# Import a Final Draft screenplay

> Bring a Final Draft (.fdx) script into Inkwell Plot — scene headings, character cues, and dialogue carry over through the editor Import / Export menu.

About 3 minutes in Plot

## Formatting preserved on import

Final Draft XML becomes Fountain-native structure — scenes, characters, and dialogue carry over before you write another line.

## Follow along in Plot

Each step matches visible UI in the editor.

1. [Sign in to Inkwell Plot](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx#step-1)

   Create a free account or sign in, then open Plot from your dashboard. Start a new screenplay or open an existing project you want to replace or update.

   _Open Plot — new script or existing project_

2. [Open Import / Export in the toolbar](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx#step-2)

   In the screenplay editor, open the Import / Export menu from the toolbar (download icon on desktop). This is the same menu used for Fountain and PDF export.

   _Same menu for import and export round-trip_

3. [Choose Fountain or Final Draft (.fdx)](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx#step-3)

   Under Import, select Fountain or Final Draft (.fdx). Inkwell opens your system file picker for .fdx or .fountain files.

   _Accepted formats listed before you browse_

4. [Select your .fdx file](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx#step-4)

   Pick the Final Draft export from disk. Inkwell parses scene headings, character cues, dialogue, and transitions into the structured screenplay editor.

   _Screenplay grammar preserved in the draft_

5. [Confirm if you have unsaved changes](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx#step-5)

   If you already edited the open draft, Inkwell asks before replacing it. Confirm to load the imported script.

   _No silent overwrite of in-progress work_

6. [Review import warnings](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx#step-6)

   After import, check any warning notification and review the resulting screenplay. If details did not carry across, keep the original Final Draft file for reference.

   _Edge cases named — not hidden in a log_

7. [Keep writing — export back to FDX anytime](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx#step-7)

   After import, continue in Plot with save points and draft lines. When you need Final Draft again, use Import / Export → Export FDX from the same menu.

   _Return to Final Draft from the same toolbar menu_

## Related reading

- [FDX Inspector](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/fdx-inspector): inventory this file before import
- [Inkwell vs Final Draft](https://www.inkwell.software/compare/final-draft): FDX round-trip comparison
- [FDX glossary](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/fdx): what Final Draft XML means
- [Migrate from Final Draft](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/migrate/from-final-draft): switching checklist

---

Canonical page: <https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/import-fdx>