Adding Paragraphs with the Return/Enter Key
When the insertion point is at the end of a paragraph, pressing the Return/Enter key inserts a new paragraph. The kind of paragraph created depends on the kind of paragraph it follows. The default transitions are:
- General to General
- Scene Heading to Action
- Action to Action
- Character to Dialogue
- Dialogue to Action
- Parenthetical to Dialogue
- Transition to Scene Heading
- Shot to Action
- Cast List to Action
- New Act to Scene Heading
- End of Act to New Act
- Summary to Summary
These transitions are based on the most logical flow for a writer, i.e. the most frequent element after a character name is dialogue.
To modify these transitions
Choose Format > Elements and the Elements dialogue is displayed. Select the desired element from the list on the left.
Set the shortcut via the Next Element (Enter/Return) dropdown menu:
In this example, the change is from the current setting of Dialogue-to-Action to Dialogue-to-Character, so that when the insertion point is at the end of a Dialogue paragraph, pressing the Return key inserts a new Character paragraph:
Adding Paragraphs with the Tab Key
The Tab key supplements the functions of the Return/Enter key.
- Scene Heading to Action
- Action to Character
- Character to Transition (only when character is blank)
- Transition to Scene Heading
- Dialogue to Parenthetical
- Parenthetical to Dialogue
- Outline 1 to Outline 2
- Outline 2 to Outline 3
- Outline 3 to Note
- Note to Note
On the Beat Board:
- Beat title field to Beat body field
- Beat body field to Beat title field
Press Tab to accept the current selection from a SmartType list and move to the next logical element.
Within a Scene Heading, the Tab key has additional functions:
From a Scene Intro (INT, EXT), pressing Tab adds a period plus a space ( . ) and moves the insertion point to the Location section. Press Tab again to call up the Location SmartType list;
From a Location, pressing Tab adds a space-dash-space ( - ) and moves the insertion point to the time area. Press Tab again to call up the Time SmartType list (DAY, NIGHT, etc.).
In the Index Cards > Summary view, the Tab key moves the cursor from the editable Scene Heading field to the editable Scene Summary field to the editable Scene Heading of the next scene card.
In the Index Cards > Script view, the Tab key moves the cursor from the editable Scene Heading field to the editable Scene Heading of the next scene card.
In the Scene View, the Tab key moves the cursor from the editable Scene Heading field to the editable Scene Title field to the editable Scene Heading of the next scene row.
INT. / EXT. Creates Scene Headings
If int. or ext. is typed at the beginning of an action paragraph, it will automatically become a scene heading starting with INT. or EXT., respectively.
Element Shortcuts for Mac Users
An alternative method of adding new paragraphs is using the COMMAND key combinations. The defaults are:
| GENERAL | COMMAND + 0 |
| SCENE HEADING | COMMAND + 1 |
| ACTION | COMMAND + 2 |
| CHARACTER | COMMAND + 3 |
| PARENTHETICAL | COMMAND + 4 |
| DIALOGUE | COMMAND + 5 |
| TRANSITION | COMMAND + 6 |
| SHOT | COMMAND + 7 |
| CAST LIST | COMMAND + 8 |
| NEW ACT | COMMAND + 9 |
| SEQUENCE | COMMAND + CONTROL + 8 |
| END OF ACT | COMMAND + CONTROL + 9 |
| SUMMARY | COMMAND + CONTROL + 0 |
| OUTLINE 1 | COMMAND + CONTROL + 1 |
| OUTLINE 2 | COMMAND + CONTROL + 2 |
| OUTLINE 3 | COMMAND + CONTROL + 3 |
| NOTE | COMMAND + CONTROL + 4 |
Similar to changing Return key shortcuts, the Command key combination may be changed in the Elements Menu via the Shortcut key text area.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac Users
FINAL DRAFT 13
|
HIDE FINAL DRAFT 13 |
COMMAND + H |
|---|---|
| HIDE OTHERS | COMMAND + OPTION + H |
| QUIT FINAL DRAFT 13 | COMMAND + Q |
FILE
| NEW DOCUMENT | COMMAND + N |
| NEW FROM TEMPLATE | COMMAND + SHIFT + N |
| OPEN | COMMAND + O |
| CLOSE | COMMAND + W |
| SAVE | COMMAND + S |
| SAVE AS | COMMAND + SHIFT + S |
| SAVE AS PDF | COMMAND + SHIFT + P |
| COMMAND + P |
EDIT
| UNDO | COMMAND + Z |
| REDO | COMMAND + SHIFT + Z |
| CUT | COMMAND + X |
| COPY | COMMAND + C |
| PASTE | COMMAND + V |
| SELECT ALL | COMMAND + A |
| SELECT CURRENT SCENE | COMMAND + SHIFT + A |
| NEXT CHANGE | COMMAND + OPTION + K |
| PREVIOUS CHANGE | COMMAND + OPTION + SHIFT + K |
| ACCEPT CHANGE | COMMAND + OPTION + A |
| REJECT CHANGE | COMMAND + OPTION + R |
| ACCEPT ALL CHANGES | COMMAND + OPTION + SHIFT + A |
| REJECT ALL CHANGES | COMMAND + OPTION + SHIFT + R |
| FIND | COMMAND + F |
| GO TO | COMMAND + G |
| FIND SELECTION | COMMAND + SHIFT + F |
| START DICTATION | FN + D |
| EMOJI AND SYMBOLS | FN + E |
VIEW
| HIDE / SHOW OUTLINE EDITOR | COMMAND + SHIFT + M |
| HIDE / SHOW OUTLINE IN SCRIPT | COMMAND + SHIFT + O |
| SHOW INVISIBLES | COMMAND + J |
| ZOOM IN | COMMAND + + (PLUS SIGN) |
| ZOOM OUT | COMMAND + - (MINUS SIGN) |
| SHOW ALL TABS | COMMAND + SHIFT + \ |
| ENTER FULL SCREEN | COMMAND + OPTION + F |
FORMAT
| OPEN ELEMENTS SETTINGS WINDOW | COMMAND + E |
| REMOVE STYLE FROM SELECTED TEXT | COMMAND + T |
| BOLD SELECTED TEXT | COMMAND + B |
| ITALICIZE SELECTED TEXT | COMMAND + I |
| UNDERSCORE SELECTED TEXT | COMMAND + U |
| STRIKE THROUGH SELECTED TEXT | COMMAND + SHIFT + X |
| ALL CAPS | COMMAND + K |
| DUAL DIALOGUE | COMMAND + D |
| EDIT DUAL DIALOGUE | COMMAND + SHIFT + D |
INSERT
| ADD ALT DIALOGUE | COMMAND + SHIFT + . (PERIOD) |
| REMOVE ALT DIALOGUE | COMMAND + SHIFT + , (COMMA) |
|
NEW BEAT (BEAT BOARD ONLY) |
COMMAND + RETURN |
|
NEW SCENE (INDEX CARDS / SCENE VIEW ONLY) |
COMMAND + SHIFT + I (AS IN INDIA) |
| INSERT BOOKMARK | COMMAND + \ |
| INSERT SCRIPTNOTE | COMMAND + SHIFT + K |
| INSERT LABEL | COMMAND + SHIFT + L |
| SEND TO SCRIPT (INDEX CARDS ONLY) | COMMAND + SHIFT + C |
DOCUMENT
| OPEN SMARTTYPE WINDOW | COMMAND + L |
TOOLS
| SPELLING | COMMAND + , (COMMA) |
| THESAURUS | COMMAND + : (SEMI-COLON) |
| OPEN REFORMAT TOOL | COMMAND + R |
PRODUCTION
| EDIT SCENE NUMBER | COMMAND + SHIFT + J |
| MARK SELECTED TEXT REVISED | COMMAND + ] |
| MARK SELECTED TEXT UNREVISED | COMMAND + [ |
| TAGS MODE ON / OFF | COMMAND + SHIFT + T |
WINDOW
| MINIMIZE | COMMAND + M |
| SHOW PREVIOUS TAB | CONTROL + SHIFT + TAB |
| SHOW NEXT TAB | CONTROL + TAB |
ELEMENT TAB / RETURN KEY SHORTCUTS
| TO GO FROM | TO | PRESS |
| Scene Heading Part 1 | Scene Heading Part 2 | TAB |
| Scene Heading Part 2 | Scene Heading Part 3 | TAB |
| Scene Heading Part 3 | Action | RETURN |
| Scene Heading Part 2 | Action | RETURN |
| Action | Action | RETURN |
| Action | Character | RETURN + TAB |
| Action | Shot | CONTROL + 7 |
| Action | Transition | CONTROL + 6 |
| Action | Scene Heading | Type int. or ext. |
| Character | Dialogue | RETURN |
| Character | Parenthetical | TAB |
| Parenthetical | Dialogue | RETURN |
| Dialogue | Action | RETURN |
| Dialogue | Character | RETURN + TAB |
| Dialogue | Scene Heading | COMMAND + 1 |
| Dialogue | Transition | COMMAND + 6 |
| Dialogue | Shot | COMMAND + 7 |
SPECIAL KEYS
| PAGE UP / DOWN | Pages up or down one screen-full of text |
| HOME | Moves cursor to beginning of the line |
| END | Moves cursor to end of the line |
| COMMAND + HOME | Moves cursor to beginning of the document |
| COMMAND + END | Moves cursor to end of the document |
| COMMAND + RIGHT ARROW | Moves cursor to beginning of next word |
| COMMAND + LEFT ARROW | Moves cursor to beginning of previous word |
| UP ARROW | Moves cursor up a line |
| DOWN ARROW | Moves cursor down a line |
| OPTION + UP ARROW | Moves cursor up a paragraph |
| OPTION + DOWN ARROW | Moves cursor down a paragraph |
| SHIFT + RIGHT OR LEFT ARROW | Extends highlighted selection letter at a time |
| COMMAND + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW | Extends highlighted selection a word at a time |
| COMMAND + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW | Extends highlighted selection a word at a time |
Elements Shortcuts for Windows Users
An alternative method of adding new paragraphs is using the Control key combinations. The defaults are:
| GENERAL | CONTROL + 0 |
| SCENE HEADING | CONTROL + 1 |
| ACTION | CONTROL + 2 |
| CHARACTER | CONTROL + 3 |
| PARENTHETICAL | CONTROL + 4 |
| DIALOGUE | CONTROL + 5 |
| TRANSITION | CONTROL + 6 |
| SHOT | CONTROL + 7 |
| CAST LIST | CONTROL + 8 |
| NEW ACT | CONTROL + 9 |
| SEQUENCE | CONTROL + SHIFT + 8 |
| END OF ACT | CONTROL + SHIFT + 9 |
| SUMMARY |
CONTROL + SHIFT + 0 |
| OUTLINE 1 (ACTS) | CONTROL + SHIFT + 1 |
| OUTLINE 2 (SEQUENCES) | CONTROL + SHIFT + 2 |
| OUTLINE 3 (SCENES) | CONTROL+ SHIFT + 3 |
| NOTE | CONTROL + SHIFT + 4 |
Similar to changing Enter key shortcuts, the Control key combination may be changed in the Elements Menu via the Shortcut key text area.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Users
HOME
| SPELLING | CONTROL + D |
| THESAURUS | CONTROL + SHIFT + D |
| PASTE | CONTROL + V |
| CUT | CONTROL + X |
| COPY | CONTROL + C |
| BOLD SELECTED TEXT | CONTROL + B |
| ITALICIZE SELECTED TEXT | CONTROL + I |
| UNDERSCORE SELECTED TEXT | CONTROL + U |
| NEW SCRIPTNOTE | CONTROL + J |
| ELEMENTS SETTINGS | CONTROL + E |
| DUAL DIALOGUE | CONTROL + ALT + D |
FILE
| NEW | CONTROL + N |
| NEW FROM TEMPLATE | CONTROL + SHIFT + N |
| OPEN | CONTROL + O |
| CLOSE | CONTROL + F4 |
| SAVE | CONTROL + S |
| SAVE AS PDF | CONTROL + SHIFT + P |
| CONTROL + P |
EDIT
| SELECT ALL | CONTROL + A |
| SELECT CURRENT SCENE | CONTROL + SHIFT + A |
| PASTE | CONTROL + V |
| COPY | CONTROL + C |
| CUT | CONTROL + X |
| UNDO | CONTROL + Z |
| REDO | CONTROL + SHIFT + Z |
| FIND | CONTROL + F |
| GO TO | CONTROL + G |
| FIND SELECTION | CONTROL + E |
| ACCEPT SELECTED CHANGE | CONTROL + ALT + A |
| REJECT SELECTED CHANGE | CONTROL + ALT + R |
| GO TO PREVIOUS CHANGE | CONTROL + SHIFT + ALT + K |
| GO TO NEXT CHANGE | CONTROL + ALT + K |
VIEW
| SHOW / HIDE OUTLINE IN SCRIPT | CONTROL + SHIFT + O |
|
SHOW / HIDE RULER |
CONTROL + SHIFT + H |
FORMAT
| DUAL DIALOGUE | CONTROL + ALT + D |
| ELEMENTS SETTINGS | CONTROL + SHIFT + E |
|
GRID SNAPPING |
CONTROL + SHIFT + \ |
INSERT
| INSERT SCRIPTNOTE | CONTROL + J |
| INSERT BOOKMARK | CONTROL + M |
| INSERT ALT DIALOGUE | CONTROL + ALT + L |
| REMOVE ALT DIALOGUE | CONTROL + SHIFT + ALT + L |
|
INSERT BEAT (BEAT BOARD ONLY) |
CONTROL + ENTER |
| NEW SCENE (CARDS / SCENE VIEW ONLY) | CONTROL + SHIFT + I |
| SEND TO SCRIPT (CARDS / SCENE VIEW ONLY) | CONTROL + SHIFT + C |
DOCUMENT
|
SMARTTYPE |
CONTROL + SHIFT + L |
TOOLS
| SPELLING | CONTROL + D |
| THESAURUS | CONTROL + SHIFT + D |
PRODUCTION
| MARK SELECTED TEXT REVISED | CONTROL + R |
| MARK SELECTED TEXT UNREVISED | CONTROL + SHIFT + R |
| TAGS MODE ON / OFF | CONTROL + SHIFT + T |
HELP
| Final Draft USER GUIDE | F1 |
BEAT BOARD
| ZOOM IN (BEAT BOARD ONLY) | CONTROL + + (PLUS) |
| ZOOM OUT (BEAT BOARD ONLY) | CONTROL + - (MINUS) |
ELEMENT TAB / ENTER KEY SHORTCUTS
| TO GO FROM | TO | PRESS |
| Scene Heading Part 1 | Scene Heading Part 2 | TAB |
| Scene Heading Part 2 | Scene Heading Part 3 | TAB |
| Scene Heading Part 3 | Action | ENTER |
| Scene Heading Part 2 | Action | ENTER |
| Action | Action | ENTER |
| Action | Character | ENTER + TAB |
| Action | Shot | CONTROL + 7 |
| Action | Transition | CONTROL + 6 |
| Action | Scene Heading | Type int. or ext. |
| Character | Dialogue | ENTER |
| Character | Parenthetical | TAB |
| Parenthetical | Dialogue | ENTER |
| Dialogue | Action | ENTER |
| Dialogue | Character | ENTER + TAB |
| Dialogue | Scene Heading | CONTROL + 1 |
| Dialogue | Transition | CONTROL + 6 |
| Dialogue | Shot | CONTROL + 7 |
SPECIAL KEYS
| PAGE UP / DOWN | Pages up or down one screen-full of text |
| HOME | Moves cursor to beginning of the line |
| END | Moves cursor to end of the line |
| CONTROL + HOME | Moves cursor to beginning of the document |
| CONTROL + END | Moves cursor to end of the document |
| CONTROL + RIGHT ARROW | Moves cursor to beginning of next word |
| CONTROL + LEFT ARROW | Moves cursor to beginning of previous word |
| UP ARROW | Moves cursor up a line |
| DOWN ARROW | Moves cursor down a line |
| ALT + UP ARROW | Moves cursor up a paragraph |
| ALT + DOWN ARROW | Moves cursor down a paragraph |
| SHIFT + RIGHT OR LEFT ARROW | Extends highlighted selection letter at a time |
| CONTROL + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW | Extends highlighted selection a word at a time |
| CONTROL + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW | Extends highlighted selection a word at a time |