How to Edit Video Using Text in Filmora

Key takeaways:

• Edit video by just editing the transcript 📝
• Fast for long talking videos
• No AI credits needed

Ever get stuck cutting out awkward pauses or words in a long video? Editing can feel like a chore, especially if you have hours of footage with just someone talking to the camera. But Filmora’s AI text-based editing flips the script—you can chop up your video just by deleting words from the transcript.

This guide shows you how to use the AI text-based editing feature in Filmora, so you can edit your video as easily as editing a doc. No more hunting through the timeline for that one section you want to cut. Let’s get into it.

What is AI Text-Based Editing in Filmora and Why Should You Care

Filmora’s AI text-based editing is a feature that transcribes your video, turning the spoken words into editable text. You see your whole script right there. Want to cut a word, a sentence, or a whole section? Just delete the text, and Filmora slices the video for you.

This is a lifesaver for long videos, interviews, podcasts, or any content with lots of talking. Instead of scrubbing through the timeline, you just scroll through the transcript. It’s like editing a Word doc, but your changes show up in the video.

And here’s a bonus: using this feature doesn’t eat up your AI credits, so you can use it as much as you want.

Getting Started: What You Need Before You Begin

• Latest version of Filmora (make sure you update)
• A video file with clear spoken audio
• Decent internet connection (for the transcription part)

If you’re not sure how to update Filmora, check out this how to update Filmora guide.

Step-by-Step: How to Edit Video Using Text in Filmora

1. Import Your Video and Add It to the Timeline

Open Filmora and drag your video into the timeline. This works best for videos where someone is talking straight to the camera, like a vlog, commentary, or tutorial.

2. Find the AI Text-Based Editing Feature

Look for the AI text-based editing option in the menu. Sometimes it’s right in the main menu, but if you don’t see it, check under other tabs or menus. The UI changes a bit with updates, so poke around if it’s not obvious.

3. Select Your Language

Pick the language that matches your video. For most, it’s English (US), but Filmora supports other languages too.

4. Generate the Transcript

Click Generate. Filmora will transcribe the audio. This can take a minute or two, depending on your video length and your computer’s speed.

5. Edit the Transcript

Now you’ll see the whole transcript. Scroll through and find the part you want to cut. Select the text and hit backspace (or delete). Filmora will cut that section out of your video.

You can do this over and over—delete filler words, awkward pauses, or whole sections. Each time you delete text, that part of the video disappears.

6. Preview Your Changes

Play the video back. You’ll notice the sections you cut are gone. Sometimes you’ll see a jump cut, especially if you cut something in the middle of a sentence. That’s normal for this style.

If you want smoother transitions, you can always add a transition effect later. Here’s a quick how to add transition in Filmora if you need it.

7. Export to Timeline

Once you’re happy with your edits, click Export to Timeline. This applies all your text-based edits to the video track.

8. Clean Up Extra Captions

Sometimes Filmora adds captions or extra text layers after exporting. If you don’t want them, just delete those layers from the timeline.

9. Final Touches

Now you can do your usual video edits—add music, overlays, color grading, whatever you like. If you want to polish your video even more, check out tips for how to improve video quality in Filmora.

10. Export Your Finished Video

Once you’re done, export your video as usual. You’re ready to upload, share, or keep editing.

Tips for Better Results with AI Text-Based Editing

• Make sure your audio is clear—background noise can mess up the transcript.
• If you cut a lot, you might get choppy jump cuts. Use transitions or b-roll to smooth things out.
• For videos with multiple speakers or lots of background noise, double-check the transcript for mistakes.

Want to add text overlays or captions? Here’s a guide on how to add text in Filmora.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

• Transcript isn’t accurate: Try cleaning up your audio or speaking more clearly in the original video.
• Can’t find the AI text-based editing menu: Update Filmora, or check different menus. Sometimes it moves after an update.
• Cuts look awkward: Try trimming a little more or less, or add a transition.
• Extra captions show up: Just delete them from the timeline after exporting.

If you’re new to editing or want something even simpler, check out this top free simple video editor software for beginner.

Why Use Text-Based Editing Instead of Traditional Timeline Editing?

Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Text-Based Editing	Timeline Editing
Speed	Fast for talking videos	Slower for long videos
Precision	Great for spoken word	Great for visuals/music
Learning curve	Super easy	Takes practice
Best for	Interviews, vlogs, talks	Music videos, montages

If you’re editing a talking-head video, podcast, or lecture, text-based editing is a huge time saver. For music videos or anything with lots of visual cuts, timeline editing might still be better.

FAQs

How do I enable AI text-based editing in Filmora?

Make sure you’re on the latest version, then look for the AI text-based editing option in the menu. If you can’t find it, update your software and check again.

Does using AI text-based editing cost extra credits?

Nope, this feature doesn’t use up your AI credits, so you can use it as much as you want.

Can I edit out just a single word or do I have to cut whole sentences?

You can delete a single word, a phrase, or a whole section—whatever you select in the transcript will be cut from the video.

What if the transcript is wrong?

If the transcript has mistakes, double-check your audio quality. You can also manually adjust the transcript before cutting.

Can I still use timeline editing after using text-based editing?

Yes, after exporting to the timeline, you can keep editing your video the traditional way—add effects, transitions, or anything else you want.

Ready to make editing less of a headache? Try out Filmora’s AI text-based editing and see how much time you save. If you want to go deeper, check out how to make a zoom effect in Filmora or how to rotate video in Filmora for more creative tricks. 🎬✨