider using a table to help you organize your proofreading process. List each chapter or section in the left-hand column, and then check off each item on the checklist as you proofread. This will help you to stay organized and ensure that you have addressed all aspects of your manuscript.

Chapter/Section	Typos	Formatting	Citations	Figures/Tables
Chapter 1	✓	✓	✓	✓
Chapter 2	✓	✓	✓	✓
Chapter 3	✓	✓	✓	✓

Share Your Manuscript with Others

1. Compile Your Manuscript

Navigate to the “File” menu and select “Compile” to prepare your manuscript for sharing.

2. Select Compile Options

In the “Compile Options” dialog box, customize settings like output format, font, and page size.

3. Choose an Output Format

Select your desired output format from various options, including PDF, ePub, Word, and HTML.

4. Set Output Location

Specify where the compiled manuscript will be saved by selecting an output location on your computer.

5. Add Title Page and Metadata

In the “Cover Page” tab, add a title page with necessary metadata, such as author name and book title.

6. Generating Table of Contents

If desired, enable the “Table of Contents” option to automatically generate a table of contents.

7. Customize Page Setup

Adjust margins, headers, footers, and other page setup options to enhance the manuscript’s presentation.

8. Control Header and Footer Text

Specify custom text or page numbers to appear in the header or footer of the compiled manuscript.

9. Configure Hyphenation and Justification

Enable hyphenation to improve text flow and justification settings to align text edges.

10. Sharing Options

Once compiled, you can share your manuscript in various ways:

Option	Description
Send as Attachment	Email or share the compiled manuscript as an attachment.
Save to Cloud	Store the manuscript on cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive.
Generate Preview	Create a web-based preview of the compiled manuscript for sharing.
Create Self-Published Book	Use Scrivener’s Publishing Wizard to publish your manuscript on platforms like Amazon KDP.

How to Format and Compile Your Work in Scrivener

Scrivener is a comprehensive writing tool that offers a range of features to help writers organize, format, and compile their work. Here’s a guide on how to effectively format and compile your manuscript in Scrivener:

**Formatting your document:**

Select a template: Begin by choosing a template that suits your project’s genre and style. Scrivener provides various pre-built templates that can be customized to your specific needs.
Create chapters and sections: Divide your manuscript into logical chapters and sections using the "Binder" view. You can drag and drop scenes or text into the desired placement.
Use styles: Apply styles to your text to ensure consistency in headings, paragraphs, and other elements. Scrivener offers a built-in library of styles or allows you to create custom ones.
Check formatting: Use the "Proofing" menu to check your manuscript for potential errors in formatting, spelling, or grammar.

**Compiling your manuscript:**

Choose a compile format: Scrivener supports compiling your manuscript into various formats, including PDF, ePub, Kindle, and Word. Select the desired format based on your project’s requirements.
Set compile options: Adjust compile settings such as page margins, headers, footers, and the inclusion of metadata. You can also customize the appearance of your compiled file by selecting a template or creating your own.
Preview and export: Preview the compiled file before exporting it to ensure it meets your expectations. Once satisfied, click the "Export" button to generate your final manuscript.