Change Line Type

Change Line Type

This will apply only to selected lines.

1. Press Ctrl/Cmd + (the number that corresponds with the line type)
   1. With the Line Types widget visible, pressing Ctrl/Cmd will reveal the shortcut for each line type, if it has one.
   2. You can also find a list of keyboard shortcuts in Keyboard Shortcuts.

OR

1. Choose the desired line type from the Line Types widget
   1. Depending on your layout, the Line Types widget will either be at the top center or lefthand side.

1. Select Format > Line Type
2. Choose the desired line type

The Line Type's Intuitive Nature

Each document template's line types have been formatted to follow a traditional pattern of progression based on industry standards. 

Using the Screenplay template as an example, the first line of the script will be a Scene line followed by an action line. Enter/Return will bring you to another Action line unless you press Tab, which will bring you to a Character line, then a Dialogue line, and back to an Action line. This pattern will continue as you make your way through the script. Strategic pressing of Enter/Return or Tab in specific places will lead you to auto-fill menus, Transitions, and other line types. 

The goal is to remove the time it takes to format a line or even choose the type of line you need. Writing should be seamless and uninterrupted. 

Available Line Types

• Scene (aka Slugline) - Single-line description of the location and time a scene takes place
  • Example: INT. NANCY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
• Action - Present-tense description of the setting and what happens in the scene
• Character - Name of the character speaking
  • Precedes Dialogue/Parenthetical
• Parentheticals (Parens) - Note about how the line is spoken
  • Follows Character
  • In Stageplays, Parentheticals can also be used to indicate stage directions
• Dialogue - Lines of speech delivered by the characters
  • Follows Character/Parenthetical
• Transition - Instructions for a visual change to the next scene
  • Examples: CUT TO:, DISSOLVE TO:, FADE TO BLACK:, SLAM CUT:, JUMP CUT:, etc.
• Shot - Camera directions used to guide the camera
  • Example: CLOSE ON [CHARACTER]
• Text - Write information that does not fit into another category
• Note - Comment that is not part of the document
  • Will not appear in PDF/print unless Include notes is selected
• Outline - Lines that can be used to add additional context to help you keep track of your vision
  • Will not appear in PDF/print unless Include notes is selected
• New Act - Breaks the document into Acts
  • Typically for TV scripts and stageplays
• End Act - Indicates the end of an Act
  • Typically for TV scripts and stageplays
• Lyrics - Dialogue that is sung or recited
• Image - Insert an image, video, or audio
• Sequence - Story beats that contain scenes
• Dual - Dual Dialogue indicating that two characters are speaking at once