# Roman Numbered Chapters **URL:** \ **Category:** Scrivener\ **Tags:** support, compile, placeholders\ **Created:** [September 7, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220 "2025-09-07T17:03:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/42 "2025-09-12T14:52:46Z")
Yes, I am the same way, though I tend to add compile settings while I’m writing, as I need to. If I think of a way I want to format a section or some text, for example, I will make the style or section type, and immediately go and set up the layout or styles settings. That way things always work, from A to Z, rather than having a big list of things I need to now do, based on half-forgotten styles I made months ago. 🙂 I don’t understand the follow-up question, sorry. Maybe it will be easier to see how it works in practice though, rather than just thinking about it in theory. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/43 "2025-09-12T14:53:58Z")
Would it help if I sent one of my compile formats + an example file? ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/44 "2025-09-12T16:16:16Z")
Here’s an example project filled with Lorem Ipsum text + one of my compile formats (this was for a _different project_, BTW) [test [Example].zip](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/uploads/short-url/mTdHEQZloaDpW588j1uXRLqlwW5.zip) (52.7 KB) [ASOIAF Style.scrformat](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/uploads/short-url/4ZfFHOd8ulyT54XRFdUK9qBweJU.scrformat) (16.1 KB) [The compile format if you want to have a look] ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/45 "2025-09-12T17:35:20Z")
Thanks! So the main problem is that I don’t see any of the approaches we’ve discussed, either in the settings or when I compile (to make sure I was not missing something). What I see is the use of the \<$W\> placeholder, which produces “One”, “Two”, “Three”, but you’ve stated wanting to use \<$R\> above, so I’m not clear on why it is being used. I don’t see the other placeholder that you said was printing as text instead of turning into a number. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/46 "2025-09-12T17:40:03Z")
I must have used a different compile format in my test! Oops! I’ll try and recreate yours again and attach. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/47 "2025-09-13T13:22:19Z")
@AmberV: I created a new test file + compile and the numbering works (thanks to copy-pasting your placeholder), but how do I add a subtitle (like “_The Ward of the Crown_”)? Attached is a ZIP with the project so you can look. [test.zip](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/uploads/short-url/hrJbKAhqP39ZGkq0sX4yVpKC8zM.zip) (39.9 KB) ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/48 "2025-09-13T13:46:13Z")
Yup, that looks much better! I would give the method I described in [this post above](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/40) a try. That will do what you want if you switch to using the folder titles for the subtitle, and the Label feature for POV. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/49 "2025-09-13T13:47:13Z")
Could you explain a bit more about that works? Being neurodivergent is a pain sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/50 "2025-09-13T14:00:50Z")
No worries! I am the same, so I get it. Here is a modified version of your example project, that uses labels for POV instead of folder names. This will I think be more useful for you anyway, rather than having dozens of folders all named the same. [using\_labels\_for\_numbered\_pov.zip](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/uploads/short-url/uZnfHSz4fVpqm3MBh9BHhD63JC.zip) (43.9 KB) Notes: - When you open the project, the first folder will be selected, and the inspector is open, so you can see where to easily change the POV marker on new folders. - I used the `View ▸ Use POV Color in ▸ Icons` menu command to colour code the binder. I like that choice because it shows up everywhere the icon does, but there are other useful options in there as well. - To add new POV entries, use `Project ▸ Project Settings...` and click on the “Label” section. - You will see this is also where I changed the name of “Label” to “POV”. That’s mostly cosmetic in the software (it changed the menu name above). You still need to use the \<$label\> placeholder to print it. - To change a colour double-click on the little disc next to the label name. - In the compiler, double-click on the modified Format to see what I’ve done there. - Of note, the compiler settings for uppercase are buggy, so instead of using the Title checkbox in the top half, I’m using the \<$TITLE\> placeholder in the title suffix field. Typing a placeholder in all-caps like that forces the content it will print to all-caps, too—same for \<$LABEL\> in the prefix field. - Otherwise this is exactly what I typed above in the previous post, so no surprises. there. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/51 "2025-09-13T14:06:32Z")
I’ll have a look in more detail. Thanks for explaining. So using the labels, I can have as many POV characters as the story needs? ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/52 "2025-09-13T14:08:34Z")
Of course, just add them to that list I pointed you too in project settings! That is what the `+` button is for at the bottom. You can have dozens, and each one will have their own numbering stream automatically when compiled, starting from “I” on up. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/53 "2025-09-13T14:10:56Z")
Okay, thank you for _finally_ letting me in on a **proper** use for labels. I’ve never used them in eight years of using this software (on both Windows and Mac) 😁 ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/54 "2025-09-13T14:17:13Z")
It’s certainly one way! The label is one of my favourite tools because of how omnipresent the colour coding can be in the project—plus it is the only metadata field that has its own corkboard mode (`View ▸ Corkboard Options ▸ Arrange by Label` (or “Arrange by POV” in this case). For example, select Draft in the sample project and use that command. It’s so useful I sometimes even swap what I’m using labels for from one phase to the next. I’ll use it for status (red, yellow, green like for new, started, done) as that gives me an at-a-glance look at how well the outline is coming along. But after everything is green, I’ll switch over to using it for something else, maybe more detailed editing notes, or even topical assignments like this usage. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/55 "2025-09-13T14:25:47Z")
OOH, interesting. Legit, I’ve been using Scrivener since v2 (2017) and never found labels useful. The workflow you’re proposing might be easier on me xD ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/56 "2025-09-23T16:49:39Z")
I’m back with a different question: using the format outlined by @AmberV up above in the thread, how would I add a Prologue and Epilogue if needed ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/57 "2025-09-23T17:41:57Z")
I would start with [this recently updated thread](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-to-make-a-prologue-or-epilogue-without-it-being-treated-as-a-chapter/125302/4), and specifically the links described there. How you set up the numbering of things isn’t as relevant as how to _not_ number some things, when you otherwise are. The concept behind that, and the means to establish abnormal titling, are fairly universal. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/58 "2025-09-23T19:46:39Z")
@AmberV: Would making a new section type (+ section layout) and using a label work? ---
**Author:** ![AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/amberv/32/13021_2.png) [@AmberV](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/AmberV)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/59 "2025-09-23T21:01:27Z")
I suppose, if you need to show the POV of the prologue or epilogue? It’s up to you, if that’s something that will be a factor, you might as well since it is set up to do so. ---
**Author:** ![eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/eliamartin65/32/38876_2.png) [@eliamartin65](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/eliamartin65)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 9:53am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/60 "2025-09-24T09:53:24Z")
Not exactly showing the POV, but giving it a subtitle. ---
**Author:** ![GoalieDad](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/user_avatar/forum.literatureandlatte.com/goaliedad/32/28584_2.png) [@GoalieDad](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/GoalieDad)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220/61 "2025-09-24T18:16:32Z")
You could include the POV per chapter, epilogue, whatever if you use custom metadata. You can insert a placeholder with custom metadata that pulls in the label for the chapter or scene. If you use labels for the Scene, Chapter Pov you could see their name under the title of the scene or the Chapter heading. I have created a page with different Compile Format results and how I got there to help others and encourage others to share solutions that have worked for them on this site. It is at [Can we create a compile format share page or section - #3 by GoalieDad](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/can-we-create-a-compile-format-share-page-or-section/149175/3) [Previous page](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/roman-numbered-chapters/150220.md?page=4)