Where to find it: Left sidebar → Writing → Files tab Open in 4TW ↗
Creating a File
- Click New File to create a blank document. It opens immediately in the editor.
- Click the title at the top to rename your file. You can also pick a colored icon to make it easier to spot in your list.
- Start writing. The editor saves automatically as you type.
Writing in the Editor
Once a file is open:- Words and time are tracked automatically. Your word count and time update in real time, feeding into active battles and your daily streak.
- The toolbar has bold, italic, headers, lists, and more. Click Hide bar for a cleaner view.
- Spellcheck toggles on/off from the toolbar icon. Turn it off if the editor feels slow on long files.
- Tags label your files. Click the tag icon to manage them.
- Fullscreen mode hides the sidebar and toolbar for a distraction-free view.
Your writing editor customizations won’t affect the Color Theme you pick for the rest of the site. Customize the editor for your ideal writing session, the rest of the site stays on your preferred theme.
File Versions
4thewords automatically saves a snapshot of your file every 30 minutes while you’re writing. You can preview, restore, or permanently pin any version.| Plan | Retention | Pinned versions |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 30 days | 50 |
| Member | 6 months | 200 |
| Pro | 1 year | 500 |
| Lifetime Pro | 3 years | 1,000 |
Sorting and Searching Your Files
At the top of the Writing tab (click “back to All Files” if inside the writing editor):- Search bar: type to filter your file list by name.
- Sort dropdown. Sort by Recently updated, Oldest updated, Most words, Least words, Most time, or Least time.
- Options menu:
- List view: switch between card grid and a compact list view that shows word counts, time, and goals at a glance
- Unassigned: show only files not yet added to any project
- Select files: enter selection mode to Archive Selected or Assign Selected in bulk
Favorites
Where to find it: Left sidebar → Writing → Favorites tab Open in 4TW ↗Any file you star appears here. Use it to keep your current work-in-progress one click away.
Archive
Where to find it: Left sidebar → Writing → Archive tab Open in 4TW ↗Archiving moves a file out of your main list without deleting it. A “maybe delete later” bin. From the Archive you can:
- Restore All or Restore Selected: moves files back to your Files list as unassigned
- Delete All or Delete Selected: permanently deletes the file. This cannot be undone.
Files in the Archive are safe until you choose to delete them. Always archive before you delete. There’s no recovering a permanently deleted file.
Exporting Your Writing
Open the Options menu from the Files view and click Download all to export everything at once. To export a single file, click the … icon on any file card and look for the export option. Available formats: Markdown, HTML, .TXT and DOCX.Frequently Asked Questions
Do the words I type count toward battles if I'm writing inside a project file?
Do the words I type count toward battles if I'm writing inside a project file?
Yes. Any words you type in the editor count toward active battles, whether the file is standalone or inside a project.
What's the difference between a file and a project?
What's the difference between a file and a project?
A file is a single document, one writing space. A project is a folder that holds multiple files, organized into optional named sections. Think of a project as a book and its files as chapters.
What happens when I archive a file?
What happens when I archive a file?
The file moves to the Archive tab and disappears from your main Files list. It’s not deleted; you can restore it at any time. Permanent deletion only happens when you choose Delete from the Archive.
Is there a word count limit per file?
Is there a word count limit per file?
Yes. At 100,000 words, you’ll see a slowdown warning. At 150,000 words, saving stops and no new words are counted. Split large files into multiple documents inside a project to continue writing.
Can I export my writing?
Can I export my writing?
Yes. Export individual files from the file action menu, or use Options → Download all to export everything at once. Supported formats: Markdown, HTML, .TXT and DOCX.
Words aren't being saved in your file.
Words aren't being saved in your file.
Check your internet connection or your file has hit the 150,000-word limit. Saving stops at that threshold. Create a new file inside the same project to continue writing, and move your content there.
The editor feels laggy or slow to respond.
The editor feels laggy or slow to respond.
Turn off spellcheck using the toolbar icon. This is the most common cause of slowdown on long files. Splitting very large files into smaller documents also helps.
A file is missing from your Files list.
A file is missing from your Files list.
It was likely archived. Check the Archive tab. If it’s there, click Restore Selected to bring it back.
You can't create new files and see a quota message.
You can't create new files and see a quota message.
You’ve reached the file limit for your account tier. Upgrade your subscription plan to create more files, or permanently delete old files from the Archive tab to free up space.
You pasted text into your file but the words didn't count toward your battle or streak.
You pasted text into your file but the words didn't count toward your battle or streak.
Check your Account → Settings to make sure you have Copy/Paste allowed = On. In Co-Op on Medium or higher, paste is disabled by design. If paste still isn’t counting in an allowed mode, type a few words after pasting to trigger the counter, then refresh.