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Word count not updating when text is pasted in
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Rayna O'BryanSep 9, 2026
Some of my writing requires formatting that I can only do in Google Docs, so I draft those sections there and paste the finished text into my Novlr manuscript. The problem is Novlr doesn't count pasted text toward my word count. This means my daily/session goals don't reflect the 500-1,000+ words I've actually added, which makes it hard to track progress accurately and stay motivated.
It would be great if Novlr recalculated the word count whenever text is pasted in, so goal tracking stays accurate regardless of how the words were added.
Comments
Hi Rayna. Pasted text absolutely does count toward word count. But it doesn't count toward words written. Only words actively written on the platform are calculated in words written stats.
All words written in Novlr, whether they be in a manuscript or in notes, all count toward you words written totals. Pasted and imported words don't. Words written total are therefore always additive.
Word counts, on the other hand can rise and fall based on the live total of words within your manuscript. Pasted and imported words will add to the word count, while deletions will reduce it. Notes are also not included in this.
I hope that helps!
Pamela Koehne-Drube that makes sense for internal metrics, but I think it highlights a gap for writers using Novlr as their actual writing tool. "Words Written" ends up tracking activity in the app rather than real progress on a project, so work done elsewhere (even when it's original writing, just formatted in another program) never counts toward goals or streaks. Would it be possible to let daily goals optionally track "Word Count" instead of "Words Written," for situations like this? That way the stat that matters for motivation reflects actual manuscript progress, regardless of where the words were typed.
Goals are already custom, so you can set them to track word counts for your project if that is your preference. Pasting words into a project with a goal set to track word count will update and give you the success toasts, so you can absolutely track progress on a project.
We have made goals and habits distinct for this reason. The habit automatically tracks writing done in Novlr based on the words written stat, but goals based on word counts are already available if you do a lot of writing outside Novlr and copy those words in.
A big reason why habits aren't tracked by word count, is because not every piece of writing you do that can help build a habit will be additive. For instance, doing world building in a note is still a part of the writing process that contributes to forming a writing habit, but does not contribute to the word count of your manuscript.
Tracking word counts for habits, on the other hand, would mean that there will always be a failure point for your streak. As soon as you start editing, or have days when you're building characters in your notes rather than writing in your manuscript, your streak will end or you'll be forced to add arbitrary word counts in order to keep your progress. This isn't condusive to building sustainable habits, which is why we chose the route we did.
Pamela Koehne-Drube Ok thank you! That's well thought out, I'm still fairly new and hadn't picked on that so thanks for clarifying for me.
My absolute pleasure! We're always happy to answer questions on our thinking, so I'm glad I could help :)