Skip to main content

​
Import a script

You can import scripts from the Script editor in several ways. Open it by clicking Writing → Script in the project nav. Upload script form on the Script tab Use “Upload File” for PDF, Fountain, .txt, or FDX, or paste Fountain text into “Paste Text” and click Import Script.

​
PDF

Upload a PDF script. Spell Slate extracts text and parses it into scenes, characters, and locations. Processing may take a minute for longer scripts. Image-based (scanned) PDFs are not supported at the moment. Watermarked PDFs are also not supported right now. If possible, upload a clean export without watermark overlays. PDF layout and writer formatting vary. If a scene looks empty, or day versus night is wrong or missing, you can fix the slugline and script text in the editor after import. Spell Slate is built so you can adjust breakdown data in the app instead of needing a perfect source file. Lines like Opening Credits, Closing Credits, or Scrolling Credits, and some Final Draft markers (for example End with scene numbers), without INT. or EXT., are imported as their own scenes. Location and time of day may show as unknown until you set them in the editor.

​
Fountain, .txt, and FDX

Paste Fountain-format text or upload a .fountain, .txt, or .fdx file. Fountain is a plain-text screenplay format that Spell Slate supports natively. FDX is Final Draft format. Once your script is broken down, you can edit in the script editor and use the breakdown to tag characters, locations, and items.

​
Uploading a new version

When you receive a revised script, you can upload it as a new version without losing your current work.
  1. Open Writing → Script in the project nav.
  2. Click Upload New Version in the script toolbar.
  3. Choose the revised file (PDF, Fountain, FDX, or plain text) and click Upload New Version.
Spell Slate parses the new script and makes it the live version. The previous version is preserved and stays accessible in the revision picker in the toolbar so you can compare or reference it at any time. What carries over automatically:
  • Characters and locations that still appear in the new version stay in your breakdown.
  • Characters and locations that no longer appear, and have no production data attached (no cast assignment, call sheet entries, or notes), are removed automatically.
What needs to be rebuilt:
  • Breakdown tags, schedule entries, and shot lists are tied to scenes in the previous version. They stay on that version and do not transfer automatically. Once the new version is live, go through the breakdown to re-tag scenes and regenerate your schedule.

​
How to create or import a screenplay

Spell Slate supports several import formats from the Script editor (Writing → Script):
  • PDF: Upload a PDF script. Spell Slate extracts and parses text into scenes, characters, and locations. Scanned PDFs are not supported.
  • Fountain and .txt: Paste Fountain-format text or upload a .fountain or .txt file. Fountain is a standard plain-text screenplay format.
  • FDX: Upload a Final Draft (.fdx) file. Spell Slate converts it to Fountain and parses it.