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

1. In **Word Counter**, click **+ New Project**, or click the pencil icon (**Edit project**) on an existing project.
2. Enter the words you already have in **Starting Word Count**, for example 24500.
3. 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.