Final Draft Cloud Quick Start Guide
Final Draft Cloud brings the industry-standard Final Draft writing experience to the browser, so you can write, organize, and securely share your scripts from anywhere. This Quick Start Guide walks you through the essentials — from getting started in Writer to understanding the Vault and collaboration tools. If you’re already familiar with Final Draft, explore the other Cloud topics below to dive deeper into advanced features and workflows.
Getting Started with Cloud
Starting with Writer
Get comfortable in Final Draft Cloud Writer and start formatting your first script right away. Learn how to create a new file, choose elements, and navigate your screenplay with confidence.
Advanced Writing
Take your script further with powerful tools built into Writer. Explore SmartType, Dual Dialogue, formatting controls, and workflow shortcuts that help you write faster and stay organized.
Meet the Vault
The Vault is your secure home base for scripts and projects in Final Draft Cloud. Learn how to organize files into Projects, share with collaborators, and manage your work from anywhere.
Using ScriptNotes
Leave feedback and manage revisions without changing your draft. Learn how to add ScriptNotes, reply in threads, and collaborate clearly using roles and permissions.
Sync to the Vault
Keep your scripts up to date across desktop and Cloud. Learn how the Final Draft Sync Utility connects Final Draft 13 with Final Draft Cloud.
Final Draft 13 Quick Start Guide
Final Draft 13 gives you powerful outlining, story structure, collaboration and editing tools in a friendly user interface that makes writing your screenplay effortless. This Quick Start video tutorial is for writers new to screenwriting software. If you are already familiar with Final Draft, explore our other videos to see all the great features available in Final Draft 13.
Getting Started with FD13
What’s New in FD13
Final Draft 13 features powerful new tools including Navigator 2.0, Typewriter, Emoji, Midnight Mode, Structure Lines, Custom Color PDFs and more.
Outline Elements
Send your outline to script and see it on the page for easy reference with Outline Elements, which allows you to show and hide the outline as needed during your writing process. This video tutorial applies to versions Final Draft 12 and above.
Outline Editor
The Outline Editor™ gives you a bird’s eye view of your screenplay structure, and as many customizable lanes as you want for high-level outlining.
Beat Board
Planning out your story? The Beat Board™ gives you limitless space to organize your ideas in a customizable, visual way. Plan set pieces, store character research, and much more...
ScriptNotes (Navigator 2.0 & Popover)
Want to make notes on your script? ScriptNotes™ allows you to create, open and edit notes on your screenplay in a popover window and visually customize them however you want. You can now also add ScriptNotes to your Navigator. This video tutorial applies to versions Final Draft 12 and above.
Idea to Script (1-2-3 Workflow)
Final Draft 13 makes planning your story as easy as 1-2-3. Learn how to use the Beat Board, Outline Elements and Outline Editor to structure your story in three simple steps.
Structure Lines
Assign colors to outlines, acts, sequences, and scenes to track them visually in your script.
Emoji
Sprinkle emoji across scripts, beats, title pages, and ScriptNotes. Craft more realistic onscreen text and social media exchanges, while making your notes more emotive.
Typewriter
Kick it old-school with a new typewriter-like view option that automatically scrolls to keep the line you’re working on centered, improving focus and ergonomics.
Navigator 2.0 (Script)
Customize your Navigator for a full view and control of your script. Outline directly in the Navigator, edit scene headings, monitor inclusivity stats, and so much more.
Midnight Mode & Custom Appearance
Take Night Mode to the edge with a sleek new alternative dark view theme, and customize your writing environment like never before.
Writing Stats
Get valuable insights on your writing habits and productivity, identify trends, and take your work to the next level. Then share your sprint on social for accountability!
Custom Color PDFs
Create printable files that pop in Night Mode, Midnight Mode and your own themes.
Navigator 2.0 (Characters)
Use the new Navigator 2.0 to explore your characters. Track how much screen time each character gets, see how often different characters interact, even assign characters voices to read your script back to you.
Collaboration
Working with another writer or a team of writers? Collaboration gives you the power to work on your script and Beat Board in real time remotely with your writing partners. This video tutorial applies to versions Final Draft 12 and above.
PDF Import
Do you have a screenplay you want to work on but you only have a PDF? No problem! Learn how to import a PDF into Final Draft 13 and convert it into a fully editable Final Draft file. This video tutorial applies to versions Final Draft 12 and above.
Focus Mode
Customize your writing environment, eliminate distractions and get down to business with the new Focus Mode. This video tutorial applies to versions Final Draft 12 and above.
Track Changes
The Track Changes tool allows you to keep a records of edits to your script and choose whether to accept or reject them, giving you even greater control over the editing process. This video tutorial applies to versions Final Draft 12 and above.
Flow Lines in the Beat Board
Final Draft 13 features Flow Lines that allow you to highlight beats and create connections between them, creating a Story Flow for advanced screenplay outlining. This video tutorial applies to versions Final Draft 12 and above.
Upgrading Windows
Find out how easy it is to transfer from your current version of Final Draft on Windows to Final Draft 13.
Upgrading Macintosh
Find out how easy it is to transfer from your current version of Final Draft on Mac to Final Draft 13.
