Scrivener is a powerhouse of a writing tool, loved by novelists, screenwriters, researchers, and anyone working on long or complex writing projects. More than just a word processor, Scrivener combines outlining, note-taking, research organization, and writing into one seamless experience. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed juggling multiple documents, ideas, and drafts, Scrivener can help you bring order to your creative chaos.
In this article, you’ll learn how to use Scrivener effectively, from setting up your first project to using its powerful tools like the Binder, Corkboard, and Compile features.
What Is Scrivener?
Scrivener, developed by Literature & Latte, is a writing software designed for managing long-form writing projects. Unlike traditional word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, Scrivener allows you to break your work into manageable pieces, rearrange scenes or chapters with ease, and keep research, notes, and drafts in one place.
It’s especially helpful for:
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Novels
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Non-fiction books
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Academic papers
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Scripts and screenplays
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Thesis writing
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Blogs or article series
Getting Started: Setting Up a Project
When you open Scrivener, you’re prompted to create a new project. You’ll see a variety of templates tailored for different types of writing—fiction, non-fiction, scriptwriting, etc.
Steps:
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Open Scrivener and choose File > New Project.
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Select a template (e.g., “Blank,” “Novel,” or “Essay”).
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Choose a name and location for your project.
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Click Create.
Once created, you’ll see the main interface with three core areas:
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Binder (left) – Your project’s table of contents.
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Editor (center) – Where you write.
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Inspector (right) – Notes, metadata, comments, and snapshots.
Understanding the Binder: Your Project Organizer
The Binder is Scrivener’s backbone. It functions like a file system where you can store all parts of your project: chapters, scenes, notes, research files, images, PDFs, and more.
How to Use the Binder:
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Draft folder: This is where your manuscript lives. You can break it into chapters, scenes, or sections.
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Research folder: Store web clippings, notes, PDFs, images, or anything you’ll need to reference.
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Trash: Deleted files go here but aren’t permanently removed until you empty the trash.
You can drag and drop to reorder sections or right-click to create new folders or text documents.
Writing in Scrivener: The Editor
The Editor is where the actual writing happens. Scrivener allows you to work on one scene, a full chapter, or your entire manuscript.
Features in the Editor:
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Split Screen: You can divide the editor to work on two documents at once (e.g., one for writing, one for notes).
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Full-Screen Mode: Focus mode with minimal distractions.
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Text Styles: Apply headers, bold, italics, and lists. While not as advanced as Word, it’s all you need for drafting.
You can write freely without worrying about formatting—Scrivener handles that at the Compile stage.
Outlining with the Corkboard and Outliner
Scrivener gives you two powerful planning tools: the Corkboard and the Outliner.
Corkboard:
Imagine index cards laid out on a board. Each card represents a section or scene. You can rearrange them by dragging, making it easy to adjust story structure or chapter order.
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Add synopses to each card for a quick overview.
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Move cards to restructure your story without touching the manuscript.
Outliner:
Displays your content in a list with columns (title, synopsis, word count, labels, etc.). Great for tracking progress and organization.
Using the Inspector
The Inspector is the right-hand panel where you can:
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Add synopsis summaries
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Use labels and status tags (e.g., “First Draft,” “Revised”)
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Add comments and footnotes
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View document notes
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Use snapshots (backups of earlier drafts)
Think of the Inspector as your command center for metadata and behind-the-scenes organization.
Managing Research and References
One of Scrivener’s most powerful features is the ability to keep all your research in the same project.
Tips:
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Drag web pages, PDFs, or images into the Research folder.
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Use Split Screen to view a reference while writing.
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Add document notes to research items for quick thoughts or summaries.
Unlike traditional word processors, there’s no need to switch between multiple apps or folders.
Keeping Track with Labels and Status
Scrivener lets you apply labels and status markers to every section or document. For example:
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Labels: Color-code scenes by POV, setting, or theme.
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Status: Mark documents as “To Do,” “First Draft,” “Needs Revision,” etc.
These help you keep track of your progress at a glance, especially in large projects.
Taking Snapshots: Version Control
Worried about losing a good draft during revisions? Use Snapshots.
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Select the document you want to preserve.
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Click Documents > Snapshots > Take Snapshot.
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You can later view or roll back to previous versions.
This is incredibly helpful when revising, allowing you to experiment without fear.
Compiling: Exporting Your Work
Once your manuscript is complete, you’ll use Scrivener’s Compile feature to export it into a readable format.
Steps:
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Go to File > Compile.
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Choose your file format: DOCX, PDF, ePub, Kindle, etc.
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Select which parts of your manuscript to include.
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Adjust formatting settings (titles, fonts, page breaks).
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Click Compile to export.
You can create multiple Compile presets depending on your needs—whether you're sending to beta readers, editors, or publishing.
Tips for Using Scrivener Efficiently
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Start simple: Don’t try to learn everything at once. Begin by using the Binder and Editor.
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Use keyboard shortcuts: Scrivener is shortcut-heavy and learning a few will speed up your workflow.
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Customize your layout: Rearrange panes to suit your writing style.
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Back up frequently: Use Scrivener’s automatic backups and also export full backups to external drives or cloud storage.
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Use Templates: Scrivener allows you to create your own project templates, complete with preset folders, labels, and formatting.
Is Scrivener Right for You?
Scrivener has a learning curve, especially if you’re used to basic word processors. But once you master its features, it becomes an incredibly flexible and powerful tool.
It’s ideal for:
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Writers who work on large or complex projects.
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Anyone juggling research, drafts, and notes.
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People who like organizing before or during writing.
It might not be necessary for someone writing short, single documents or those who don’t need detailed structure.
Final Thoughts
Scrivener isn’t just another word processor—it’s a complete writing environment. Whether you're outlining a novel, drafting an academic paper, or compiling research for a nonfiction book, Scrivener helps you stay organized, focused, and efficient.
Take time to explore its features gradually. Once you’re familiar with how to navigate the Binder, use the Corkboard, and Compile your manuscript, you’ll understand why so many professional writers swear by Scrivener.
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