If you’ve written your manuscript in Scrivener, you already know how powerful this writing tool can be. But when it’s time to share your work—with an editor, agent, or critique partner—many writers hit a wall:
How do you convert your Scrivener project into a clean, professional Microsoft Word document?
This blog post walks you through how to export your manuscript from Scrivener to Microsoft Word (.docx) step by step. If you prefer to watch the video, click here to hop on over to my YouTube channel.
What Does “Compile” Mean in Scrivener?
In Scrivener, “Compile” is the term for exporting your manuscript from the program into another format like Word, PDF, or plain text. Think of it like quilting. Scrivener gathers all your folders, scenes, and text files and stitches them together into one cohesive document.
It’s how you move from draft to something you can share with critique partners or an editor.
How to Open the Compile Window in Scrivener
There are two easy ways to access Scrivener’s Compile feature:
- Option 1: Go to File > Compile
- Option 2: Click the Compile icon (a stack of papers with an upward arrow) in the main toolbar. It looks like this:
This opens your Compile window, where you’ll decide what gets included and how your final document will look.
Compile Format: Why You Should Choose Microsoft Word (.docx)
Once inside the compile window, you’ll be prompted to choose an output format at the top where it says “Compile for.” You can select options like “print” or ePub from the drop down menu. For most writers, especially if you’re sharing drafts or submitting work, the best option is MS Word (.docx), which is selected below.
If you are just starting out, select “Default” under “Formats” on the left and ignore the Section Layouts in the center column.
What to Include in Your Export (and What to Leave Out)
In the right-hand panel of the compile window, you’ll see a list of your manuscript’s contents, each with a checkbox.
These boxes control what’s included in your export. You can:
- Uncheck research files or notes you had in your main manuscript area, so they stay private
- Skip incomplete chapters or placeholders
- Include only final drafts or specific sections
Use the Gear Icon to Clean Up Your Document
Click the gear icon (⚙️) for even more control. Here you can:
- Remove inline comments
- Strip out annotations and highlights and text that’s been struck through
- Hide footnotes
I remove my footnotes, opting to send a clean draft plus a bibliography when I submit nonfiction. Footnotes are just for me, a way to know where to look in my research if there’s a question from the fact checker.
The Final Step: Compile and Export Your Draft
Once everything is selected, just click the “Compile” button at the bottom.
- Name your file (e.g., “7-13-2025 MyNovel_Draft1.docx”). I always include a date.
- Choose a save location
- Click Save
Boom—you’ve created a clean, formatted Word document, ready for feedback or submission.
Success! You’re Ready to Share Your Manuscript
Now you’ve got a polished .docx version of your manuscript—perfect for email, cloud sharing, or printing.
No formatting nightmares. No disorganized drafts. Just your best work, exported exactly as you intended.
👉 Download my free Scrivener Cheat Sheet — A one-page reference with all the shortcuts and steps for exporting, organizing, and formatting.
👉 Sign up for my newsletter to get alerted to new posts — It includes a roundup of all new blog posts and is sent on or about the 25th of each month.
👉 Explore Scrivener for Writers — Discover why so many authors use Scrivener to plan, draft, and finish their books. (Note: You can test Scrivener for free for 30 days. If you choose to buy using this link, I receive a small commission at no cost to you.)
What’s Your Biggest Scrivener Struggle?
Let me know in the comments—whether it’s formatting, metadata, or organizing your research. I’m planning more YouTube tutorials and blog posts and would love to know what to focus on.
Final Tip: Many authors feel overwhelmed the first time they use Scrivener’s compile feature. But once you try it a couple of times, it becomes second nature. Bookmark this guide or download the cheat sheet so you can reference it anytime!
