Import a Word document into Plot

Import a Word document from the projects page to start a new Plot project with editable paragraphs, headings, lists, and emphasis. Everything arrives as prose — a line that looks like dialogue stays a line of prose until you decide it belongs in a scene.

1. 1

   Save your source as .docx

   Use Word's .docx format. For an older .doc file, save a .docx copy first. From Google Docs, download a Microsoft Word .docx copy. Keep the source file for its original page layout and any images.

2. 2

   Choose Import file on the projects page

   Select your file and give the new project a name. Each import starts a new project.

3. 3

   Choose a project format and starting mode

   Choose Treatment for a prose-first story document, or a script format such as Screenplay if you already know where it's headed. Start writing in follows the format you choose: Treatment for a treatment or series bible, Freeform for a script format. Pick a different mode there if you'd rather start another way, and it stays picked when you change the format. You can change the mode later from the editor.

4. 4

   Review the import

   Choose Review import. Read the preview and Changes to review, especially if your document uses tables, images, fields, or page layout — Plot sets the text in its own typography. A long document's preview shows only the beginning; the whole document is imported. Choose Back to pick a different file or format, then review again.

5. 5

   Create the project and mark the starting version

   Choose Create project & open. Read through the imported writing, then use History to name a save point or tag a milestone such as “Imported treatment” before substantial restructuring. That gives you a version to compare or restore later.

   

Keep developing the draft

Add prose, outline, and script sections, or check what Word formatting carries over. If your finished script is available as FDX or Fountain, import that screenplay file to retain its screenplay element types.