How to Use Microsoft Word for Screenwriting

Purchasing screenwriting software may be out of your budget boundaries. Take advantage of what you may already have by using Microsoft Word to write scripts. Although Word has no screenwriting templates included in its software package, a bit of manipulation is all it takes to transfer your big-screen brainstorming on-screen. Use Word to start putting words in your characters' mouths.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Word. Click the "File" tab. Click "Save As." Type a name for the script, select a location to save it to on the computer. Click "Save" to begin the document.

2. Type the title of the script. Highlight the title, and click the "Center" button, the short centered stack of lines in the middle of the "Paragraph" section of the ribbon at the top of the screen. While the text is still highlighted, click the "B" icon in the "Font" section to boldface the title.

3. Press the "Enter" key. Add your name or any other details in the next line.

4. Press the "Enter" key a few more times to leave space between the title and the start of the script. Click the "Alight Left Text" button in the "Paragraph" section and type the start of the script, such as "Int. Descrip" or "Ext. Descrip."

5. Press the "Enter" key to drop to a new line and click the "Center" button again. Type the first speaking character's name. Press the "Enter" key and type the character's dialog.

6. Press "Enter" twice to leave a space between the lines of text and the next character's name. Type the next speaker's name, press "Enter" and type that character's dialog.

7. Continue using the centered format for character dialog and the left justified format for descriptive text.

8. Click the "Review" tab at the top of the page. Let Microsoft Word polish your script before you send it off for a screenwriting guild review by clicking the "Spelling & Grammar" button on the left side of the ribbon. Review Word's suggestions on spelling and grammar on a case-by-case basis.

9. Click the "File" tab. Click "Save" to resave over the original document.

Resources

• Microsoft Office: Getting Started with Word