Here's a little primer (complete with videos) I created to get you started with Scrivener for iOS. If you're looking for a full class on the app, check out Steve Shipley's Udemy course.

Creating a New Project

Scrivener for iOS can be used as a standalone program without the Mac or Windows version. As such, you can create a new project within the iOS app. This also means that if you’re on the road and want to start something new, there's no need to set it up on your computer first. In a minute, I'll tell you how to move the project to Dropbox, if desired. Here’s how to get started.

1. Tap the + Create Project button on the right side of the screen. Alternatively, you can tap the “Tap to create a project” button under On My iPad at the left. 
2. In the New Project dialog box that appears, tap in the text box and type the name of your project. 
3. Click Create.
4. Choose whether to save the project on your iPad or Dropbox. If you’re not working with the Mac or Windows version and don’t need to sync with Dropbox, choose “On my iPad.” If you’ve already set up Dropbox for syncing, and would like this project to be available on your other devices, select Dropbox. NOTE: Remember, you can always move an iPad project to Dropbox later. I discuss this in the next section.  The project is created using Scrivener’s basic Blank template, and the project is opened. 

Video review – 50 secs

Closing a Project

When you’re ready to close a project, simply tap the left arrow button in the upper left corner until you reach the Projects screen.

Sometimes, if you’re in a document in a folder in a project, you may have to tap it several times to back up through the layers.

NOTE: If you tap your iPad’s home button to exit Scrivener, the project doesn’t close. If you plan to work on that project on another computer/device, be sure to return to the Projects screen and sync before exiting.

Moving a Project

On the main Projects screen, projects are organized in two ways. Under the Projects column on the left, they are grouped by location and sorted alphabetically. The project tiles on the right side of the Projects screen display the projects by “last viewed” date/time.

You cannot adjust the order of display in either list, but you can move them between your iPad and Dropbox to change their location. Here’s how.

1. In the Projects column, tap Edit.
   The Projects column enters Edit mode.
2. Press and hold the three lines icon to the right of the project you’d like to move until the project box turns gray.
3. Drag the project to the desired location. The project is now shown in its new location. NOTE: If you moved a project from your iPad to Dropbox, a blue triangle appears to alert you that the project has not been synced to Dropbox.
4. Tap Done to exit Edit mode.

Duplicating a Project

To duplicate a project (same as File—>Save As on the Mac or Windows version), do the following.

1. In the Projects column, tap Edit.
2. Tap the circle to the left of the project to duplicate. 
3. Tap the Duplicate button (squares with + inside) at the bottom of the Projects screen. Scrivener creates a complete copy of the project in the same location as the selected project and adds a number to the end of the new project’s name. 
4. Tap Done to exit Edit mode.

Deleting a Project

Here’s how to delete a project.

1. In the Projects column, tap Edit.
2. Tap the circle to the left of the project to delete.
3. Tap Delete at the bottom of the screen. When the confirmation message appears, tap Delete. The project is removed from your list. NOTE: If the project is stored in Dropbox, it won’t disappear from Dropbox until you sync Scrivener, even though the file no longer appears in your list.
4. Tap Done to exit Edit mode.

Renaming a Project

To rename a project, do the following.

1. Press and hold the project name (in either list) until the Project Title dialog box appears.
2. Type the new name and tap OK.

Video review – 3:39 mins

Need more help? Sign up for an online class, read more Scrivener articles, or schedule a private training session.