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How to Format a Screenplay in Google Docs

This guide explains the standard elements of a formatted screenplay and how to apply them when working in Google Docs using CineFormat AI.

What Is Screenplay Formatting?

Screenplay formatting refers to the standardized layout that professional scripts follow. These conventions exist so that cast, crew, and producers can read scripts quickly and derive information like scene locations, speaking characters, and estimated screen time.

Industry-standard formatting is defined by organizations including the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and followed by production companies worldwide. Deviating from these standards can make a script appear unprofessional.

The Core Elements of a Properly Formatted Screenplay

Scene Headings (Sluglines)

Scene headings appear at the beginning of each new scene. They are written in all caps and follow the format: INT. LOCATION — DAY or EXT. LOCATION — NIGHT. The heading indicates whether the scene is interior (INT.) or exterior (EXT.), the location name, and the time of day.

Action Lines

Action lines describe what happens on screen. They are written in present tense and run full-width across the page. Only what can be seen or heard on screen should appear in action lines.

Character Cues

Before a character speaks, their name appears centered and in all caps above the dialogue. This is called a character cue or character name element.

Dialogue

Dialogue is indented inward from both margins, centered on the page. The dialogue block sits directly beneath the character cue.

Parentheticals

Brief performance directions appear inside parentheses between the character cue and the dialogue, indented slightly less than the dialogue itself.

Transitions

Transitions such as CUT TO: or FADE OUT. appear right-aligned and in all caps. They are used sparingly in modern screenwriting.

Standard Page Specifications

A properly formatted screenplay page uses Courier or Courier New at 12-point size. The margins are: top 1 inch, bottom 1 inch, left 1.5 inches, right 1 inch. One properly formatted page equals approximately one minute of screen time.

Why Google Docs Makes This Difficult

Google Docs does not include screenplay formatting as a built-in style. Writers who attempt manual formatting must configure custom paragraph styles, tab stops, and margins for each element type — a process that is both slow and fragile. Any copy-paste operation or new paragraph can reset the formatting.

Using CineFormat AI to Format a Screenplay in Google Docs

CineFormat AI is a Google Docs add-on that automates all of the formatting described above. Once installed, it detects screenplay elements in your document and applies the correct styles automatically.

1. Install CineFormat AI from the Google Workspace Marketplace.
2. Open your Google Doc containing the screenplay draft.
3. Open the CineFormat AI sidebar from the Add-ons menu in the Google Docs toolbar.
4. Click Format. The add-on reads your content, identifies scene headings, dialogue, action lines, and other elements, then applies the appropriate styles.
5. Review the result and make any adjustments using the sidebar controls.
6. Export your formatted screenplay as a PDF or Final Draft .fdx file.

Exporting a Formatted Screenplay from Google Docs

Once your screenplay is formatted, CineFormat AI provides two export options accessible directly from the sidebar:

• PDF Export: Generates a submission-ready PDF that preserves all margins, fonts, and formatting.
• Final Draft (.fdx) Export: Converts your script to the industry-standard .fdx format for use in Final Draft or other compatible applications.

Also see: Screenplay Format Guide • FAQ