Alternates

Write another version of a scene, a folder of scenes or a whole arrangement alongside the original. Then keep whichever works best. Nothing is ever deleted.

Try another version of a scene

  1. Select the scene. In the inspector's Alternates section, choose New Alternate… (Another Alternate… once there's one).
  2. Name the version, or keep the suggested "Version 2", and choose Create.
  3. The copy opens in the editor. A banner reminds you that you're writing an alternate.

Choose Back to Current in the banner to return to the version in your manuscript.

Try another version of a folder

Select a folder and choose New Alternate…. Five Rooms copies the folder and everything in it into its own arrangement, named "Folder — Version", and opens it. Restructure, rewrite or cut freely; the original folder is untouched.

Try another order for the book

Show the arrangement in the contents, then choose Fork “name” from the tile above them. Reorder the copy however you like. To make it the book, choose Make This the Manuscript from the same tile.

Compare and choose

Choose Compare Side by Side… in the inspector, or Compare in the banner. Removed text is struck through in red, added text is green and moved text is orange.

To make a version the one in your manuscript, choose Promote, in the inspector or the banner. The version it replaces becomes an alternate, so you can switch back at any time.

Only the current version is compiled and counted. Alternates are left out of statistics, style checks and continuity checks.