Keywords & Project Searches in Scrivener

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Keywords & Project Searches in Scrivener

Scrivener is a powerful writing tool. I write about it weekly with tips and usage ideas. To read more of my posts click the Scrivener tag or category at the end of the page.

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Recently, I’ve written a few posts about the Inspector and it value as well as using one of its features – Snapshots. Today, I’m following up on those posts with more about the Inspector’s features – this time examining Keywords in a little more detail.

First let’s cover the basics of getting to the Keywords on the Inspector. To turn on the Inspector click on View => Layout and then click on Inspector or use the keyboard shortcut: CTRL + Shift + I.

Next enter Keywords by clicking on the Inspector menu button at the bottom – it’s got the icon of a key as pictured here:

You’ll see Synopsis and a card for Keywords, then the General Meta-Data and next the area where you can work with Keywords. Here you can click + or – to add keywords or the gear icon which has the same options plus the choice to show keywords. You can also access Keywords on the Projects menu and clicking Project Keywords (CTRL + Shift + O).

So what’s important about keywords? These are words that make your project easily search-able and they are subset of managing Meta-Data which essentially is like using Post-It Notes you can color-code, etc. The same goes for Keywords and color-coding. This is a function that’s certainly handy while editing non-fiction. I can also see this function as highly useful in fiction projects – especially like fantasy and science-fiction where custom name usage is very common and important to keep consistent.

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But why are searches important for your manuscript? Easily finding and editing details of keywords is important to all writers. For a fantasy writer like me, editing for consistency and spelling accuracy throughout the project is necessary. For example, I’m currently revising The Bow of Destiny for a detailed edit next month after which I’ll be revising again. Changes in key points may be necessary and I would want to create keywords to make sure I’m consistent throughout the manuscript. Likewise, I have a short story that’s almost ready for submission but needs a final edit. Tracking some keywords can help insure I keep details clear and consistent throughout the project.

In the coming weeks, I’ll discuss more about Meta-Data and its value. I also want to get into other cool Scrivener tools that may just help you as you write.

Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. Sign up for my Archer’s Aim Digest mailing list to receive the forthcoming edition of my newsletter with announcements about upcoming releases and events. You’ll receive my a FREE coupon for my short story e-book, The Black Bag which contains a sample chapter of The Bow of Destiny. You’ll also be the first to have news about my books, especially some free offers this summer related to the upcoming release of The Bow of Destiny, the first novel of The Bow of Hart Saga. Speaking of which, it is now available for pre-release orders on Barnes & Noble, iBooks (via the iTunes app) & NOW Amazon – Kindle. Additionally, September’s FREE book, What Is Needed is available at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks and Smashwords & Amazon.

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Just as a note: I now have a marketing affiliation with Scrivener. For support questions, pricing, licensing and other concerns please contact the vendor. As such a buy ad for Scrivener appears on the sidebar. I’ve started this program　since I like the product so much and want to offer readers the chance to obtain this software. I’m not required to write about Scrivener to be an affiliate; I just like it that much. You can also find my FTC statement on this site’s sidebar.