Screenplay Editor vs Fountainize vs Screenplay Formatter

Last updated: February 2026

If you write screenplays in Google Docs, you've probably searched for a formatting add-on and found confusing, outdated information. This page gives you the full picture as of 2026: what each tool does, what it costs, whether it still works, and which one to use.

Current Status (February 2026)

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature	Screenplay Editor	Fountainize	Screenplay Formatter
Status	Active ✓	Abandoned ⚠	Discontinued ✗
Last Update	February 2026	June 2020	N/A
Price	Free	Free (limited) / $10-20 Pro	Was free
Element Limit	Unlimited	800 elements free (~15 pages)	N/A
Markup Required?	No — click and write	Yes — Fountain syntax	No
Scene Headings	✓	✓	Was ✓
Action	✓	✓	Was ✓
Character	✓	✓	Was ✓
Dialogue	✓	✓	Was ✓
Parenthetical	✓	✓	Was ✓
Transition	✓	✓	Was ✓
Character Management	✓ Full panel	Basic shortcuts (Pro)	No
PDF Export	✓	No	No
.fdx Export	Coming soon	No	No
Title Page	✓	Pro only	Was ✓
Pomodoro Timer	✓	No	No
Boneyard	✓	No	No
Real-time Collaboration	✓ (Google Docs)	✓ (Google Docs)	Was ✓
Learning Curve	None — click buttons	Moderate — learn Fountain	Was low

Screenplay Editor

Screenplay Editor is a free Google Docs add-on built by Hugo Thomas, a French screenwriter and filmmaker whose work includes Willy 1er (Cannes 2016) and Juniors (Netflix). It launched in December 2024 and has grown to over 1,200 users, with particularly strong adoption in film schools and educational institutions.

The tool takes a different approach from Fountainize: instead of requiring you to learn a markup language, you simply click a button in the sidebar (or use a keyboard shortcut) to apply formatting. Scene headings, action, character, dialogue, parentheticals, and transitions are all formatted to industry-standard specifications with one click.

Beyond basic formatting, Screenplay Editor includes a character management panel that lets you track and insert characters, a Boneyard for storing cut scenes, a Pomodoro writing timer, and PDF export. Final Draft (.fdx) export is in development. The tool is free with no element limits, and all script data stays within your Google account.

Best for: Screenwriters who want professional formatting in Google Docs without learning markup syntax. Students, beginners, and anyone who prefers a visual interface over code-like formatting rules.

Fountainize

Fountainize is based on the Fountain markup language. You write your script using simple text rules (ALL CAPS for characters, "INT." or "EXT." for scene headings, etc.), then press a button to convert the markup into formatted screenplay.

The last update was in June 2020 (v5). The free version is limited to 800 elements, which works out to roughly 15 pages of screenplay. For a full-length feature script, you need the Pro license ($10-20 one-time purchase). There has been no developer communication or updates in over five years, and some users report compatibility issues with recent Google Docs changes.

Best for: Writers who already know Fountain markup and only need to format short scripts or excerpts. Not recommended for feature-length scripts on the free tier, and the lack of updates is a risk factor.

Screenplay Formatter

Screenplay Formatter was the most popular screenplay formatting add-on for Google Docs, with over 1 million installations. It was simple, free, and worked well for basic formatting needs.

Unfortunately, it has been discontinued. Many users have reported being unable to access it, and Google Support threads are filled with questions about where it went. There has been no official communication from the developer about whether it will return.

If you were a Screenplay Formatter user looking for a replacement, Screenplay Editor is the closest equivalent: same ease of use, same click-to-format approach, but with more features and active development.

The Verdict

In 2026, there's really only one actively maintained, full-featured screenplay formatting add-on for Google Docs: Screenplay Editor. It's free, requires no markup knowledge, has no arbitrary element limits, and is being actively developed by a working screenwriter.

Fountainize still technically works for short scripts if you're comfortable with Fountain syntax, but the five-year gap in updates and the 800-element limit on the free version make it hard to recommend for serious work.

Screenplay Formatter is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions