Is Final Draft Cloud-Based? (SOLVED)

Is Final Draft Cloud-Based?

No, Final Draft is not cloud-based. Final Draft is only available as a desktop computer download or mobile app. There is no option to save your documents in a Final Draft cloud. However, there is a way to sync Final Draft to an external cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.

I recently signed up for a free trial of Final Draft, and I have been deep-diving into the finer details of the software.

As a quick summary, Final Draft is top-notch screenwriting software that has been used by Hollywood professionals for over two decades. Final Draft’s popularity and success are a result of excellent marketing and its ability to provide a flexible and easy writing experience, no matter if you are using your desktop computer or mobile device.

As I studied the software, the same questions came up for me over and over again.

A quick Google search told me that other people had the same questions. So I decided to write this article to answer the most pressing questions related to “Is Final Draft cloud-based?”

Let’s dig in!

Do I Have To Be Online To Use Final Draft?

One of the most confusing aspects of Final Draft for beginners (like me) is to figure out if Final Draft is online software. So I searched for the answer to whether or not it is web-based.

Do you have to be online to use Final Draft?

No, you do not need to be online to use Final Draft. Final Draft is a desktop application that works entirely offline.

Final Draft does require an internet connection to install and activate the software, but once it’s activated, you can use the program without being connected to the Internet.

After that initial setup, Final Draft does not require a connection to work, so you can use the software completely offline. This is part of the reason Final Draft is not compatible with Chromebooks.

Is There an Online Version of Final Draft?

No, there is not an online version of Final Draft. Final Draft is an offline program that you can download and install on your computer.

There is also a Final Draft app for apple or ios mobile devices.

You can access the mobile app by going to the Final Draft website and scrolling to the top of the page. You will find a section in the navigation menu for “products”.

When you move your cursor over “products,” you will see an option for “Final Draft iPhone and iPad“.

Click on the option. This takes you to a page that describes the app and even provides a video so that you can see it in action. You’ll also see an option to get the app. Click on it, download it, and install it.

You can also go onto iTunes store to search for theFinal Draft apps.

Unfortunately, Final Draft does not offer a simliar app for Android Devices. That’s a bummer, since I use 100% android devices.

According to the Final Draft website, most of their users prefer ios devices so that is where they focus for accessability. They do promise to continue to evaluate the need for an android.

Fingers crossed that they create one in the near future.

Does Final Draft Have a Cloud?

No, Final Draft does not have a cloud. Final Draft is not web-based. You do not need internet access to use FinalDraft, and it does not require an internet connection.

What is a cloud?

A cloud storage system is a form of virtually storing and retrieving data. Cloud computing is the use of internet-connected computers to store, manage, and process your information. It provides access from different types of devices like desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

Final Draft automatically saves documents to a “backup folder” located on your computer’s hard drive.

You can change the location of the backup folder and also sync the backup folder to an external cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This is a simple workaround to back up your Final Draft projects to the cloud.

However, Final Draft itself does not offer cloud storage.

How Do I Save Final Draft to the Cloud?

You can easily redirect the automatic Final Draft folder to a sync folder connected to your external cloud storage service. If your computer crashes, if you have a backup of your work saved on the cloud, then all is not lost.

There are a few ways to sync Final Draft to your cloud storage provider.

First, you need to sign up with a cloud storage service. You have many options from which to choose a favorite. I have used Google Drive and Dropbox, so I can vouch for them.

Here are a list of popular cloud storage services:

  • Google Drive
  • DropBox
  • Alibaba Cloud
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Rackspace Cloud
  • Microsoft Azure
  • VMWare
  • IBM

Some of these cloud services are free and others involve a cost, usually in the form of monthly payments. Several include free versions up to a maximum storage limit.

I recommend Google Drive because it is free and works across devices.

Once you choose your cloud service provider, you can sync your Final Draft folder to your cloud storage.

The location of your backup folder on Final Draft differs based on the version you own. Here is a nice detailed explanation of how to find your Final Draft backup folder based on your version.

When you locate your Final Draft backup folder, you can then sync it to your cloud storage service.

Here are the Final Draft cloud sync steps:

  1. Open Final Draft
  2. Go to Tools
  3. Go to Options
  4. You’ll see the current backup folder near the bottom of the General tab
  5. Click the three dots on the right (across from “Auto-Backup”)
  6. Click This PC
  7. Click Documents
  8. Click your cloud service provider (example: Google Drive)
  9. Create a new folder
  10. Name the new folder (you can name it anything, but you might want to include Final Draft or FD in the title so that you can remember what the folder is for)
  11. Click on your new folder to highlight it
  12. Click the OK button
  13. Continue to click OK buttons until you get back to your script document

Once you complete these steps, your Final Draft documents will automatically save to your cloud storage service.

Here is a 3-minute video that shows you visually how to back up your Final Draft documents. You’ll also see the “three little dots” on the screen so that you know exactly where to find them.

Video by Final Draft via YouTube—Is Final Draft Cloud-Based?

Since technology can be goofy sometimes, I recommend that you double-check that the sync works. Simply save a Final Draft document, wait 5-10 minutes, and then go to your cloud service provider to see if it backed up a copy.

If so, then you are good.

If not, repeat the process and test the results again. Wait 30 minutes this time. If you continue to experience trouble, you can reach out to support at Final Draft for more assistance.

Final Thoughts on “Is Final Draft Cloud-Based?”

Even though Final Draft is not cloud-based, you can autosave your documents to your computer’s hard drive or sync the autosave folder to a cloud storage service.

It’s surprisingly easy.

I actually think it’s great that Final Draft is not cloud-based. This means that you can use Final Draft without an internet connection, no matter where you are, because the software is hardwired into your computer.

There is no need to scramble to find Wi-Fi. You can literally access Final Draft anywhere, especially with the mobile app.

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