> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.inkwell.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Exporting Files

> Export your script to Fountain, Final Draft (FDX), or PDF format.

Inkwell can export your scripts to industry-standard formats for sharing, submission, or use in other screenwriting applications.

## Export Formats

| Format      | Extension   | Best For                            | Preserves                   |
| ----------- | ----------- | ----------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| PDF         | `.pdf`      | Submissions, printing, distribution | Final formatting, revisions |
| Fountain    | `.fountain` | Plain-text editing, version control | All elements, no revisions  |
| Final Draft | `.fdx`      | Collaboration with FD users         | All elements, revisions     |

## Export to PDF

PDF export creates a professionally formatted, industry-standard screenplay ready for submission or printing.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Export">
    * Go to **File → Export PDF**
    * Or press `Cmd/Ctrl+P` and click **Export PDF**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure options">
    Choose what to include:

    * Title page
    * Scene numbers
    * Sections, notes, synopsis
    * Revision marks
    * Page headers and watermarks
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose save location">
    Select where to save your PDF and name it appropriately
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export">
    Click **Export PDF**. Your script is saved as a PDF file.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### PDF Export Options

All PDF export options are configured in the Print Dialog:

* **Title Page**: Include formatted title page with your script info
* **Scene Numbers**: Add scene numbers if you've numbered your scenes
* **Sections**: Include act/sequence markers (usually off)
* **Notes**: Include inline `[[ notes ]]` (usually off for final drafts)
* **Synopsis**: Include scene summaries (usually off)
* **Revision Marks**: Show asterisks for revised lines
* **Page Header**: Custom text at top of each page
* **Watermark**: Semi-transparent text across pages

[Learn more about print options →](/printing/options)

### When to Export PDF

✅ **Use PDF for**:

* Agent or producer submissions
* Contest entries
* Table reads and rehearsals
* Production scripts
* Archiving final drafts

<Tip>
  Name your PDFs descriptively: `Title-Draft-Date.pdf` (e.g., `TheLastTrain-FirstDraft-2025-01-15.pdf`)
</Tip>

## Export to Fountain

Fountain is a plain-text screenplay format that's human-readable and future-proof.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Export">
    Go to **File → Export → Fountain**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose save location">
    Select where to save and name your file (`.fountain` extension is added automatically)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save**. Your script is exported as plain text.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### What exports to Fountain

✅ **Fully exported**:

* All screenplay elements (scenes, action, dialogue, etc.)
* Title page metadata
* Formatting (bold, italic, underline)
* Sections (`#` markers)
* Synopses (`=` markers)
* Inline notes (`[[ ]]` markers)
* Scene numbers (if present)

❌ **Not exported**:

* Revision marks (Fountain doesn't support revisions)
* Version history (Fountain is a single snapshot)
* Character metadata (bios, colors, etc.)

### When to Export Fountain

✅ **Use Fountain for**:

* Version control with Git
* Editing in any text editor
* Sharing with writers using other Fountain apps
* Long-term archival (future-proof plain text)
* Collaboration on platforms like GitHub

<Tip>
  Fountain files are tiny (usually under 100 KB) and work in any text editor. They're perfect for backing up to cloud storage or version control.
</Tip>

## Export to Final Draft

Final Draft (FDX) export creates files compatible with Final Draft and other professional screenwriting software.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Export">
    Go to **File → Export → Final Draft**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose save location">
    Select where to save and name your file (`.fdx` extension is added automatically)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save**. Your script is exported in FDX format.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### What exports to Final Draft

✅ **Fully exported**:

* All screenplay elements
* Title page metadata
* **Revision marks with colors** (Blue, Pink, Yellow, etc.)
* Formatting (bold, italic, underline)
* Scene numbers
* Dual dialogue
* Page breaks

✅ **Converted from Inkwell format**:

* Sections (`#`) → Outline elements
* Inline notes (`[[ ]]`) → FDX notes

❌ **Not exported**:

* Version history (FDX doesn't store Inkwell's patch-based history)
* Character metadata (bios, colors—FD handles these differently)

<Note>
  Revision marks export with their colors preserved. If you're on a "Blue Revision," the FDX file will show blue revision marks.
</Note>

### When to Export Final Draft

✅ **Use FDX for**:

* Collaborating with Final Draft users
* Production teams that use Final Draft
* Maintaining revision history when switching tools
* Importing into other professional screenwriting software

## Export Best Practices

### File Naming Conventions

Use clear, descriptive names for exports:

**Spec scripts**:

```
Title-Draft-Date.pdf
TheLastTrain-FirstDraft-2025-01-15.pdf
```

**Production scripts**:

```
Title-RevisionColor-Date.pdf
TheLastTrain-BlueRevision-2025-01-22.pdf
```

**Fountain/FDX backups**:

```
Title-Date.fountain
TheLastTrain-2025-01-15.fountain
```

### Version Organization

Create a folder structure for exports:

```
MyScript/
  ├── MyScript-Working.ink (your Inkwell file)
  ├── Exports/
  │   ├── PDF/
  │   │   ├── MyScript-FirstDraft-2025-01-10.pdf
  │   │   └── MyScript-BlueRevision-2025-01-20.pdf
  │   ├── Fountain/
  │   │   └── MyScript-Backup-2025-01-15.fountain
  │   └── FinalDraft/
  │       └── MyScript-ForProducer-2025-01-18.fdx
```

### Before Exporting

<Steps>
  <Step title="Update Script Info">
    Check **Project Panel → Script Info** to ensure:

    * Title is correct
    * Author name is current
    * Contact info is up-to-date
    * Draft date reflects this version
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review formatting">
    Do a quick scroll-through:

    * All scenes formatted correctly
    * Character names consistent
    * No stray notes or TODOs (unless intentional)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check scene numbers">
    If this is a production script:

    * Use **Screenplay → Number Scenes** to add/update numbers
    * Verify numbering is continuous
  </Step>

  <Step title="Handle revisions">
    If tracking revisions:

    * Ensure revision color is set correctly
    * Mark all changes before exporting
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Common Export Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Which format should I use for submissions?">
    **Always PDF** for agents, producers, and contests. PDFs ensure your formatting looks exactly as intended, regardless of what software the recipient uses.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I re-import exported files?">
    Yes! All three formats can be imported back into Inkwell:

    * **PDF**: Import works, but may need cleanup
    * **Fountain**: Perfect round-trip (no data loss)
    * **FDX**: Perfect round-trip including revisions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do exports include my version history?">
    No. Exports are snapshots of your current script. Version history is unique to `.ink` files. To preserve history, keep your original `.ink` file.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my PDF missing the title page?">
    Title page content comes from **Script Info** (Project Panel → Script Info tab). Fill it out, then export again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I export multiple scripts at once?">
    Not currently. Export each script individually. If you need to batch export, consider scripting Fountain exports (plain text is easily automated).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Revision marks aren't showing in my PDF">
    Check two things:

    1. **Revision Marks** toggle is on in the Print Dialog
    2. Your script actually has marked revisions (use **Screenplay → Mark Selection Revised** first)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Printing options" icon="print" href="/printing/options">
    Customize PDF output with headers, watermarks, and more
  </Card>

  <Card title="Importing files" icon="file-import" href="/managing-files/importing-files">
    Import scripts from other applications
  </Card>

  <Card title="Revisions" icon="pen" href="/writing/revisions">
    Track changes with revision marks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Script Info" icon="info-circle" href="/project-panel/script-info">
    Update title page metadata
  </Card>
</CardGroup>