What software does JK Rowling use to write her books?

J.K. Rowling is known to have used Microsoft Word for writing and editing her novels, including during the later stages of writing the Harry Potter series. She has also used a laptop to work on her books. [What software does J.K. Rowling use to write her books?](https://www.craigweiland.com/?p=118)[What writing software do writers use](https://wiki.pdfdb.com/article/what-writing-software-do-writers-use/) However, her writing process isn't limited to software. In an earlier interview, Rowling explained that she preferred to write her first drafts by hand with a pen and paper, then type them onto a computer for editing. [AmazonUK](https://www.hp-lexicon.org/source/interviews/amazonuk/)[Transcript: Rowling's 1998 ITN Interview](https://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/transcript-rowlings-1998-itn-interview/) Her exact current writing software hasn't been reliably confirmed in the sources I found. Her official [On Writing series](https://www.jkrowling.com/on-writing/) is a good place to explore her writing process. [On Writing](https://www.jkrowling.com/on-writing/)[J.K. Rowling talks in depth for the first time about her writing](https://stories.jkrowling.com/j-k-rowling-talks-in-depth-for-the-first-time-about-her-writing/) If you want to write a novel like Rowling, Microsoft Word or Google Docs is a perfectly good place to start. You don't need special software to write a bestselling book.

J.K. Rowling primarily uses **Microsoft Word** to write her novels. She has mentioned that Word’s simplicity and reliability make it her preferred tool for drafting and editing. In fact, she was shown in the documentary _J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life_ finishing _Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows_ on a laptop using Word [What does JK Rowling use to write?](https://francalvoactor.com/what-does-jk-rowling-use-to-write/)[Which writing software do famouse authors use?](https://www.bookrunch.org/news/which_writing_software_do_famouse_authors_use/). Her writing process blends traditional and digital methods: * ✍️ **Handwritten notes & notebooks**: Rowling often begins with handwritten outlines, character sketches, and plot diagrams. She relies heavily on notebooks to plan story arcs and world-building details. * 💻 **Microsoft Word**: Once her ideas are organized, she transfers them into Word for drafting, editing, and formatting. Word’s track changes and comments features also make collaboration with editors easier. * 📖 **Planning tools**: She meticulously storyboards her plots and keeps detailed notes on characters and magical rules to maintain consistency across the Harry Potter universe [What does JK Rowling use to write?](https://francalvoactor.com/what-does-jk-rowling-use-to-write/). Unlike some modern authors who use specialized writing software like **Scrivener** or **Dabble** , Rowling prefers the straightforward functionality of Word combined with her handwritten planning. Would you like me to compare Rowling’s approach with other famous authors’ writing software choices (like Stephen King with Word \+ Final Draft, or Brandon Sanderson with Dabble)? That could give you a sense of how her style differs from others.

J.K. Rowling is famously known for combining traditional methods with standard digital tools: * **Pen and Paper / Hand-Drawn Grids:** For outlining and plotting her novels (most famously seen in her grid for _Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix_), she prefers a completely analog approach - using hand-drawn spreadsheets, tables, and notebooks to map out character arcs, chapters, and plots. * **Microsoft Word:** For actual drafting and word processing on her computer, she has traditionally used **Microsoft Word**. [J.K. Rowling revealed how she plans her books on Twitter. Take](https://mashable.com/article/jk-rowling-twitter-novel-planning-advice#:~:text=Thanks%20for%20signing%20up!%20This%20Tweet%20is,cool%2C%20J.K.%20This%20Tweet%20is%20currently%20unavailable.) * **Hardware:** She has noted using a Windows laptop during parts of her career and a **MacBook Air** for mobile writing. [What software does J.K. Rowling use to write her books?](https://www.craigweiland.com/?p=118#:~:text=Tap%20to%20unmute.%20Your%20browser%20can't%20play,now%20uses%20a%20MacBook%20Air%20to%20write.)

_J.K. Rowling_ has traditionally been known for hand-writing her drafts and plotting in paper notebooks, but she has increasingly incorporated digital tools into her workflow. [Tools of the Trade to Supercharge Your Writing |](https://writersinthestormblog.com/2021/11/tools-of-the-trade-to-supercharge-your-writing/)[JK Rowling now plans her novels on laptop spreadsheets](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jk-rowling-now-plans-her-185457886.html) * * **Word Processing:** She uses standard word processing software - specifically **Microsoft Word** on a laptop (she has noted using a MacBook Air in recent years) for writing and compiling her manuscripts. [What software does J.K. Rowling use to write her books?](https://www.craigweiland.com/?p=118) * **Spreadsheet Software:** For outlining and plotting her novels (such as the _Cormoran Strike_ series), she transitioned from hand-drawn tables in physical notebooks to **digital spreadsheets**. She uses these spreadsheets with color-coded columns to track different story strands, using specific colors like blue for clues and other indicators for red herrings. [Yahoo] * If you're interested in the writing setups of famous authors, I can share how other writers use dedicated software like **Scrivener** or **Plottr** compared to Rowling's minimalist approach.

She uses color-coded spreadsheets on a laptop to plan her novels, with clues highlighted in blue. Reports also show her using Microsoft Word to draft, though the available sources don’t confirm whether that’s her current writing software.([yahoo.com][1])([craigweiland.com][2]) [1]: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jk-rowling-now-plans-her-185457886.html "JK Rowling now plans her novels on laptop spreadsheets - Yahoo" [2]: https://www.craigweiland.com/?p=118 "What software does J.K. Rowling use to write her books?"