Choose and change a block type

Use a block type to say what the text means. For example, Robin opens the door. belongs in a Stage direction, while We should go. belongs in Dialogue beneath Robin’s name.

Choose a type

1. Place the cursor in the block you want to write or change.
2. In the editor toolbar, open Change block type. The control displays the current type and its icon.
3. Choose Stage direction for the action, or the type you need.
4. Write your text.

The same control changes a block that already contains text. Its appearance and behavior follow the new type, including that type’s casing rules. Check the result after changing a speaker name or a note into another kind of text.

Which type should I choose?

Type	Use it for
Character	The speaker’s name above their speech. See Choose who is speaking.
Dialogue	Spoken words, such as We should go.
Aside	A note about the delivery of a speech, such as quietly.
Stage direction	Action on stage, such as Robin opens the door.
Lyrics	Sung words. See Music and lyrics.
Notes	A separate notes block, rather than a speaker’s dialogue.
Scene	A scene heading. See Acts and scenes.

Acts are managed as part of the script’s structure; they are not offered in this type menu. Converting a Scene heading can require confirmation because it changes the scene’s structure.

Change types from the keyboard

With the cursor in a block, Alt + ⏎ Enter cycles forward through the available types; add ⇧ Shift to cycle backward. On macOS, use ⌥ Option in place of Alt. Acts are excluded from this cycle.

The menu also shows the configured number shortcut for each type. See Keyboard shortcuts for the platform-specific modifier and default numbers.

Related tasks

• Continue writing after the current block.
• Format selected words without changing the block.