# Donna

## Donna

Donna helps legal teams work with DOCX and PDF documents faster.\
Use it to edit, compare, search, and collaborate in one workspace.

### Getting started

#### Install Donna

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Download the app

Download the latest release from [withdonna.com/download](https://withdonna.com/download).

* **macOS:** Apple Silicon (`arm64`) and Intel (`x64`)
* **Windows:** `.exe` installer
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Run the installer

Open the installer and follow the prompts.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Launch Donna

On first launch, Donna shows a short onboarding tour.

It covers:

* opening a directory
* opening a file
* switching between documents
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Sign in

Sign in with your work email.

Donna uses secure passwordless authentication.\
You receive a one-time link or code.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Donna updates automatically in the background. You’ll get a prompt when a new version is ready to install.
{% endhint %}

### Core features

#### Document editing

* **DOCX editor** — Edit Word documents with tracked changes, comments, tables, styles, and formatting preserved on save.
* **PDF viewer** — View, annotate, search, and redact PDFs.
* **Tabs and split panes** — Open multiple documents side by side and compare them visually.
* **Bookmarks** — Save frequently used workspaces and reopen them in one click.

#### Workflow tools

* **Document comparison** — Redline two DOCX files to review insertions, deletions, and formatting changes.
* **Definitions** — Highlight defined terms across a document and jump between occurrences.
* **Workspace search** — Search an entire folder with natural language queries and jump to the exact passage.
* **Selective file opening** — Choose which files to include in a workspace to keep results focused.

#### Collaboration

* **DMS integration** — Browse your firm’s NetDocuments or iManage repository and open DOCX or PDF files without leaving Donna.

### Common tasks

#### Open files

* **From your computer:** Use **File → Open** or drag a DOCX or PDF into the window.
* **From a folder:** Use **File → Open Folder** to load a directory as a workspace.
* **From DMS:** Click the DMS button, then sign in and browse.

#### Edit a document

1. Double-click a DOCX file in the sidebar.
2. Use the toolbar or standard keyboard shortcuts.
3. Donna saves changes automatically to the original file location.

Keyboard shortcuts:

* **macOS:** `⌘B`, `⌘I`, `⌘U`
* **Windows:** `Ctrl+B`, `Ctrl+I`, `Ctrl+U`

#### Split the view

1. Drag a tab into the new pane.
2. Drag the divider to resize both panes.

#### Compare documents

1. Open both DOCX files.
2. Click **Compare** in the toolbar.
3. Select the two documents.
4. Review the generated redline.

#### Search a workspace

1. Open a folder as a workspace.
2. Click the **Search** icon in the activity bar.
3. Enter a query.
4. Click a result to open the source at that location.

Example query:

* `termination for convenience`

### Troubleshooting

#### The app won’t open or crashes on launch

* Confirm you’re using **macOS 12+** or **Windows 10/11**.
* Quit the app fully, then relaunch it.
* On macOS, use `⌘Q` instead of closing the window.
* Reinstall the latest version from [withdonna.com/download](https://withdonna.com/download).

#### Updates aren’t installing

* Restart Donna to trigger an update check.
* On macOS, confirm Donna can write to `/Applications`.
* If you see an update banner but nothing happens, quit and relaunch Donna.

#### A document won’t open

* Make sure the file is not open in another app.
* Confirm the file extension is `.docx` or `.pdf`.
* Convert legacy `.doc` files to `.docx` first.
* If the file is on a network drive, copy it locally and try again.

#### Workspace search returns no results

* Initial indexing can take a few minutes for large folders.
* Confirm you selected at least one file in the workspace tree.
* Search supports up to **100 documents** per workspace.

#### Sign-in issues

* Check your inbox and spam folder for the sign-in email.
* If the magic link expired, request a new one from the sign-in screen.

### System requirements

* **macOS:** 12 Monterey or later, Apple Silicon or Intel
* **Windows:** 10 or 11, 64-bit
* **Memory:** 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended
* **Network:** Required for sign-in, updates, live collaboration, and workspace search

### Support

Need help? Reach out anytime.

* **Help Center:** <https://docs.withdonna.com/help-center>
* **Email:** <hello@withdonna.com>
* **Release notes:** <https://docs.withdonna.com/changelog>

***

Donna is a product of Donna Technologies. © 2026 All rights reserved.
