If you're partway through a manuscript when you start using Word Counter, enter the words you already have as a Starting Word Count. You don't need to log them as a session.
Add a starting word count
- In Word Counter, click + New Project, or click the pencil icon (Edit project) on an existing project.
- Enter the words you already have in Starting Word Count, for example 24500.
- Click Create Project or Save Changes.
How the starting count is used
- It counts toward your total on the project card and your progress toward the Target Word Count.
- It's included when your daily goal is recalculated from the words you still need to write.
- It doesn't appear in Word Count History, in the Cumulative Word Count chart, or in stats such as Total Words Written and Today's Words. Those only show words you've logged in Word Counter.
Logging a cumulative total
When you log a session using Cumulative total, enter your manuscript's whole word count, including the starting words. Word Counter takes the starting count off before saving the session, so you don't count those words twice.
Why not log the old words as a session?
A single session of 24,500 words would show up as your Most Active Day and push up your Total Words Written. Using Starting Word Count keeps your stats about the writing you've actually tracked.