In the evolving landscape of writing software, Scrivener remains a trusted ally, but questions linger. As users seek to harness its power, a common challenge arises: How to change fonts across the entire document? The answer to this pivotal question lies within this step-by-step guide, designed with your needs in mind. Join us on a journey to unlock Scrivener's font-changing magic and elevate your writing experience.
Part 1. What is Scrivener App?
Overview:
Scrivener is a renowned and powerful software application designed for writers and authors. It provides a comprehensive platform for organizing, writing, and structuring long and complex documents, such as novels, research papers, screenplays, and more.
Unlike traditional word processors like Microsoft Office, Scrivener is a versatile powerhouse, uniquely tailored for writers who tackle substantial and intricate projects. Its strengths lie in its structural brilliance, flexible outlining, integrated research capabilities, distraction-free writing environment, and precision in compiling and exporting content. Scrivener thrives in the hands of novelists sculpting intricate plots, academics crafting comprehensive research papers, screenwriters breathing life into scripts, non-fiction authors weaving compelling narratives, and content creators managing large volumes of text. In essence, Scrivener is the indispensable companion for writers who seek organization, productivity, and creativity in their writing journey.
Features of the Scrivener App:
Document Organization: Break your writing project into smaller, manageable sections for easy organization and navigation.
Research Integration: Store research materials, web links, and notes within your project for quick reference.
Flexible Outlining: Create and modify outlines effortlessly to plan and structure your work.
Corkboard and Index Cards: Visualize your project with virtual corkboards and digital index cards, aiding in scene and chapter planning.
Compile and Export: Precisely control formatting and compile your work into various formats like e-books, PDFs, or Word documents.
Templates: Access project templates tailored to various writing needs, from fiction to academic writing.
Custom Metadata: Add custom metadata to your documents for better organization and searching.
Scriptwriting Tools: Screenwriters benefit from industry-standard formatting and scriptwriting features.
Backup and Sync: Safeguard your work with automatic backup options and sync projects across devices.
Export to Popular Formats: Export your work to common formats like DOCX, PDF, RTF, and more for sharing and collaboration.
Part 2. How to Change Font for Entire Document on Scrivener?
1. Adjust Fonts for Entire Document
While Scrivener is very different from standard word processors, one element that is similar is the way fonts display in the Editor. You can choose a font, size, alignment, and spacing, and you can set margins and tabs. You can make text bold, italic, or underlined, you can change its color, and you can highlight text.
Note: the default font in Scrivener for Mac is Palatino, and for Windows it is Calibri. You can choose to use this font if you wish, or change it.
Step 1: Select text in a file, then choose options in the Format Bar, where you can see options for the font (Palatino, in the screenshot below).
Here's a closeup of the Format Bar, highlighting the different elements:
1 - Font menu
2 - Weight menu
3 - Font size menu
4 - Bold, italic, underline buttons
5 - Alignment buttons
6 - Line spacing menu
2. Set Font Preferences
You may be used to setting your font, size, and other preferences in your documents, and, as you saw above, you can do that in Scrivener. But you can also set preferences for the Editor globally, in Scrivener's Preferences (Mac) or Options (Windows).
On Mac, choose Scrivener > Preferences; on Windows, choose File > Options. Click the Editing tab, then click Formatting.
One way to set your defaults is to click Use Formatting in Current Editor. Scrivener will adopt all the settings you've made, as described above, to new documents. Note that if you do this, it will not affect documents you've already created that are using different settings. (You can also apply these settings by clicking anywhere in a paragraph that contains the settings you want to save, then choosing Format > Make Formatting Default.)
If you want to adjust your font settings in the Preferences / Options, you can do so. Just use the menus and buttons - which are the same here as in the Editor - and you'll see the sample text change. (Note that, on Mac, the font menu displays when you click the Aa button. On Windows, you'll see the name of the font in that position.) You don't need to save these settings; Scrivener automatically updates the defaults to what you set in this dialog.
You can see that these settings also allow you to set fonts for Notes, Inspector comments, and footnotes.
If you ever want to reset the font settings to the default, click Defaults on the Editing settings dialog.
3. Stick to the Font You Prefer
Step 1: Click Project / Project Settings in the menu tab
Step 2: Select the Formatting tab.
Step 3: Check the box ‘Use different font …’, click on ‘Use Current’ and then OK.
Next time you add a new document for this project, it’ll be using the one you want.
Part 3. How to Download Scrivener App?
Scrivener is a fantastic writing tool, and downloading it on Windows is easy. In this step-by-step tutorial, we'll guide you through the process while highlighting its pricing, the availability of a free trial, and the absence of an official Android version.
Step 1: Go to SCRIVENER
Step 2: Click DOWNLOAD
Your download will begin immediately. When it's finished, you can open the "Scrivener-installer.exe" file from your browser's download list as shown in the screenshot above, or from your Downloads folder in File Explorer.
Once installation is complete, you can find a shortcut to Scrivener on your desktop (if you selected that option at the end of the setup wizard), or you can open Scrivener from its installation folder in Program Files.
Upon opening the program, you will be prompted with a message stating that you are in trial mode (or that your trial has expired, if you've already run through your 30 day limit).
If you would like to activate your license right away, click the "Enter License..." button on this message. Then, enter your email address and the license code that was sent to you by email upon purchase.
If you do not yet have a license, you can try out Scrivener by clicking the "Continue Trial" button. The trial version is exactly the same as the full version, except it expires after 30 days of use.
If you would like to purchase a license, click the "Buy Now" button on the trial message to open the purchase wizard. Scrivener will use your new license to unlock the program automatically when you complete your purchase.
Price of Scrivener App:
Scrivener offers a unique pricing model that allows users to explore its full features during a 30-day free trial, which is essentially the same as the full version. Whether you use it daily or sporadically, the free trial lasts for 30 days from the first time you open the app. This means that if you use it every day, it will last for 30 consecutive days. However, if you use it only a couple of days a week, it will last for a total of fifteen weeks.
Once you decide to purchase a license, you can do so directly from the Scrivener website, and the pricing details are available there. The free trial seamlessly transitions into the full version upon purchase, allowing you to continue your writing journey with Scrivener's powerful features.
Part 4. Best Alternative to Scrivener App - WPS Office
WPS Office is your go-to modernized and powerful office suite, offering a versatile set of tools that can serve as a superb alternative to Scrivener. Unlike Scrivener's specialized focus, WPS Office is an all-in-one solution for creating, editing, and managing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. With a simple interface and convenient functions, it caters to users of all proficiency levels. Here are some of the standout advantages of WPS Office:
Pros of WPS Office:
Free Download and Usage: WPS Office provides free access to essential office tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives, making it a cost-effective choice compared to Scrivener.
Powerful PDF Toolkit: It empowers you to effortlessly create, edit, and convert PDF documents, making it a versatile tool for document management.
Rich Template Store: WPS Office offers a vast selection of templates for various document types, ensuring your projects have a professional look and feel.
Rich Functions: With advanced features such as formula editing in spreadsheets and design tools in presentations, WPS Office caters to users with diverse needs beyond simple text editing.
Lightweight: This application is designed to run smoothly without consuming extensive system resources, ensuring optimal performance even on less powerful devices.
Support for Online Documents: Collaborate seamlessly in real-time by storing documents in the cloud and sharing them with others, enhancing productivity and teamwork.
Safe and Stable: WPS Office is renowned for its reliability, security, and stability, offering a trustworthy platform for a wide range of office tasks.
How to free download the WPS Office?
Step 1: Go to WPS and click “Free Download”.
Step 2: Click “Keep” if the following dialogue box pops up. Please be assured that it's safe to download our products.
Step 3: The installation will begin after you agree to the agreement and click “Install Now”. WPS Office will open automatically when it's done.
After installation, you can launch WPS Office by clicking on its shortcut or by searching for it in your applications or programs menu.
FAQs
1. Are there any recommended fonts for specific types of writing?
Yes, there are recommended fonts for specific types of writing, although font choice is often a matter of personal preference. Remember that while these fonts are recommended for specific purposes, it's crucial to consider factors like readability, audience, and overall design aesthetics when choosing a font for your writing. Always ensure that the chosen font aligns with the tone and purpose of your content. For example, serif fonts like Times New Roman are often used for formal documents, while sans-serif fonts like Arial are considered more modern and clean.
2. How do you select all text in Scrivener?
You could select a paragraph, all the text in a document in your Binder, or everything in your project, by first clicking the top Draft or Manuscript folder in your Binder, then selecting all the text: Edit > Select All, or Command-A (Mac), Ctrl+A (Windows).
3. Can I import documents with different fonts into Scrivener and maintain their formatting?
Yes, Scrivener allows you to import documents with different fonts while retaining their original formatting. However, you can still apply uniform formatting within Scrivener using the methods mentioned in the guide.
4. What fonts are recommended for writing in Scrivener?
Scrivener doesn't have specific font recommendations, so you can choose fonts based on your personal preference and the type of writing you're doing. Popular choices include Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, and Courier New.
5. How do I change the font back to the default settings in Scrivener?
To revert to default font settings in Scrivener, you can go to the "Format" menu, select "Formatting," and choose "Remove Formatting." This will remove any custom font settings and return the text to the default formatting.
Summary
WPS Office emerges as a robust and modern alternative to Scrivener, offering a comprehensive suite of office tools suitable for a wide range of writing and document management needs. With its user-friendly interface and rich feature set, WPS Office stands out as a versatile solution. Notable advantages include a free download that encompasses Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives, a powerful PDF toolkit, an extensive template store, a wealth of functions, lightweight performance, support for online documents, and a reputation for safety and stability. It caters to both beginners and experienced users, making it an excellent choice for efficient and accessible document creation and management.
