> Bring in a manuscript from Word, EPUB, Markdown, plain text or PDF. The chapters are found for you and shown to check before you import. # ![](/_astro/inbox-tray.DCCGaGdu_ZU9UGe.webp) Smart Import Bring your draft in with its chapters intact Smart Import is for writers who arrive with a draft. It brings in a manuscript from Word, EPUB, Markdown, plain text or PDF, finds the chapters for you, and shows them to check before anything is added. * $45 once, no subscription * Windows and macOS * Phone app included * Works offline [Buy NovelOS, $45 once](https://buy.novelos.studio/) [ Download for Free ![](/_astro/windows.BgLZZtb4_jj0G0.webp)Windows | ![](/_astro/apple.DpoFb0IJ_2gqwJ3.webp)macOS | ![](/_astro/android.U0XyjIh__1jgcYB.webp)Mobile ](/downloads/) [ ![The Smart Import dialog listing the chapters it found in a file, with their titles and word counts.](/images/1440/smart-import-chapters.webp) Starts at 22:20 ](https://youtu.be/Wrey3NAX75U?t=1340) Part of the 25 minute walkthrough. [Watch the full tour from the start ](https://youtu.be/Wrey3NAX75U) [Watch on YouTube ](https://youtu.be/Wrey3NAX75U?t=1340) ## Bring in the draft you already have Smart Import finds the chapter breaks in your file and lists the chapters with their word counts. Untick any you do not want, then import. Nothing is added until you say so. Choose what comes in Headings in a Markdown file become chapters, and smaller headings become parts inside them. Untick anything you do not want before you import. Detected chapters Smart Import finds the chapters in the file and shows them before anything is added to your book. ## Import from Word, EPUB, Markdown, plain text or PDF Word (.docx) from Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Pages or LibreOffice. EPUB, Markdown and plain text. PDF too, if it has a text layer. A scanned PDF cannot be read. Word headings become chapters In a Word file, Smart Import splits the book on the heading styles. Heading 1 becomes a chapter and Heading 2 a part inside it, each with its word count. Smart Import Bring in a manuscript you already wrote, from Word, EPUB, PDF, Markdown or plain text. ## Your existing chapters stay as they are Imported chapters are added at the end of the book. The chapters you already have are not changed. ![The manuscript with three imported chapters and two parts at the end of the table of contents, numbered 12 to 14, and the first of them open in the editor.](/images/smart-import-added.webp) ![The manuscript with three imported chapters and two parts at the end of the table of contents, numbered 12 to 14, and the first of them open in the editor.](/images/smart-import-addedl.webp) ## Good to know * **Imported words do not count toward your daily goal.** Your daily goal counts the words you write. Anything over 500 words inserted at once stays out of your daily goal and streak. * **Read on your device.** The file is opened on your own computer or phone. Nothing is uploaded. * **Project files are different.** A .novelos file is a whole NovelOS project. Use Import Project on the shelf for those. ## Related features [See every feature → ](/features/) * [ The manuscript editor ](/features/manuscript/) Write the book in chapters and sub-chapters, with Zen, Typewriter and Vanishing modes and search that forgives typos. * [ Scenes and the timeline ](/features/scenes-timeline/) Plan each scene, link it to its chapter, and read the whole story in order on a timeline arranged by chapter. * [ Goals and progress ](/features/writing-sprint-kit/) Set a word target and a deadline, see the daily pace that gets you there, and keep a record of every writing day. * [ Publish and export ](/features/manuscript-formatter/) Export to Word, EPUB, PDF, HTML, Markdown, RTF and plain text. The PDF follows your trim size, margins and font. * [ The phone app ](/features/mobile-app/) The same studio on iOS and Android with the same licence, and one file that moves a project between devices. ## Common questions ### Which file types can I import? Word (.docx), EPUB, Markdown, plain text and PDF. ### Can I import from Scrivener, Google Docs or Pages? Yes. Export or download the manuscript as Word (.docx) from that app, then open the file with Smart Import. ### Can it read a scanned PDF? No. A PDF needs a text layer. A scan is a picture of the pages. ### Will it overwrite what I have already written? No. Imported chapters are added at the end of the book. ### Is my manuscript uploaded to be converted? No. The file is read on your own device. ### Is it included in the $45? Yes, on Windows, macOS and the phone app. ## Guides for drafting [Browse all articles → ](/blog/) [ ![](/_astro/exposition-timing-window.C3UFnI9B_Z1bB0dh.webp) Exposition in Motion: Give Readers the Right Fact at the Right Moment Place exposition where readers need it by testing what each fact helps them follow, judge, or reinterpret in the current scene. Read article → ](/blog/exposition-immediate-story/)[ ![](/_astro/blurb-synopsis-story-ledger.DsAU8jL__ZQG7Vc.webp) Book Blurb vs Synopsis: Build Promise and Proof Compare a book blurb with a synopsis, then use a promise-to-payoff ledger to write reader-facing copy and a spoiler-complete submission document. Read article → ](/blog/blurb-vs-synopsis/)[ ![](/_astro/dialogue-tag-clarity.DA55unOs_Z1JwpJY.webp) A Clarity Test for Every Dialogue Tag Test dialogue tags by speaker clarity, reset points, placement, action, and rhythm so readers never need to reconstruct who spoke. Read article → ](/blog/dialogue-tag-clarity/) ### Writing Tips & First Edition Access. Craft guides and product updates in your inbox. No spam, ever · Unsubscribe in one click ## Finish your story. Keep your tools. One payment and it is yours. No subscription, no account, no telemetry. Watch the full walkthrough before you buy. [ Buy NovelOS, $45 once ](https://buy.novelos.studio/) One-Time Payment No Telemetry See It First Releases are logged on the [changelog](/changelog/). What comes next is on the [roadmap](/roadmap/). Both are public and dated.