Keyboard shortcuts
Find the keys for writing, changing block types and formatting text.
Use these shortcuts while the cursor is in the script editor. Some keys have different effects depending on the current block type and cursor position. Follow the linked guide when you need the full procedure.
Continue and edit
Section titled “Continue and edit”| Keys | What they do |
|---|---|
| Enter | Continue, split text or act on an empty block. Details. |
| Shift + Enter | Continue a nonempty Dialogue or Lyrics block with the same type. Details. |
| Tab | Switch Dialogue or Lyrics to Aside, or switch Aside back. Details. |
| Tab | In Stage direction, add indentation, up to two levels. Details. |
| Shift + Tab | In Stage direction, remove one indentation level. Details. |
For the compact chooser opened by Enter in an empty Scene, Stage direction or Character block, use Arrow left and Arrow right to select a type, Enter to apply it, or Esc to close it. See Choose what to write in an empty block for the difference between changing types and inserting another block.
Change a block type
Section titled “Change a block type”| Operation | macOS | Windows/Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle forward | Option + Enter | Alt + Enter |
| Cycle backward | Option + Shift + Enter | Alt + Shift + Enter |
| Choose a configured number | Control + the number key | Alt + the number key |
The default number assignments are:
| Key | Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Scene |
| 2 | Stage direction |
| 3 | Character |
| 4 | Aside |
| 5 | Dialogue |
| 7 | Lyrics |
| 0 | Notes |
The Change block type menu displays your current assignments. To change the numbers, see Customize your writing flow. Acts are excluded from the ordinary type menu and cycle. See Choose and change a block type for changing existing text.
On macOS, Option + Tab also switches directly between Character and Stage direction, or between Dialogue and Lyrics. You can make the same changes from the type menu on either platform.
Format text
Section titled “Format text”| Style | macOS | Windows/Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | Command + B | Ctrl + B |
| Italic | Command + I | Ctrl + I |
| Underline | Command + U | Ctrl + U |
Use these with your words selected. See Format your text for toolbar icons and removing a style.
Undo and redo
Section titled “Undo and redo”| Operation | macOS | Windows/Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Undo | Command + Z | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Command + Shift + Z | Ctrl + Y |
Character references
Section titled “Character references”While entering a character reference in a Stage direction, Enter or Tab finishes the reference, and Esc cancels the unfinished one. These keys act on the reference rather than changing the whole block. See Refer to a character in a stage direction for suggestions and returning to ordinary text.