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A Guide to the Scrivener iPad App: Features, Download, Pros and Alternatives

September 21, 2023 1.1K views

Unlocking the full potential of your Scrivener iPad app includes mastering the crucial art of project compilation. This process, vital for refining your work into various formats, can be a stumbling block for some users. The question is, how do you compile your project on Scrivener for iPad? This article will guide you through simple, effective methods to ensure your writing reaches its intended audience seamlessly.

What is Scrivener?

The Scrivener iPad app is an extension of the renowned Scrivener software. It is tailored for the convenience of writers, researchers, and content creators who prefer the mobility and flexibility of Apple’s tablet.

Developed by Literature & Latte, this powerful and versatile word-processing software offers a comprehensive toolset designed to meet the unique needs of those engaged in diverse projects.

Much like its desktop counterpart, the Scrivener iPad app empowers users to effectively organize their thoughts, research materials, and drafts while on the go. That provides a seamless and mobile writing experience.

Features of Scrivener for iPad

The Scrivener iPad app offers a range of features that enable writers to work on their projects from anywhere, making it a versatile tool for those on the move. Here are some of the critical features of the Scrivener iPad app:

  • Mobility: With the Scrivener iPad app, you can carry your writing projects, allowing you to work virtually anywhere - whether in a coffee shop, on public transport, or traveling. This mobility ensures that you can seize inspiration and use your time effectively.

  • Organization: Similar to the desktop version, Scrivener for iPad offers organizational tools like the Binder and Corkboard, allowing you to structure and arrange your writing project efficiently.

  • Cloud Integration: The Scrivener iPad app integrates with cloud services like Dropbox, allowing you to back up your work and access it from multiple devices.

  • Research Integration: You can access your research materials, notes, and references directly within the app, ensuring that all your resources are at your fingertips while you write.

  • Snapshot and Version Control: Scrivener for iPad includes features like Snapshots, which enable you to save and compare different versions of your work, helping you track changes and revisions.

  • Templates: The app offers customizable Scrivener iPad templates to streamline the creation of various documents, from novels to screenplays.

How do You Download the Scrivener iPad App?

Step 1:  Open the “App Store” in the search bar, and type “Scrivener.” Then, select “Get” to start the download process.

Step 2: After downloading the app, select “Open” to open the app and begin writing content.

Step 3: Once you have opened the app, you can right-click and select “Add Text” to create a new document where you can start writing.

How to Compile Your Project on the Scrivener iPad App?

Step 1: Select your desired project in the “Projects” list to see its Binder. At the bottom left of the screen is the “Compile” icon. Select this icon to bring up the “Compile” screen.

Step 2: On the “Compile” screen, change the settings to suit your project requirements. That includes changing the file format, the appearance, whether the page numbers should be in the header or footer, and several others. After you have changed or kept the settings the same, select “Compile” to begin compiling your document.

Step 3: Once the document is compiled, it can be shared (red arrow) or opened in another application (green arrow). Sharing the document includes sending it via email or saving it to Dropbox, iCloud, or another cloud service. Opening it in another application allows you to open the document in another application, depending on the available apps and the document format. Once you have chosen what to do, select “Done.”

Using the Scrivener iPad app provides a versatile and streamlined writing experience. Basic operations are intuitive, allowing for easy document creation and editing. The Binder and Corkboward tools remain central to organizing your project, and you can seamlessly integrate research materials.

The distraction-free writing mode and custom templates enhance the writing experience. As for the interface settings, Scrivener for iPad allows customization of font themes and even offers a dark mode for low-light environments, providing a personalized writing environment.

What are the Pros and Cons of Scrivener for iPad?

Pros of Scrivener:

  • Organization: Scrivener for iPad excels at helping writers organize their projects. The Binder, Corkboard, and Outliner views make structuring and arranging your content accessible, ensuring a well-organized writing process.

  • Research Integration: The Scrivener iPad app seamlessly integrates research materials, allowing you to access notes, references, and resources without leaving the application, enhancing your workflow.

  • Customization: Scrivener for iPad provides customization options, enabling you to tailor your workspace and templates to your writing needs, promoting creativity and efficiency.

Cons of Scrivener:

  • Learning Curve: Scrivener, in general, has a steeper learning curve than more superficial writing apps. Some users may find it challenging to navigate all of its features and options, which could lead to a period of adjustment.

  • No Collaboration Features: Scrivener for iPad might not be the ideal choice if you require collaborative writing or editing features. It needs robust collaboration tools, making it more suitable for co-authoring or group projects.

A Scrivener download offers significant organization, research integration, and customization advantages. However, it should be understood that a lot of time will need to be invested in learning its features, which may take time away from the creative process.

Also, writers and authors seeking extensive collaboration tools may need to consider alternative options for group projects. The app lacks collaboration features to make it easier for group projects.

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WPS Office for iPad: Your Ultimate Office Companion

As good as Scrivener may be, there is a free alternative for people who desire Scrivener for their iPads—introducing WPS Office, the absolute best alternative!

WPS Office is a dynamic and versatile office suite that empowers users to open, create, and edit Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations, all within the convenience of your iPad.

Much like the Scrivener iPad app, WPS Office offers a remarkable set of advantages that make. That makes it an invaluable tool for productivity on the go.

Pros of WPS Office:

  • Free download and Usage: WPS Office for iPad provides essential office tools without subscription fees or licensing costs.

  • Comprehensive Office Suite: It offers tools for word processing (Word), spreadsheet management (Excel), and presentation creation (PowerPoint), comparable to leading office suites.

  • Rich Template Store: Access a wide range of professionally designed templates to enhance document aesthetics and productivity.

  • Rich Functions: It provides diverse functions and features suitable for various office tasks.

  • Powerful PDF Toolkit: WPS Office includes robust PDF editing, conversion, and creation tools, simplifying various tasks related to PDF documents.

  • Lightweight: Despite its feature-rich nature, WPS Office for iPad is lightweight, ensuring optimal performance on your device.

  • Support for Online Documents: Collaborate seamlessly and access your documents online, enabling work from anywhere with an internet connection.

  • Safety and Stability: WPS Office is known for its reliability, providing a safe and stable platform for your office-related work.

How to free download the WPS Office?

Step 1: Open the “App Store” and type “WPS Office” in the search bar. Then, select “Get” to start the download process.

Step 2: Select “Install” on the pop-up dialog box after downloading the app.

Step 3: After successfully installing the WPS Office app on your iPhone, select “Open” to open the app and begin editing your documents.

Step 4: Select whether or not you would like to receive notifications from the WPS Office. Then, select “Agree” to the Privacy and License reminder.

Step 5: Once the WPS Office app has been downloaded from the App Store, select “Open.” Then, the WPS Office app will open on your iPhone with the available features displayed on the opening screen.

Step 6: When you close the app, its icon will be displayed on your home screen for easy access.

FAQs

1. Is Scrivener for iPad free?

Yes and no. Scrivener will run in trial mode if you don't have a license. The trial is the same as the full version but will stop working after 30 days of use, at which point you will be required to pay to continue accessing Scrivener’s services.

2. Do I have to pay for Scrivener twice?

Yes. Each license sold covers only one platform. So, if you buy Scrivener for macOS, for instance, you cannot use the macOS license to unlock the Windows version.

3. Can I use Scrivener on multiple computers?

Absolutely! Scrivener comes with what we call a “household” license. That means that you can install Scrivener on any machines you own, of which you are the primary user. You can also install it on the computers of family members living in your house.

Final Words

In closing, Scrivener for iPad is an excellent software to use on an iPad. It offers a range of features that writers can fully utilize. However, accessing these features for free is only valid for 30 days, after which you will have to pay what might be a lot of money for some people.

There is, however, a free alternative in the WPS Office. It is the best alternative on the market, and iPad users can enjoy its full functionalities. The interface is user-friendly, the features are freely available, and downloading it from the App Store is easier than ever.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.