Free template · Writing & Storytelling
Beat Sheet Template
A beat sheet lists the key turning points of a story in order, from the opening image to the final scene, with where each should land in the book or script. Writers use it to check pacing and structure before drafting, and to fix a sagging middle during revision.
Who it's for: Screenwriters, novelists and anyone outlining a story with a three-act structure.
Free, no email needed. Google Sheets: download the .xlsx, then File > Import > Upload.
Preview
These are the real columns with example rows. Click Try it here to type your own rows and download them.
| # | Beat | Purpose | Target % | Page or chapter | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opening image | Show the world before change | 1% | p. 1 / Ch. 1 | Nia plays to an empty bar | Drafted |
| 2 | Theme stated | Someone hints at the lesson | 5% | p. 5 / Ch. 1 | June: 'Songs aren't yours till you share them' | Drafted |
| 3 | Set-up | Introduce the cast and stakes | 1-10% | p. 1-10 / Ch. 1-2 | Nia's routine, debts, rivalry with Tam | Outlined |
| 4 | Catalyst | The event that forces change | 10% | p. 12 / Ch. 3 | Nia's song is stolen on live radio | Outlined |
| 5 | Debate | The hero resists | 10-20% | p. 12-25 / Ch. 3-4 | Nia refuses to join the festival | Idea |
| 6 | Break into two | The hero commits | 20% | p. 25 / Ch. 5 | Nia signs up, needing a band | Idea |
| 7 | Midpoint | False win or false loss, stakes rise | 50% | p. 55 / Ch. 12 | Band goes viral, then the thief sues | Idea |
| 8 | All is lost | The lowest point | 75% | p. 75 / Ch. 18 | Tam quits, festival slot pulled | Idea |
| 9 | Finale | The hero acts on the lesson | 80-99% | p. 85-108 / Ch. 20-24 | Nia shares the stage and credit | Idea |
What goes in each column
| Column | What goes in it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| # | Beat order | 5 |
| Beat | Name of the story beat | Catalyst |
| Purpose | What this beat must do | The event that forces change |
| Target % | Where it lands in the story | 10% |
| Page or chapter | Your planned location | p. 12 / Ch. 3 |
| What happens | Your story's version of this beat | Nia's song is stolen on live radio |
| Status | Idea, Outlined, Drafted, Revised | Outlined |
Why these columns: The beat names follow a widely used 15-beat screenwriting structure, and the percentages come from the same tradition. They are guidelines, not rules; the value is seeing when your midpoint lands at 70% instead of 50%.
How to use it in 5 steps
- Write one sentence for the Catalyst, Midpoint and All is lost beats first. They carry the structure.
- Fill the remaining beats between them.
- Set Page or chapter from your target length using Target %.
- Draft scene by scene under each beat, updating Status as you go.
- In revision, compare where beats actually landed against Target %. Big gaps show pacing problems.
Spreadsheet, dedicated software, or Notion?
| Option | Best for | Falls short when |
|---|---|---|
| This spreadsheet | Fast structure check with percentages | No room for scenes under each beat |
| Index cards or a corkboard | Rearranging scenes by hand | Hard to share, easy to lose |
| Notion version | Beats linked to scenes, chapters and characters | Needs Notion |
If the free spreadsheet does everything you need, stick with it. The Notion version is for when you want the pieces connected.
Want it connected? Screenwriter OS: Screenplay Planner
The spreadsheet is one table. The Notion system links it to everything around it:
- Beats linked to scenes and characters
- Script or manuscript progress tracked per scene
- Submission and draft tracking in the same place
- Novelists: the Novelist OS covers plot, chapters and publishing
See Screenwriter OS: Screenplay Planner
Also a fit: Novelist & Book Writer OS
Instant duplicate link after purchase.
Questions
How many beats are in a beat sheet?
The most common version has 15. Some writers use a simpler 7 or 9; the sheet works with any number of rows.
Does a beat sheet work for novels?
Yes. Swap page numbers for chapters or percentage of word count.
Is a beat sheet the same as an outline?
A beat sheet is the skeleton; an outline adds scenes under each beat.
Do I have to hit the exact percentages?
No. They are a guide. Use them to spot problems, not to force the story.