How to Apply Subtitles in Descript: A Step-by-Step Guide

descript tutorial Mar 13, 2024

Are you looking to add subtitles to your videos using Descript? In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step by step. Subtitles, also known as captions in Descript, can be added to enhance the accessibility and understanding of your video content.

Here's how to add subtitles in Descript!


Step 1: Transcribing Your Video
Before adding subtitles, you need to transcribe your video. This process involves converting the spoken words in your video into text. Here's how to do it:
Drag your video into your Descript project.
You'll receive a transcribe dialogue box asking you about the language and the number of speakers in the video.
Once the transcription is complete, you can proceed to add subtitles.


Step 2: Adding Subtitles
To add subtitles to your video, follow these steps:
Click on the 'T' icon at the top middle of the screen.
Navigate to the 'captions' option.
Unlike titles, captions move with your transcript, displaying the spoken content in sync with the video.
You can even open the timeline to view the captions layer, which can be expanded to cover the entire video or specific scenes.


Step 3: Customizing Subtitles
Descript offers various customization options for subtitles, allowing you to personalize the appearance and style of the captions. Here's what you can customize:
Font: You can change the font type, style (bold, italic), size, alignment, and letter case (all caps, camel case).
Position: You can adjust the size, position, and orientation of the subtitles on the screen.
Style: You can add effects such as karaoke (highlighting active words), change word color and opacity, and add a shadow effect.


Step 4: Finalizing Your Subtitles
Once you've customized the appearance and style of your subtitles, it's time to finalize them. Ensure that the subtitles are legible, synchronized with the spoken content, and enhance the overall viewing experience.


Why Subtitles are Important


Adding subtitles to your videos has various benefits, such as:
- Accessibility: Subtitles make your content accessible to individuals with hearing impairments or those who prefer to watch videos with the sound off.
- Improved Understanding: Subtitles help viewers better understand the spoken content, especially if the speaker has an accent or if there are complex terms involved.
- SEO Benefits: Including subtitles in your videos can improve their search engine optimization (SEO) by making the video content more discoverable.
- Enhanced User Experience: Subtitles enhance the overall user experience by providing a visual aid that complements the audio content.

In conclusion, adding subtitles in Descript is a simple yet powerful way to make your video content more inclusive and engaging. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively add subtitles to your videos and ensure that your content reaches a wider audience while delivering a superior viewing experience.


We hope this guide has been helpful in understanding how to add subtitles in Descript. For more tutorials and tips on Descript features, be sure to subscribe to our channel!

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