Final Draft does not automatically assign scene numbers as scenes are created or deleted. Instead, the Scene Numbers command must be used to number or renumber scenes. The Scene Numbers command allows the user to number or renumber scenes or other elements.
In standard screenplay format, scene numbers would normally be assigned to scene headings only. If the script requires that a heading not be assigned a scene number, the shot element should be used instead of the scene heading element.
Final Draft also contains options for nonstandard numbering by permitting any element to be numbered. Nonstandard numbering is used in animation, interactive, multimedia and other scripts.
To number scenes using the default settings
- Choose Production > Scene Numbers;
- Click Number/Renumber;
Choose the desired numbering scheme (numbers then letters / letters then numbers);
- Click OK.
By default, Scene Heading is selected as the paragraph type to be numbered. Every scene heading is assigned a scene number, starting with the number entered in the Starting Number field (the default is 1), and incrementing by one.
Numbers Tab
Element
Select the element to number. Only one element may be numbered at a time.
Number/Renumber
Check this box and click OK to initiate numbering.
Remove Numbers
Check this box and click OK to remove all scene numbers from the script.
Starting Number
Select the number to begin numbering with.
Number from Current Scene
Check this box to begin numbering with the scene at the current cursor position. If this box is not checked, the script will be numbered from the beginning.
Keep Existing Numbers
Specify whether to lock existing scene numbers. If this box is checked, new scenes which have been inserted between previously numbered scene headings are assigned “A” and “B” scene numbers.
Restart Numbering Every
Numbers an element (other than the one already numbered) but the numbering restarts at 1 after each occurrence of another specified element.
For example, if an animation script’s scenes have been numbered and there is a need to number dialogue within a scene as well, go to Production > Scene Numbers and choose Dialogue from the Element dropdown menu. Check the box for Restart Numbering Every and from this dropdown menu choose Scene Heading. Click OK and all dialogue paragraphs will be numbered; the dialogue numbering will restart from 1 after each scene heading.
If (for example) dialogue paragraphs are set to be numbered but the Restart Numbering Every box is not checked, the dialogue numbering will be consecutive throughout the script.
Options Tab
Click the Options tab and this window appears:
Draw Number on Left and Draw Number on Right checkboxes
Specify whether to display numbers to the left and/or right of paragraphs.
Left and Right Location Settings
Click the up or down arrows next to the Location box to adjust the location of the scene numbers. Placement of scene numbers is measured in inches from the left edge of the page.
Font
Choose the font and font size of the numbers.
To set Font attributes
- Click Set Font;
- A font dialogue appears;
- Make any changes desired and click OK.
Renumbering scenes in an already numbered script
When a script is in production it is common for new scenes to be written and inserted between two existing and numbered scenes. This new scene must also be numbered but it cannot use a number that has already been assigned.
To create a new scene and number it
- Position the cursor at the end of the text of the scene after which the new scene will be added;
- Press Control + 1 to create a new scene heading;
- Type the letter I (as in Interior) or E (as in Exterior);
- Press Tab twice;
The Location SmartType list appears, allowing the location to be selected.
- Press the Tab key to accept the choice;
- The Time SmartType list appears, allowing the time of day to be selected. Press the Tab key to accept the choice;
- The cursor moves to blank Action paragraph;
- Type the scene (in this example, "Uncle gazes out of the window.").
Following is the process for numbering this sample scene for production purposes:
To number a new scene in a script in which scenes are already numbered
- Choose Production > Scene Numbers;
- Check Add Numbers;
- Be sure that Keep existing numbers is checked. If it is not checked, all currently-numbered scenes will be renumbered;
- Click OK.
Note that the new scene is now correctly numbered 28A. All other scenes have retained their original numbers.
A scene may be renumbered to fit another numbering format requested by someone in production. Individual scene numbers may be adjusted manually as well.
Edit Scene Number
To manually renumber an individual scene
- Place the cursor in the scene heading to be edited;
- Choose Production > Edit Scene Number;
- In the Change Scene Number to window, enter the desired number;
- Click OK.
Removing an Unwanted Scene Number
In the event that a scene (or another element) has been assigned a number erroneously, it can be removed by going to Production > Edit Scene Number, deleting all text from the box and clicking OK.