Frequently Asked Questions

Import and setup

My chapters aren't being detected correctly. Everything is in one chapter.

Your chapter headings in Word are probably formatted manually (bold text, larger font size) rather than using Word's built-in Heading 1 style. Stet reads heading styles from your document, so it can't reliably detect chapters from visual formatting alone.

Fix: open your document in Word, click each chapter title, and apply the Heading 1 style from the Styles panel on the Home tab. Then re-import into Stet.

Alternatively, use the Chapter Detection correction in Stet to mark headings manually after import.

Stet detected things as chapters that aren't chapters: subheadings, pull quotes, etc.

Use the Chapter Detection correction to review the structure. In the wizard, set those items to Merge to fold them back into the previous chapter, or to Part if they're section dividers.

My front matter (copyright page, dedication, etc.) is showing up as chapters.

This can happen if your front matter isn't clearly separated from the main text, or if it uses heading styles that Stet doesn't recognise as front matter.

Fix: right-click the incorrectly classified chapter in the sidebar and choose Move to Front Matter, then select the correct type.

Does Stet modify my original Word document?

Never. Stet makes a copy of your manuscript when you import it. The original .docx is stored inside your .stet project file and is never touched. You can always re-import from your original if anything goes wrong.

Formatting and templates

Can I use my own fonts?

Yes. Click the font name next to Chapter Headings or Body Text in the sidebar to open the font picker. Any font installed on your Mac is available.

If you have a font file that isn't installed system-wide, expand Advanced at the bottom of the font picker and click Import Font File to add it directly to your project.

Only use fonts you are licensed to embed in published files.

Kindle is ignoring my custom font.

This is expected. Kindle uses its own font rendering system and overrides custom fonts in all ebooks, regardless of the tool used to create them. This is the same behaviour in Vellum, Atticus, and every other book formatting tool.

Your custom fonts will display correctly in Apple Books, Kobo, and most other ebook readers.

Can I customise a template?

Yes. Below the template picker in the sidebar, the Style section gives you four controls: Scene Breaks, Chapter Numbers, Chapter Label, and Chapter Opener. These let you tweak any template without switching to a different one. A dot appears next to the template name when you've made changes, and a Reset link restores the defaults. Choosing a different template also resets your customisations.

The chapter numbers in the Non-Fiction template look wrong.

The Non-Fiction template uses automatic chapter numbering. If your chapter count seems off, check for any parts or front matter sections being counted as chapters. Use the Chapter Detection correction to review the structure.

There's too much space above/below the chapter title.

This is controlled by the template. Stet's templates are designed to match industry standards for the chosen genre. If the spacing doesn't suit your book, try a different template. The preview updates instantly so you can compare.

My chapters look wrong in the preview, and the structure doesn't match my book.

Open the Chapter Detection correction at the top of the Style & Checks panel and click Review. The wizard lets you reclassify any detected heading as a chapter, a part, or merge it into the previous chapter. Chapter Detection can be reopened and reapplied at any time. It's always reversible with ⌘Z.

Checks and corrections

A check is flagging something that's intentional in my book.

Dismiss it by clicking the × next to the check. Dismissed checks are remembered in your project and won't appear again unless you restore them.

The Smart Quotes correction flipped a quote the wrong way.

Open the Smart Quotes correction and use the diff view to review each change. Skip any instances where the direction is wrong. This can happen near em dashes, nested quotes, or unusual punctuation patterns.

I accepted a correction and something looks wrong. Can I undo it?

Yes. Press ⌘Z immediately after applying. Every correction registers a single undo action, so one ⌘Z reverses the entire correction.

Can I edit the text directly in Stet?

Chapter titles can be edited directly in the sidebar. Double-click a chapter name to rename it. Full inline text editing (fixing typos, deleting paragraphs) is planned for a future update.

For now, fix prose errors in your original Word document and re-import. Stet is designed as a finishing tool that works best on a manuscript that's already been edited.

Export

Which format should I use for Amazon KDP?

• Ebook: EPUB 3
• Print: Print PDF, using the trim size that matches what you'll select in KDP's setup form

My Print PDF looks different from the preview.

The print preview in Stet is generated from the same code as the exported PDF, so what you see should match what you get. If there's a difference, check:

1. Is the trim size in Stet set to the correct size?
2. Did the preview fully load before you exported? (Wait for it to stop regenerating after making changes.)

IngramSpark rejected my PDF.

IngramSpark has specific requirements that vary by title type. Common issues:

• Trim size mismatch: your PDF trim size must exactly match the size you selected in IngramSpark. Even a fraction of a millimetre difference can cause rejection.
• PDF/X compliance: some IngramSpark titles require PDF/X-1a. Check their current requirements for your title type.

Can I export to MOBI for Kindle?

Amazon no longer accepts MOBI files. They switched to EPUB as their preferred format in 2022. Upload EPUB 3 to KDP for ebook distribution.

Project files

Where is my .stet file saved?

When you first import a manuscript, Stet asks where to save the project. The default location is your Documents folder. You can move the .stet file like any other file. Stet will find it from the recent documents list or you can open it directly.

Can I share a .stet file with someone else?

Yes. The .stet file contains everything: the manuscript copy, your corrections, your template and font choices, and any imported font files. Send the file and the recipient can open it in Stet on their Mac.

I lost my .stet file. Can I recover my work?

If you have your original .docx file, you can re-import it and redo your corrections. Corrections in Stet are non-destructive and fast. Most books can be re-formatted in under ten minutes.

If you have a backup of the .stet file (Time Machine, iCloud, Dropbox), restore from there.

Privacy

Does Stet send my manuscript anywhere?

No. Your manuscript is processed entirely on your Mac. Stet does not upload your text to any server, cloud service, or third-party API. Everything (import, corrections, preview rendering, and export) happens locally on your device.

Does Stet use AI?

No. Every check and correction in Stet is built on deterministic rules: pattern matching, typographic conventions, and document structure analysis. There are no language models, no machine learning, and no generative AI anywhere in the pipeline. When Stet flags a smart quote or detects a chapter break, it's applying a specific, predictable rule that you can review and override.

Compatibility

Which macOS versions does Stet support?

Stet requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later.

Is there a Windows version?

No. Stet is Mac-only. This allows us to use Mac-native technologies (Core Text for PDF rendering, AppKit for the interface) that produce higher quality output than cross-platform alternatives.

Can I use Stet with Scrivener?

Yes. Compile your Scrivener project to a .docx file first, then import into Stet. Make sure to set up your Scrivener compile settings to use proper heading styles for chapter titles (Heading 1).