On the left side of the ruler you’ll see what looks like a little hourglass (see above image). Click anywhere on the word Character so that the insertion bar is in the word. Leave Slug and Action alone as they are normally left-aligned. Next you’ll set up the indents so they conform to normal script formatting. Now highlight the entire document (Ctrl+A) and format it Courier New 12 pt. (Note that the reason I use the word “action” instead of “description” is because we are going to set up shortcut keys using the first letters of these words, and “description” and “dialog” both starts with the same letter.) Now in your blank document type the following just like you see it here: (If you prefer different margins go ahead and enter them here.) Set your margins to Top: 1”, Bottom: 1”, Left: 1.5”, and Right: 1”. This will bring up the “Page Setup” dialog box and should be on the “Margins” tab. The easiest way to do this is just double-click in the empty gray space to the left of the ruler. We’re also going to need the ruler, so if you don’t see a ruler above your page click on “View” and then put a check in the box marked “Ruler”. You should now see what looks like a blank white page on a gray background.
Or click on “View” on the menu bar, then click the “Print Layout” icon on the left. Just click on the left-most icon on the lower-right corner of the Word screen. Starting with this blank document, the first thing to do is turn on “Print Layout” view. The formatting you create in this document will not appear in other Word documents.
This is the document you will use when you want to write a new script. That said, my instructions are very precise so you shouldn’t have any trouble following them (famous last words). If not, get familiar with it and then re-read this post.
I can’t recall if Word 2003 does, but in any of these versions you should be able to adapt what I’m showing you here.įirst of all I am assuming you know the basics of Word. As I noted in an earlier post, I have used Word with styles to write hundreds of scripts and actually find it easier than the top screenwriting software. If you follow the instructions below you will turn Microsoft Word into a simple but effective screenwriting program.
#Turn on ruler in word 2016 software
If you are familiar with screenwriting software such as Final Draft you know that what they basically do is make it easier to write scripts by automatically formatting script elements, fonts, paragraphs, etc. A style is simply a saved bundle of formatting instructions.
#Turn on ruler in word 2016 how to
(If your mouse uses a mechanical ball for positioning, and there is lint or dirt in the ball housing, that can affect the ability of the mouse to move smoothly.Several of you have asked me for instructions on how to set up Microsoft Word “styles” for script writing. If you still have problems placing the tabs accurately, you might try increasing the zoom setting for viewing the document, and you should make sure that your mouse is clean. If you want to see the precise placement of the tabs, just hold down the Alt key as you drag them. You should now be able to drag tabs along the Ruler smoothly and precisely. Clear the Snap Objects to Grid When the Gridlines Are Not Displayed check box.Clear the Snap Objects to Other Objects check box.Word displays the Drawing Grid dialog box (Word 2007 and Word 2010) or the Grid and Guides dialog box (Word 2013 and later). Select the Grid Settings option from the drop-down list.In the Arrange group, click the Align drop-down list.Display the Page Layout or Layout tab of the ribbon.If you don't need the drawing grid, you can turn it off by following these steps: Thus, when you drag a tab stop, it seems to "jump" in increments of 1/16 inch. (Nobody seems to know why this is the case it just is.) Word, by default, is configured so that "snap to grid" is turned on, and the grid is set for 1/16-inch increments. If this is the case, and you long for a way to more accurately set the tabs using the mouse on the Ruler, there are a couple of things you can check out.įirst, you should understand that the grid settings on the drawing layer can affect the dragging behavior for tabs. In fact, you may notice that the tabs seem to "jump" from one location to another as you are dragging them. Sometimes, however, accurately placing the tabs using the Ruler and the mouse can be a pain. You can then click on the tab and drag it to the location desired. The tab that is inserted depends on the tab type selected at the left side of the Ruler. You probably know that Word allows you to set tabs in a paragraph by clicking on the Ruler at the top of the document window.