I've gotten a lot of scripts in unusual formatting and while I applaud anyone who can churn out a good story, it really, really helps when the screenwriter uses industry format.  I thought this article Best free Cloud-based Script writing Online Tools was useful information. Weigh in on what you're using.

- Don

Yep, I've noticed a few of those scripts where it's kinda take a stab in the dark, this'll do, and whew are they hard to get through.

With all the resources out there these days there's really no excuse to go rogue.

I still use Final Draft - on 11, so not cloud-based.

The thing is, even with software Newbs need to look at what a properly formatted script looks like on the page.

Another good link with freebies:
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/free-screenwriting-software/

I use Trelby because I am just a hobbyist hoping one day to hit on something good.  You never know.

Don, I know you can't just share people's work, but would it be possible for you to recreate some of this odd formatting for us to see?  The reason I ask is, I'm curious what someone might actually do with all the available resources describing proper format.  It's one thing to use the wrong font, like Courier New, but strange formatting?  As said, I'm very curious.

Quoted from steven8 I use Trelby because I am just a hobbyist hoping one day to hit on something good.  You never know. Don, I know you can't just share people's work, but would it be possible for you to recreate some of this odd formatting for us to see?  The reason I ask is, I'm curious what someone might actually do with all the available resources describing proper format.  It's one thing to use the wrong font, like Courier New, but strange formatting?  As said, I'm very curious.

I'm curious you've never cracked one open? Clearly you're not providing enough feedback.  :D

Most of the time the errors occur because people are not using the available resources, or they've never read up on, nor seen what a script should look like, according to Industry Standard.. Even with the resources people can go a bit haywire or make up their own method.

Examples:
All Caps in dialogue or action, margins off or no margins, dialogue not indented but action lines are indented, ten sentence action/ description paragraphs, different fonts, crazy indenting, slugs with no spaces or too many - dashes and periods inconsistent, crazy use of ellipses, no time of day, crazy CUT TOs everywhere, scene numbers included, no punctuation, incorrect use of parentheticals, and the list goes on.

Quoted from LC I'm curious you've never cracked one open? Clearly you're not providing enough feedback.  :D Most of the time the errors occur because people are not using the available resources, or they've never read up on, nor seen what a script should look like, according to Industry Standard.. Even with the resources people can go a bit haywire or make up their own method. Examples: All Caps in dialogue or action, margins off or no margins, dialogue not indented but action lines are indented, ten sentence action/ description paragraphs, different fonts, crazy indenting, slugs with no spaces or too many - dashes and periods inconsistent, crazy use of ellipses, no time of day, crazy CUT TOs everywhere, scene numbers included, no punctuation, incorrect use of parentheticals, and the list goes on.

While it is true that I have not provided enough feedback, of all the scripts I have read, the worst I can remember seeing was bad punctuation, or perhaps it was apparent English was not the writer's first language, which is not a formatting issue, just hard to understand.  I have seen some very long description/action paragraphs.  I've never seen crazy fonts or really goofy indenting or margins.  Dialogue not indented but action lines are?  Wow.

Quoted from steven8 I use Trelby because I am just a hobbyist hoping one day to hit on something good.  You never know. Don, I know you can't just share people's work, but would it be possible for you to recreate some of this odd formatting for us to see?  The reason I ask is, I'm curious what someone might actually do with all the available resources describing proper format.  It's one thing to use the wrong font, like Courier New, but strange formatting?  As said, I'm very curious.

My standard is not 100% and I have let some odd formatting on the site.  My gauge is, can I get through the first few pages with out being too distracted by the formatting.

Some culprits are:

All text centered.
All Caps
Dialogue from margin to margin
No title page (I'm starting to kick back scripts without title page with contact info and copyright statements)
Weird fonts
Excessive camera direction

There are, however, a number of examples of me letting stuff slip through.  Usually it is because the story is good and I think the community will help the individual with formatting so it isn't distracting from the story.  

Essentially, if the formatting is close to industry standard and readable, I'll post it.

*Quentin Tarantino: My biggest annoyance is the person who tells me that Tarantino didn't use industry format.  If you are the director of the film and/or can get folks to read your script and buy into your story, great.  Do what you want, but if I can't read it, I'm not putting it up.

- Don  

This is a page from Ethan Coen and his wife Tricia's script Runaway Dykes. IMO, it's easy to see how some newer writers can get confused about formatting rules.

https://ibb.co/b2gWWTb

I believe that new writers give excessive camera directions for 2 reasons - 1) They think it shows they know what they are talking about and 2) They're afraid a director will mess up their creation.  It just comes from not knowing how the system works.  I can tell you, when I started writing my first script pages, it felt so neat writing "ANGLE ON" and "CUT TO", because I'd learned those things from websites and read shooting scripts.  I didn't know they were different from spec scripts at the time.  But writing that stuff makes you feel like your actually doing it, you know?

Now, everything centered, all caps, weird fonts and dialog margin to margin?  That's just got to be folks wanting to be the one who 'breaks the mold'.  In today's world, it only takes a few clicks to find out not to do any of that.  When I was in college at the Art Institute, we were all going to be the ones who 'broke the rules' and blazed the trail.  Not like those old fuddy-duddies who talked about fitting into the system.  I totally get it.  It happens, but it is very rare, and most folks can't buck the system, until they get in and become entrenched.  It's just the reality of it all.

Then Grandma Bear, you have to explain to them that they aren't exactly Ethan Coen yet.  Go look at some Alan Moore comic book scripts.  All CAPS with like no discernible punctuation.  He can do that because he is Alan Moore.

My opinion, which has changed over time, is that there are NO set rules as there is no rulebook or fully accepted standard used in Hollywood or any other film industry.

There are however accepted 'norms' which every decent screenwriting software will help a writer with, cloud based or otherwise, it's always advisable to follow these.

However, if you want to use a the occasional 'we see' or have an orphan, or BOLD sluglines, so be it... if the story is complelling enough then a Producer will keep reading... the people who seem to be most hung up on these formatting 'rules' are often other writers... who are rarely the ones looking to take a script and film it.

But hey, other opinions are available and valid ;-)

Quoted from Don I've gotten a lot of scripts in unusual formatting and while I applaud anyone who can churn out a good story, it really, really helps when the screenwriter uses industry format.  I thought this article Best free Cloud-based Script writing Online Tools was useful information. Weigh in on what you're using. - Don

I used to be a Final Draft guy but the version I had a few years back kept lagging and glitching on me, so I gave Trelby a try. It doesn't have as many bells and whistles as FD or a lot of other premium programs, but while it may not have all the features a writer wants, it does have all the features a writer needs. And it's totally free, so aces. I've been using it pretty much exclusively ever since.

As for formatting guidelines, I'm with Don. There are formatting standards for a reason, and that reason is to weed out bad writers from good. No, you don't have to adhere religiously to them 100% of the time. You are allowed to break a rule here and there. Just don't overdo it, otherwise you're signaling to the reader that you don't care if your script looks professional -- which will in turn make the reader think you probably don't care about story structure, characterization or anything else a professional would take the time to learn, either.

Knowing format will only help you. Not knowing it will only hurt you. Kind of a no-brainer.

Had the best luck with Arcstudiopro.