"Word Screenplay Template: Is There a Built-in Option?"

Ever wondered if Microsoft Word offers a built-in screenplay format? As a writer, you might be looking for a template that automatically applies the specific rules of screenplay writing, such as double-space between dialogue and action, specific font styles, and so on. The good news is, yes, there is a way to do this in Word, but it's not as straightforward as selecting a template. Here's how to achieve that.

Word doesn't have a dedicated screenplay template, but it does have a document template called 'Dissertation' which can be modified to suit screenplay needs. Let's dive into how to do this.

Formatting the Dissertation Template for Screenplay

The Dissertation template comes with a generic format that we can modify. Here's how to start.

Setting the Font and Spacing

Screenplays typically use a Courier font, size 12, with double space between lines. Here's how to set that in Word.

1. Go to the 'Home' tab and click on 'Font'. Select 'Courier' from the list.
2. In the 'Font Size' box, type '12'.
3. Under 'Paragraph', click on 'Line Spacing' and select 'Double'.

Creating Scene Headings and Action Lines

Scene headings and action lines require a specific format. Here's how to create them.

1. To create a scene heading like 'INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY', type 'INT.', then press the 'Tab' key to create an indentation.
2. For action lines, press 'Enter' twice to create a double-space after each line.
3. You can also use the 'Alt+Enter' key to wrap text to the next line without creating a new paragraph.

Using the 'Example' Document for Screenplay

While the 'Dissertation' template is a good starting point, you might prefer the 'Example' document which has a format closer to a screenplay's needs.

Setting the Margins

Screenplays use specific margins (1.5-inch top, 1-inch bottom, 1.5-inch left, and 1-inch right). Here's how to set that.

1. Go to the 'Layout' tab and click on 'Margins'.
2. Select 'Custom Margins'.
3. In the 'Top' box, type '1.5'. In the 'Bottom' box, type '1'. In the 'Left' box, type '1.5' and in the 'Right' box, type '1'.
4. Click 'OK'.

Using the 'Example' Document for Formatting

In the 'Example' document, you'll find a format pretty close to a screenplay. You can use it as a base and tweak it as needed.

The document contains placeholder elements like 'Action!' and 'Characters', which you can replace with your text.

In conclusion, while Word doesn't provide a dedicated screenplay template, it does offer tools to format a document to comply with screenplay rules. Experiment with the 'Dissertation' and 'Example' templates and modify them to suit your needs. Happy writing!